Colour drenching, essentially saturating a room in one complete colour is something you’ve either loved, or shied away from in your interior.
I’m a huge fan of it, asides from the fact no cutting in is required, of course (always a good thing). But, painting methods constantly change, and it seems we are transitioning into a new era of drenching, we’re doubling up for the double drenching paint trend.
Not heard of it yet? We get the low down from paint experts, Little Greene to find out more about this paint trend, and examples of how you can get the look in your own home.
What Is Double Drenching?
Unlike colour drenching where one colour saturates the entire room, ‘Double Drenching’ the name Little Greene have given to the paint method involves dramatically transforming a space by painting all elements in two or more related colours. This is not to be confused with ceilings that are painted a completely different, bold colour to the walls!
This refreshing paint trend is the answer to battling that mainstream ‘white ceiling’. The fifth wall, as designers like to refer to it is one that is being put front and foremost in designs these days, and it’s a creative way to have some fun with colour, whilst introducing another shade to your colour scheme which adds depth and character to a room.
Ruth Mottershead, Creative Director at The Little Greene Paint Company added, “Since first introducing the ‘Colour Drenching’ approach back in 2021, we have seen customers move away from traditional schemes to embrace deep and mid-tone hues from floor to ceiling and everything in between, creating really engaging, inviting spaces. ‘Double Drenching’ is an expansion of this colour confidence, taking the concept into a highly creative, sophisticated and nuanced approach to decoration.”
The image below highlights the key differences between the two drenching trends which are easy to spot. The sulking room pink colour drenched toilet on the left vs the double drenched living room which combines 3 different similar hues for a cosy effect.
How To Choose The Right Paints When Double Drenching
Choosing paint shades is one of the most common questions I receive daily through blog comments and on YouTube, and unless you’re in the design field, the biggest problem with this trend is that double drenching and picking colours that work well together is going to become even harder for the average decorator to achieve.
However, Little Greene have put together some examples of how this could work. Little Greene added, “Traditionally, tonal variations of a single colour are used to achieve a harmonious look, perhaps three strengths of a neutral shade being used across walls, woodwork and ceilings. Using our ‘Colour Scales’, you can paint different elements of your space in varying strengths of one shade, such as Masquerade, Masquerade – Light and Masquerade – Mid“.
Perhaps, one of the easiest approaches to tackling this paint trend is to pick one colour to saturate the walls, woodwork and doors, and one colour for the ceiling. Or you could introduce a third colour onto your woodwork, as shown below.
If you’re picking colours from scratch, work with analogous colours with this approach. This is when colours are very similar to each other when they are next to one another on the colour wheel.
Most paint brands colour cards group colours by undertone anyway, so you can easily pick out which colours are analogous and seamlessly work together well for this trend.
9 Stunning Examples of Double Drenching
Despite this trend being very new, I’ve pulled together 9 interiors that nail this look, along with some of my own suggestions for how you can try this new trend in your home.
1.Moody Rouge Ceiling
Using the ceiling for a secondary colour is one of the easiest ways to get onboard with this new trend. In the inspiration image below, the darker shade on the ceiling creates a moody, dramatic feeling in the space, whilst balancing well with the punchier red shade.
This is a very dark colour scheme, so not one which would feel comfortable if you spend a lot of time in the room, but a great look for cinema rooms and reading rooms.
Paints used: Ceiling, Skirting, Bookcase & Chair: Arras™, Walls: Bronze Red®, Shutters: Mushroom™
2. Ultra Relaxed, Stylish Study
This laid-back, coastal inspired study is a gorgeous example of how you can colour drench for a refreshing, restorative feel.
The lighter blue hue on the ceiling draws the eye up, giving the illusion of a bigger space, and you can see how the slight colour change ignites more interest than a colour drenched room.
Paints used Rear wall & Ceiling:Blue Verditer™, Left Wall & Left Skirting:Tivoli®, Alcove & Right Skirting:Woad™
3. Midnight Blue Bedroom
Double drenching can include incorporating 2 or more colours into the space. However, I would avoid exceeding 3 colours, as the introduction of too many colours can create a confusing feeling as you enter the room, making the room feel hectic and smaller than it actually is.
The wall and ceiling colour work perfectly together here, whilst the window colour is a bold, almost a neon cobalt blue that instantly draws the eye in.
Paints used: Ceiling & Above Dado:Dock Blue™, Walls:Royal Navy™, Window:Smalt™, Headboard:Dock Blue™
4. Neutral Double Drenching
Let’s step away from the bolder shades for a while, which if you’re not used to colour, can feel daunting. Leaning into neutral shades is a gorgeous way to dabble with double drenching, providing a soothing and calming space to be in.
In the living room below, Stirabout has been used on the walls and fireplace, paired with Jitney. Joe Studholme, Farrow and Ball colour curator used this pairing “for a harmonious space that’s easy on the eyes and deeply reassuring”.
5. Layered Bathroom
If you don’t want to engage all your walls, why not have a go at double drenching your room and a piece of furniture. Introduce an element of colour contrast by painting a piece of furniture in a shade that coordinates with your wall colour.
I love these two Little Greene shades next to one another, it gives that little bit more interest and depth than using the same block colour throughout.
Walls, Skirting & Tiles: Hellebore™, Vanity Unit: Blush™
6. Muted Blush-toned Space
This blush toned inspired living room combines two colours with a resounding pink undertone for a smooth take on double drenching.
Farrow and Ball Tailor Tack is on the walls with the ever popular Setting Plaster on the ceiling.
7. Punchy Red
Double drench by adding your chosen paint colour to the walls and ceilings, with a punchier colour on your woodwork on door.
Take inspiration from the below and use Setting Plaster by Farrow and Ball with Red Earth on the woodwork. This pulls on the unexpected red theory which can transform any space with a small or large pop of red.
8. Lean Into Green
Green is a colour that just feels good to be in. Now, double drenching in hues that slightly vary instills instant interest, whilst opting for a slightly lighter hue on walls can be great in rooms with less forgiving light.
Add an unexpected third colour to the window surround for further depth and interest.
Paints used: Ceiling & Cornice: Dark Brunswick Green, Walls: Hopper, Skirting: Hopper, Window Surround: Citrine
9. Playful Child’s Bedroom
When I think of double drenching, I think it is such a fab trend for a nursery or Childs bedroom. It brings such a playful, fun and light feeling to a space.
Soft, serene blues create a calming and uplifting atmosphere in a child’s bedroom, offering both tranquility and a touch of fun. Opt for a matching mid-blue shade for the furniture to achieve a harmonious and cohesive look.
Ceiling:Sky Blue™, Wall:Brighton™, Shelf:Heat™, Bed Base:Etruria™
What are your thoughts on double drenching? Is it something you’d try?
