Drench or Double Drench by The Yorkshire Designer

First up there is no raincoat required  – This is not about the Yorkshire weather.

Drenching or Double Drenching  is the latest interior design trend which is going viral. The “Drench” style has been around for a few years. This refers to painting a wall and then continuing down over skirting and woodwork in exactly the same colour.  The latest trend takes this colour commitment one step further, and includes the ceiling, and sometimes even pieces of furntiure within the room. So, take a deep breath, and embrace your colour choice ! The last few years have seen home owners and hoteliers make bold colour choices. Often using very dark colours and certainly from bolder palettes.  While not for the faint hearted this new decorating approach can look sensational. Its surprising how when this decorating style is mixed with metallic handles and lighting just how “high end” the look becomes.

You  might think that double drenching is a definite no in a small room. But actually its surprising how it can actually make a room feel bigger. On rooms with high ceilings double drenching is a great way to make a room more cosy.  Using a dark colour all over a room feels cocooning and enveloping. In a living room that’s cosy and invites you to snuggle up and get comfortable. In a bedroom, that enveloping feeling encourages you to relax and unwind. Your colour choice will be key. If you want a cosy relaxing feel you might opt for a neutral or warm tone, a soft pastel, or a  rich mocha or latte.  Or, dark blue, deep forest green and even black are popular choices for colour drenching your living space. You’ll transform your living room into an inviting, sophisticated snug. In a hallway  a windowless room it not only can be made more interesting by colour drenching it, but it can also be a clever tools to distract from the limited space or natural light. So you may decide to use stark white or bright bold colour.

When Double drenching a room you are effectively making a seamless interior. You are simplifying  the boundaries and extents.

Consider everything in the room

Think about the other things which will be in the room – soft furnishings, furniture, art work. Some things you might want to be there to make the room pop and so let it act as an accent. Or you might want items to purely to provide a softness or natural element. Mirrors are great for reflection in rooms where natural light is limited.

Consider the floor covering from the outset – its the next largest area visually after your wall and ceiling. It has to work with your chosen colour. It must provide the grounding for the room and therefore a flattering backdrop. Natural timber floorings look great with bold wall colours.  Or an area rug can link in the colours while adding visual interest. Accessories and how you dress out your room will be very important. Pattern in curtain fabrics or cushions add interest. Plants are a great way to soften the scheme down as well.

Credit Pemberton Homes

It might seem obvious, but before you take the plunge, test how a colour responds to the light in the room through all the stages of the day and evening. Depending on which direction a room faces, the overall effect of the colour you use is likely to be markedly different. A blue grey paint with a touch of green in it looks lovely in a west-facing room, reading more architectural and cool in the morning light and softening to a gentle green at the latter end of the day.

The Best thing to do…..

Get some sample pots and paint some squares of paper – stick one sheet to each of your walls and see how the colour changes through the day. As well as natural light, consider lighting. You may want to add different light sources. Perhaps add a floor standing lamp into a corner, picture lights over art work, or table lamps. Lighting can change everything – consider it before you decorate in case you need to get an electrician to add new lights as this may mean cutting into he ceilings or floors to add supplies or sockets.

If you are not brave enough to colour drench furniture you can go a shade lighter or darker – and this is the same for woodwork such as windows and architraves. Colour drenching is a confident and stylish interior design trend. It involves choosing a colour you love and committing to it fully. But you have to also create a room which works for your lifestyle that you will enjoy being in. So its about creating a room which is captivating and bold, but also comfortable.

Images credit Decorila

Go for it !

Be brave – drenching and double drenching is not for the faint hearted. But it will certainly give your home identity.  And why not – we have been living in the natural tones for what seems like forever.  take it step by step and layer things up. Your colour drenching sets the stage, what you add will create the theatre. Good Luck ! X

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