The Double Drenching Paint Trend Will Fill Your Rooms With Wall-to-Wall Color

At the start of the year, we predicted that monochrome rooms would be one of 2024's most prevalent interior design themes. Its pervasiveness can be traced back to the color drenching trend, which applies the same hue in varying intensities to every surface—from the crown molding and walls to the baseboards and trim.

Immersing a room in a single color brings drama and energy. If the look is too monotonous for you, though, then you may fall in love with its even more daring counterpart: “double drenching.” Here, we take a closer look at the viral new trend, and how it can be used in your own home.

Double Drenching Explained

Double drenching, in short, pairs different hues of equal intensity. For example, instead of two tones of the same blue, you might see deep blue paired with deep purple, or a vibrant green with a lively yellow. “Subtly using related colors together will add depth and dimension to a room,” says Ruth Mottershead, the creative director of British paint company Little Greene, who originated the concept. “The variation in hues, even when from the same color family, creates a layered look—it feels dynamic and visually intriguing.”

Double Drenching vs. Color Drenching

While both double drenching and color drenching involve variations of color on all surfaces, there are key differences. “Color drenching is when you take a single color across all aspects of a space,” says Mottershead. “This marks a change from the traditional way of decorating, where ceilings, doors, and trim are often painted in white."

Double drenching takes the idea a step further, combining distinctly different colors to create a more visually stimulating result. “Usually, tonal variations of a color are used to achieve a harmonious look,” she says. “With double drenching, the variation is in the hue, so colors can be equally bold and from the same color family, but with differing undertones. This creates a layered and sophisticated look.”

Choosing Colors

The success of double drenching lies in choosing hues that you don't always see side by side, but that still work well together. You may want to start by looking at analogous colors, which are adjacent to each other on the color wheel—like moss green and forest green—and then go further out with pairings like blue and purple. “Double drenching creates subtle contrast, and confidently combines colors," says Mottershead. The approach can also highlight architectural elements, she adds, like doorways and alcoves.

Rooms to Double Drench

Double drenching can be used in any room of your house where you want a bold and dramatic statement, as per Mottershead. “Dark blues are a fantastic choice for bedrooms," she says. "They create depth and intimacy, which is perfect for a cozy and soothing space."

In the public areas of your home—like living rooms and dining rooms—go for stronger contrast, especially if there are unique architectural features to call attention to, such as arched openings, coffered ceilings, or paneled walls.