Many of us are ready for a color comeback as the all-white minimalist look starts to fade away in 2025. One of the newer trends gaining attention is "color drenching," a visually striking technique that creates a feast-for-the-eyes, dramatic effect. Although it might seem like too bold a  color commitment, there are ways to embrace the trend within your comfort zone.

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Color drenching is precisely what it sounds like; choose one color and use it on the walls, trim, and even ceiling to create a seriously chic space. But before you grab those paint cans and go for it as your next DIY project; you’ll want to read this. We talked with the paint and color pros at AI Painting Plus, who explained that there’s as much science as art goes into achieving a picture-worthy look.

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“Pictures of color drenching make it look like someone used one shade and finish throughout the room, but that is highly unlikely,” explains Austin Ilsey, President of AI Painting Plus. “Light reflects differently off the walls, ceiling, doors, and trim. We also need different finishes for each. To achieve the all-one-color look, we choose a variety of paints, all heavily influenced by color science.”

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You see, different light sources reflect the same paint differently, which makes the same paint look like different colors to your eye. While that particular shade of deep, purplish-brown may be perfect for your basement walls, that same paint will look woefully mismatched if you use it on the trim, doors, and ceiling. Jaclyn Rogers is a certified color consultant with AI Painting Plus who helps clients get their color choices just right. “We carefully choose different shades with different finishes and test each on various spots in the room until we get what looks like an exact color match.”

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Good news for rule breakers: you don’t have to use one color everywhere to achieve the stylish look! "One of my favorite examples is our client who chose a medium blue shade for everything but the ceiling. There she used a dramatic wallpaper that creates a unique focal point. It not only brightened up the guest bedroom but also added a touch of flair that really highlights the color-drenched vibe." says Rogers.

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If you’re swooning over the new trend but can’t decide on the right room, owner Lacie Ilsey recommends starting with the mood you want to create. “Color drenching with a deep, rich color creates a feeling of luxury and sophistication,” says Ilsey. “It also creates a very separate space, making it an ideal home office choice. Using a brighter or lighter color will create a feeling of relaxation and give a spa-like effect."

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One of the best aspects of color drenching is that it’s a trend anyone can adopt. It’s effective even if you’re not ready to embrace color. However, be cautious: "White is the hardest to work with,” says Austin. “Each white paint formula has its own undertone. What appears white on the wall can often look green on the ceiling and trim. We've tackled this challenge, but it required extensive paint testing in various lighting conditions to get it just right.” The result? Nothing short of stunning.

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