Whether it’s a bold blue or a splash of pastel, the new color-drenching trend promises to enliven any room with color, and the palette is as open as your imagination. We talked with Hannah Yeo, senior manager of color marketing at Benjamin Moore, about the dramatic new take on paint.
What exactly is color drenching?
Hannah: Color drenching is when you paint the entire room one color. It can be not just on the walls, but the trim, the ceiling, the built-ins. Some people even match the furniture. It’s the explosion of color that really brings in the transformative power of paint and color.
How do you prevent it from being overwhelming?
Hannah: It’s all about balance and what mood you’re looking for. You don’t need to limit yourself to using just the dark colors. Color drenching can be done in an array of color, like a flattering blush hue, and you bring out some of the design elements or the furnishing that’s complementing the wall space. Think about the lighting. You can bring in natural elements, like wood or indoor plants, or fluffy textures, whether it’s a rug or plush pillows or a throw. Those are all the things that you can bring into the space and make everything work in any color.
Are there spaces where color works better than others?
Hannah: I did my entryway in this deep green hue, and it’s very, very small. It works because it’s creating that mood when you first walk in. For places like entryways and mudrooms, it’s practical to have darker colors to hide the dirt. Think about it for powder or laundry rooms that you can close off and really create that unique experience. A lot of people are doing closet spaces in fully drenched color that is totally unexpected. I know a lot of consumers comment they have this massive living room, and they want it to feel a little bit more intimate. That would be the case where color drenching might work. But at the end of the day, you have to do what you feel good about because it’s your home.
