4 Paint Colors You Should Never Use for Color Drenching, According to Designers
Looking to pack some can’t-miss color into your room? Designers have recently embraced a phenomenon called “color-drenching,” where instead of outfitting a room in a variety of shades, they use one hue for everything. Walls? Upholstery? Window treatments? Yup, all the same color.
“Color drenching creates a cohesive look by removing the contrast of trim and allowing the single color, whether rich or neutral, to blur the room’s edges and create a continuous and consuming feeling that envelops you,” explains Melinda Kelson O’Connor, a designer based in Philadelphia.
This trend might give a room a cozy touch, but not all shades are drenchable. “Some colors lend themselves more to this approach than others, particularly when trying to emphasize the natural light or create a calm, atmospheric mood,” O’Connor notes. “It is as much about the hue as it is about the undertones, saturation, and luminance.”
Beauty lies in the eye of the homeowner, so you should ultimately pick a shade that you love that works with your space’s architectural details, natural sunlight, and vibe. O’Connor says it doesn’t hurt to test the color in a range of values and intensities before applying.
However, if you’re looking to whittle down your choice, here are a few shades designers say you can cross off your list.
Bright Yellow
Bright yellow is undeniably cheerful, but drenching an entire room in it? “That’s like staring into the sun all day: intense and overwhelming,” says Cheryl Clendenon, founder of In Detail Interiors in Pensacola, Florida. “The vibrancy of yellow reflects so much light that it can quickly shift from uplifting to downright blinding, especially in spaces meant for relaxation or focus.”
But just because lemon or highlighter yellow are a no-go doesn’t mean you have to totally write off yellow. For an atmospheric alternative, Clendenon recommends warmer shades of mustard. “These hues offer the warmth and joy of yellow but with a grounded richness that feels sophisticated when applied across walls, trim, and upholstery,” she explains. Bonus point: She says they play beautifully with natural textures and earthy accents, which will lay the groundwork for a balanced, inviting space.
Gray
“A medium tone color for drenching — particularly cool colors like gray — can land flat and quickly lose its interesting wow factor,” says Kristyn Gerth, founder of Ash + Oak Interiors in Montreal. Instead, Gerth says to stay clear of cool-toned and try your luck with warmer shades, which are poised to be all the rage in 2025.
“If you’re thinking of a neutral drench, consider steering toward those with a warm, reddish undertone,” she suggests. “If you’re going deep and saturated, stay with dark warm blues and green, or [a darker] red that leans toward burgundy.”
Black
Speaking of the dark side, designer Stephanie Mahaney of Stephanie Rae Interiors says black is a color-drenching don’t. “While it’s a striking and dramatic choice, it can quickly feel too heavy or like a dark movie theater,” she says. “Instead, I’d incorporate black as an accent paired with a contrasting trim or detail for balance and definition.”
If you’re looking for a dash of drama that doesn’t veer into dreary territory, Mahaney recommends “bold-yet-inviting colors.” Topping her list of favorite shades are ocean blue, mossy green, and juicy raspberry.
Bold Red
Of course, not all reds are suited for this punchy trend. O’Connor says that bright reds — especially those of the tomato or fire engine variety — will create an overwhelming energy. “It would make it hard to fold in more layers, furnish with flexibility, or take a visual rest from the space,” she adds. For a dialed-down version of the hue, try less saturated shades. “A warmer, deep burgundy, or russet on the other hand, will feel more cozy, subdued, and elegant. It will also lend itself to multiple ways to layer and complete the space.”
Meanwhile, Jen Stevens of Fonde Interiors in Dallas is partial to muted, earthy hues. “Rather than bright, saturated hues that can feel artificial, I layer rich earth tones like a rusty terra-cotta through different materials and textures,” she says.
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