What is Color Drenching? Our Take on This Bold Interior Design Trend

At Audrey Scheck Design, we’re always looking for ways to create interiors that feel rich with personality, warmth, and bring heart into a space. No surprise then that color drenching is one of our favorite design trends. It's a bold yet sophisticated way to transform a space by immersing it in a single hue or tonal palette.

So, What Exactly is Color Drenching in Interior Design?

Simply put, it’s the practice of using one color (or variations of the same color family) throughout a room. There's something so special about choosing one color and letting it wrap around an entire room, including the walls, ceiling, and trim.

As we move away from stark, minimal spaces and lean into more inviting and layered styles, like the cozy charm you’d find in a Nancy Meyers kitchen or inviting guest rooms full of character, color drenching is helping lead the way. Rich and expressive color is taking center stage. The days of the lone accent wall are behind us. Now, we are drenching rooms from floor to ceiling in rich, layered tones that tell a story and bring real personality into a space.

Why is Color Drenching Having a Moment?

What I love about color drenching is how versatile and creative it can be. In our interior design projects you can design a space that feels bold and dramatic with deep jewel tones, or something serene and airy with soft, tonal shades. And it is not just about paint, you can layer in textiles, furniture, and even decor in the same color family to create depth and harmony. This layered look is more than an interior design trend, it’s a design strategy that instantly adds depth, intention and a curated feel.

Does Color Drenching Make a Room Bigger or Smaller?

In small rooms, like a small bathroom or guest bedroom, people often assume they need to stick with white or pale neutrals to keep things feeling open. But in reality color drenching can have the opposite effect. Color drenching a bedroom creates a deeply immersive and comforting atmosphere by enveloping the space in a single hue or a tonal palette. This technique can make a room feel more cohesive, calm, and cozy, especially when warm, muted, or earthy tones are used.

Some of our favorite projects at Audrey Scheck Design have used soft, light tones to create a quiet refined look. Using a pale color like bone, or a Benjamin Moore taupe color across your walls, trim and ceiling can give the space a softness that feels more welcoming and lived-in. It eliminates harsh contrasts, softens edges, and allows the eye to rest, which is ideal for a space meant for relaxation and sleep. We love color drenching in our projects as a simple yet powerful way to transform a bedroom into a true retreat.

If you’re drawn to deeper, richer tones, choosing a darker color can make a bedroom feel even more inviting. Shades like deep plum, navy, or olive create a sense of intimacy and calm that’s perfect for winding down at the end of the day.

There’s something special about how darker walls absorb the light and quiet the room. It’s a beautiful way to transform a bedroom into a cozy escape that feels personal, peaceful, and all your own.

Bathrooms That Go Bold

Color drenching a bathroom is one of those small design choices that can make a big impact, especially smaller bathrooms. It turns an ordinary space into something that feels intentional.

Color drenching a guest bath or powder room in a bold color, from ceiling to floor, gives it an elevated look. When every surface is painted in a rich moody hue, the edges of the room seem to disappear giving the illusion of more space and adding a touch of luxury. Pair that with a tonal vanity, co-ordinating textiles and soft layered lighting and even the smallest bathroom becomes a design statement.

Is Color Drenching Right For You?

Color drenching might be for you if:

• You want to add personality to a space without clutter

• You’re craving a more cohesive and intentional design

• You love experimenting with tone-on-tone styling

• You’re rethinking a small bathroom, guest bedroom, or office nook

• You’re ready to move away from bright white walls

If you’re someone who loves interior design that feels layered, expressive, and deeply personal, color drenching might be exactly what you’ve been searching for.

This design technique works across styles, from traditional to modern, minimalist to eclectic. It allows for endless variation and creativity while keeping the overall effect grounded and cohesive. Whether you're ready to makeover your guest room, refresh a small bathroom, or completely transform your primary bedroom, drenching the space in color can be a game-changer.

You don’t have to go all in with the darkest tones. If you’re just dipping your toes in, try starting with warm neutrals like taupe, or light tones in a favorite muted shade. Or, if you’re ready to make a bold statement, we’ll help you lean into moody palettes and deep color stories that feel rich and transformative.

Let’s Bring Your Vision to Life

At Audrey Scheck Design, we specialize in creating beautiful, functional interiors that reflect your unique lifestyle and aesthetic. Whether you’re envisioning a full home remodel or looking to refresh just one room, we’ll help you create a space that feels cohesive, inviting, and completely you.

We are proud to be one of the best Austin interior designers, offering full-service interior design with a focus on personalization and client collaboration. From color palette selection and furniture sourcing to project management and construction oversight, we guide you every step of the way. We’re based in Austin, Texas, but we work with clients across the country.

If you’re curious about whether color drenching could be the right move for your space, or if you’re ready to jump in and start designing, inquire here to get in touch with our team. 

Let’s turn your vision into a home that feels warm, layered, and uniquely yours.

Contact us here.

Inspired by Color Drenching: Our Go-To Pieces for Bold Style

All Photo Credit: Cate Black