Whenever you’re in the mood to change your home’s look, painting the wall is likely the first task that comes to mind. After all, wall colors have a big impact on the overall design and feel of a room–it’s why trends like color drenching really take off.
But the newest trend that’s supposed to be hot for 2025, double drenching, is taking the color game of your walls to the next level. Here’s how to do it.
Meet the Expert
- Amanda Wyatt is a self-taught interior designer and the founder of Design Insider.
- Victoria Holly is the founder of Victoria Holly Interiors.
What Is Double Drenching?
“Double drenching is a design technique where two or more colors are used to fully envelop a room on the walls and ceiling,” says Victoria Holly, founder of Victoria Holly Interiors. “This creates a layered, immersive effect that enhances the room’s depth and makes a bold statement. The colors are carefully chosen to work together and highlight architectural features.”
So, basically, you’re performing the concept of ‘color drenching’ (using one color for an entire room), but adding an additional color to elevate the contrast.
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The Best Colors for Double Drenching
While, technically, no colors are off limits for this paint trend, there’s a caveat to your chosen color scheme. You must focus on analogous colors (shades next to each other in the color wheel) and ones that complement each other.
“Double drenching works best with rich, saturated colors that can carry the intensity, like dark greens, navy blues, or deep burgundies,” says Amanda Wyatt, founder of Design Insider. These colors create a cocoon-like effect, where each surface contributes to a unified and striking atmosphere.”
But, if going too bold doesn’t suit your style, Holly says muted colors and monochromatic layers are great alternatives.
“Soft combinations like dusty rose and muted taupe or sage green and light gray create a calming and sophisticated ambiance,” she says. “Using varying shades of the same color, such as a deep forest green with a lighter olive, adds depth while maintaining a cohesive look.”
Tips for Double Drenching Your Home
So, how do you incorporate double drenching in your home? Try these tips from our experts.
Cover All Surfaces
When you go to double-drench your home, Wyatt says the key to making it work is going all in on what you paint.
“Half-measures, like painting just the walls but leaving the trim or ceiling white, can dilute the look and prevent the space from feeling truly cohesive,” Wyatt shares. “Embrace the color fully, applying it to walls, trim, ceiling, and even furniture if possible. And don’t be afraid to take the risk!”
Extend the Colors Farther Into the Room
Even though most of the focus in double drench is geared toward your walls and ceilings, Wyatt says these aren’t the only areas where your colors should stand out in the trend.
“In double drenching, not only are you covering structural elements (walls, trim, and ceilings) in a unified hue, but you are also extending that same color or a closely related shade to other major elements in the room, like cabinetry, furniture, and even fabrics,” she says. “This is why double drenching is such a powerful way to make a statement in spaces where you want a truly immersive, monochromatic look.”
Test It Out In a Smaller Area First
Like the idea of this trend but want to make sure you actually like how it looks before you go big? Wyatt says the perfect place to small is a smaller area in your home, then extend it out.
“Select a rich, saturated color, and apply it to the walls, trim, and ceiling of that specific space,” Wyatt says, “Then, to enhance the effect, add a small furniture piece in a complementary shade—such as a chair, bench, or cabinet—so the color feels cohesive and intentional without overwhelming a larger room.”
Have the Right Lighting Installed
While your color choice is certainly making a statement, one hack for highlighting the bold design in your home, Holly says, is to have the right kind of lighting in the room.
“The right lighting can bring out your color palette, enhancing warmth or contrast as needed. Especially with up or down lighting that adds more drama in the evening,” she says.
Does Double Drenching Work For Small Rooms?
Trying to decorate a small room can be tricky. You’re working with limited space, so of course you want to make sure the room doesn’t feel suffocating with all the color. But the good news is that color drenching can work in the smallest of spaces!
“Double drenching can actually make small rooms feel more expansive and intentional, especially when you incorporate the ceiling,” Holly says. “When you use two colors, you can create visual interest and break up the space, preventing it from feeling too enclosed. Lighter color combinations can make a room feel airy, while deeper tones can add a cozy, intimate vibe.”
