Is colour drenching in or out for 2025?

Whether you're familiar with the term or not, you've probably seen images of colour drenching when browsing home interiors.

It involves 'drenching' your whole space, including the wall, radiator, skirting board and ceiling, in one colour or tone to create a bold statement. Styling a room in this way softens any harsh lines and makes for an integrated, cohesive feel.

Want to bring a dose of colour drenching to your living room design? Here's everything you'll need to consider, plus a few tips on the shades that work best.

Picking the right colour for you

Your living room is where you settle down for an evening, but also somewhere you can feel energised for lively hosting duties and daytime activities. It's important to take your time planning the colours that work in your space so you get the balance right.

The shade you choose can be just as important as the colour itself. For instance, vibrant blues can be energising, while softer, lighter blues create a serene feeling.

A tip for bringing balance is to use warm neutrals, such as creams and oatmeal tones. These can be matched with flashes of deep purple, dark blue, forest green or burgundy accents. This contrast can soothe you, while the vibrant pops add energy to your space.

What colours work well for a drenched design?

Still need some help choosing which shade to pick for your colour-drenched room? Let us help.

Darker colour-drenching ideas

• Stick with cooler colours: Blue is a key restful colour and has a range of shades you can incorporate. While blue is not a warm colour choice, midnight blue or navy can create a snug feel. Wooden furniture and mossy green accessories bring muted warmth to the space while keeping you feeling homely and grounded.
• Go bold with monochrome: This is an enduring design trend that will always be in style. While black and white is a classic choice, you may want to soften things by incorporating greys. This can be especially important in larger rooms, where leaning towards lighter whites with dramatic black accents is ideal. Incorporating black and grey in rugs, curtains and furniture can enhance a larger room and create a striking monochrome effect.

Complementary colour-drenching ideas

• Blue and orange: This combination is a classic. And for good reason. Blue and orange, when mixed, create a balance between hot and cold. For a toned-down look, pair blue walls with an orange-hue wooden floor. For something a little bolder, experiment with dark navy walls and burnt orange accessories.
• Green and red: While reminiscent of Christmas, there's no reason why you can't pair green and red together all year round! Green is associated with tranquillity and nature, so it's excellent if you're hoping to create a calming retreat. Natural elements like plants – as well as being good for your health– can enhance green tones, adding to a room's calming ambience. Red is a stimulating, warm colour, so use it in accents like pillows, throws or your favourite abstract artwork.
• Purple and yellow: Hear us out: purple and yellow can work. Honestly! Yes, it's brave, dynamic and stimulating. But it's more than that. Purple is linked to opulence – but also calmness. On the other hand, yellow is associated with happiness and energy. While it's not for the faint-hearted, this unique colour combination balances the calming effect of purple with the uplifting feel of yellow, creating a cohesive, all-encompassing scheme.
• Turquoise and coral: This combination is well-suited for beachside properties or tropical bedroom themes. Reminiscent of the clear blue waters of the Mediterranean, turquoise can be used anywhere: on your walls, bed linens or rugs. Blue is a fresh and soothing colour, so you won't go overboard when designing your room. Introduce coral tones in smaller doses via strategically placed cushions, prints or accents.

Bold colour-drenching styles for maximum impact

• Deep green: This versatile colour can be used to create a soothing, grounded environment, perfect for relaxation. Deep green pairs beautifully with natural tones like soft sand, rich browns and muted blues, making it an ideal match for dark wooden furniture or natural textures.
• Dark berry: Ranging from deep reds to rich purples and burgundy, these hues create intimacy in your room. Used across the entire room, dark berry shades add restful depth that encourages relaxation, making them a timeless choice for any lounge. Pairing dark berry with gold and copper accents elevates your space with a sense of refined splendour.
• Orange-pink: Nothing suggests calm like the glow of a sunset. It's the magic hour when the world slows down and looks most alluring, offering a moment to breathe and clear your mind. If you'd like to recreate that peaceful, rejuvenating feeling every day, incorporate orange-pink paint into your space. These colours evoke a sense of joy and peaceful energy with their warmth. Shades like terracotta, for example, conjure the relaxed, sun-kissed vibe of a beach holiday. Think sunsets on the Amalfi Coast, but in your room and without a complimentary limoncello!
• Coffee brown: This rich, inviting shade is the epitome of quiet luxury, offering a presence that feels both grounded and opulent. Coffee brown comes in a range of tones, both warm and cool, and can be matched with many furniture styles and tastes. The warm-toned variations of coffee brown pair beautifully with contemporary décor, especially when combined with natural materials like rattan, wood and earthy textures.

Colour-drenching design ideas

Once you've locked in the colour in which to drench your room, here's how to tie all the finer details together.

Play to the light

Consider the natural light in your space and the effect you want. Embrace your room's natural light levels and use colour drenching to enhance rather than play against it.

Instead of trying to make a small room feel spacious with light colours, opt for colour drenching in dark tones to create a cosy, cocooning effect. Complement the space with soft, warm lighting, such as table lamps, fairy lights and candles, for a subtle glow. Bright and airy rooms with plenty of natural light look best in matching hues, like neutrals or pastels.

Integrate natural materials

Different textures can add an air of sophistication and subtlety to your spaces and can break up blocks of colour. This creates interest while softening the look, without breaking up your one-colour scheme.

You might want to try wooden floors and rattan furniture, which can add warmth and balance to a space without taking away from the main aspect of your colour-drenching design. Choose a wooden chair or rattan stool for a touch of character that's not overbearing. The neutral colours of these natural materials complement any bold colour scheme and are versatile enough for any area of the home.

Incorporating plants brings nature indoors and freshens up a space. You might wish to choose a selection of different houseplants in a variety of sizes to keep the look from being too streamlined and formal.

Blend contrasting colours

Using various shades of one colour in a room is impactful, but some people quickly tire of the same look. If this sounds like you, then try blending contrasting colours to make a statement without limiting yourself.

You'll then need to decide how to incorporate your contrasting tone. Adding colourful fitted furniture can make a real impact against contrasting coloured walls, particularly in large spaces. You might wish to complement bold walls with lighter skirting boards or paint the door a vibrant tone for an interesting focal point.

If you like the idea of being able to change your contrasting colour scheme, you can include soft furnishings, such as rugs and cushions, in opposing bright tones to create texture and depth.

Experiment with colour drenching with Hammonds

We're here to help you bring your colour-drenching theme to life. Visit our experts for inspiration and advice.

You can also book a free design visit or request a free brochure and discover how colourful fitted furniture from Hammonds can help you achieve a new look in any space. Our experts can take a close look at the space you're working with and recommend ideas for creating the vibrant atmosphere you desire.