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We’ve all seen it all over Instagram and Pinterest lately: Colour Drenching. It’s that moody, immersive look where the walls, the trim, the doors, and even the ceiling are all painted the exact same colour. It’s bold, it’s dramatic, and when it’s done right, it can make a room feel like a cozy, sophisticated hug.
But here’s the thing—as much as I love a good saturated hue, I see people making some expensive mistakes with this trend.
See Undertones Instantly
- Real Benjamin Moore paint chips
- All 9 neutral undertone families
- Compare directly to your fixed elements
Before you grab your paintbrush and dive headfirst into a gallon of moody green, you need to ask yourself: Does this actually work with my finishes? Or am I just creating a lot of work for myself to paint over next year?
In my latest video, I’m breaking down the “Dos and Don’ts” of colour drenching. I’ll show you:
Where it works, where it doesn’t, and why choosing the wrong “neutral” for your drenched room can make everything look “dirty” instead of “dreamy.”
Trends come and go, but a well-specified room is timeless. Let’s make sure your “drenched” space looks intentional, not like future regret.
Watch the video here:
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The Killam Colour System™ in Action
Before you colour drench a room, get clear on undertones and whether the look actually suits your space.
Related Posts
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My Colour Drenched Dining Room Reveal
Do’s and Don’ts on the Colour Drenching Trend
This is the best advice on color drenching I’ve heard or read. Thanks for explaining the reasons to or not to.
Great advice for anyone thinking about colour drenching. That being said, I personally hate colour drenching with every fiber of my being. Especially with darker colours. It immediately feels drab, outdated, and claustrophobic. Like all the light and positive energy just got sucked out of the room. And light colour drenching feels like a landlord special. I would, however, consider colour drenching in a light colour if my trim were skimpy and cheap looking (if I couldn’t afford to replace it). I don’t know why anyone would want beautiful expensive trim to disappear with color drenching. I guess to each their own.
I also wanted to add that I will always love a nice bright white ceiling, regardless of what colour the walls are.
The cost of repainting ceilings, walls, trim and doors should make everyone pause on the idea of all one color. I truly hate this idea of color drenching except in a powder room. Since I’m never going to be painting any room in my house in beige, I don’t have to worry about my white ceilings looking stark against my wall color. I think people who want to color drench have too much time on their hands and need to get out more. I refuse to listen to designers like that rude guy who said that white ceilings are “amateurish” and “ridiculous.” It brightens the room so I’m keeping my white ceilings, even the tray ceiling in my bedroom. That’s also all white.
Any chance you will be in the southern US anytime?
Brilliantly said as usual! Thank you for being a voice of reason when it comes to color and trends.
Thank you Maria for posting and putting your videos on utube. I love getting your emails to so I can keep up. I am not a designer but I love learning how I can have right paint color and how to decorate. If you were here closer I would have you help me. I was wondering do u have a post for how to decorate with pillows on leather couches and throws? My leather couches are brown/burgundy color. There old but I can’t afford new. And when I do replace them I’m struggling with what color to go with. I know what I like , but we have dogs that get on furniture. Any how how would I arrange pillows on a leather couches and throws and a leather loveseat?