You may have noticed the trend in interior design lately to paint ceilings and walls in the same color. This phenomenon is known as “color drenching” – painting the ceiling and all four walls the exact same shade.
It has undoubtedly become one of the biggest color ideas of the moment, being used in homes around the world and spanning all types of interior styles.
But the question remains: should I paint ceilings and walls the same color? To find out exactly how the color trend is affecting your space, we asked designers and color experts for advice. We’ve also rounded up some excellent examples of how to color infuse a room to great effect.
Paint ceilings and walls the same color in every room?
To understand whether you should paint ceilings and walls the same color, you must first understand what effect it will have on the room. Color saturation works in a number of ways and not only affects the overall atmosphere of a space but also plays tricks on a room’s proportions.
“Painting walls, woodwork and ceiling the same color is a great way to create a cohesive atmosphere in a space that creates both depth and harmony,” explains Kathrine Errboe of Danish paint brand File Under Pop (opens in new tab). “It ties the space together and creates a calm canvas for other elements.” This is why color-filled spaces feel modern and fresh – they have a minimalism that lends a contemporary feel to even rooms with traditional features.
Painting the ceiling the same color as the walls can also help make a small room look larger, especially in rooms with low ceilings. It blurs the lines between walls and ceiling, giving the feeling of both the ceiling being higher and the walls being further away. But there’s also something cocooning about going for this monochromatic look.
You may also find that the connection between different colored walls and ceilings feels a bit awkward, especially in a room without crown molding. This idea helps to merge the lines.
There isn’t necessarily one type of room that a color drench should be used for, but you might want to ask yourself if a room would benefit from a different color on the ceiling and walls. For example, would you like some contrast to draw the eye to a particular quilt, or would a tonal color complement the scheme more?
Regardless, interior design trends see plain white ceilings on the rise. So why not try drenching color when decorating your next room? Here, designers and paint experts explain how to get the look right.
1. Use color impregnation in a small space
(Image credit: Ben Sage. Design: Lizzie Green)
Many interior designers cling to the idea that a white ceiling means a brighter space that feels larger, but in fact, introducing a different color on the ceiling can only serve to emphasize the proportions of a small space.
“The idea of ’soaking’ a space, especially a small space, is brilliantly bold and extremely effective at making a space appear larger, more seamless and more contemporary,” says interior designer Lizzie Green (opens in new tab). It might feel claustrophobic in this small storage-packed home office, but the one color choice actually helps the space feel calm and relaxing. “The Red Earth shade used here is wonderfully cozy and inviting in this small study in a Georgian house,” adds Lizzie.
2. Paint the walls and ceiling the same color to create zones in a room
(Image credit: Little Greene)
If you don’t want to decorate the entire space and are just creating a demarcated area like a home office area, consider your existing palette carefully.
“Accentuate a demarcated space by drenching it with color, including above the ceiling for a dramatic design feature,” says Ruth Mottershead, creative director of paint brand Little Greene (opens in new tab). “A contrasting color clearly defines an area and creates focus and design interest, while a more subtle color change such as using the same shade in a lighter or darker hue creates a more harmonious transition.”
“It’s important to consider how you’re using the larger space, a bold, vibrant zone works fantastically well in a kitchen, dining room or living room,” suggests Ruth, “while a more subdued and soothing approach creates calm for a relaxing bedroom.” .”
3. Add moldings, doors and trim and more to your color-soaked look
(Image credit: Margaret D. Lange. Design: Collective Works)
While the ceiling and walls are being painted, the same color can be considered a color saturation because a truly monochromatic color scheme will incorporate the other architectural elements of your room.
In this space created by interior design studio Collective Works (opens in new tab), the colorful idea goes a step further and includes not only the doors and cornices, but also furniture that plays up the tonal look. “The ceiling, walls, crown molding and doors are all the same color to create a calming den,” says Siri Zanelli, founder of Collective Works. ‘This room gives you a warm hug as you enter.’
4. Or experiment with contrasts
(Image credit: Note Design Studio)
Painting crown molding, doorways, and architectural molding is much less about the visual structure of your space and more about adding texture to the space. For a bold, artful feature, this can actually help modernize the look, but you could still go for a modern color-soaked idea without painting every surface the same color.
Inside this space designed by Nordic design brand Note Design Studio (opens in new tab)a contrasting door panel idea was retained, highlighting it as a beautiful architectural element but also framing the transition into the next space, a children’s room that uses a similar yellow palette.
5. Switch tonally from room to room
(Image credit: Filippa Tredal. Design: Dactylion Design)
While you might just want to paint one room a specific color, it’s important that your home still feels cohesive. Where different hues might have helped create a continuous line in your space, why not try this tonal decorating idea by drenching adjacent spaces in similar hues?
“The dark Scandinavian winters make homeowners spend a lot of time indoors,” says interior designer Hanne Gathe of Dactylion Design of this stylish blue-drenched space. ‘This apartment has a moody color scheme that gives a cosy, warm feel, ranging from gray to blue and green. ‘
“The sofa is an emerald green that picks up on the blue, contrasts but doesn’t stand out. The end result is striking but calm and cosy,” adds Hanne.
In the kitchen, a darker blue delineates the two spaces but still flows comfortably between them.
6. Or be bold with your contrasts
(Image credit: Roberto Garcia)
Alternatively, choosing bold different colors to infuse adjacent spaces can create an unexpected, invigorating effect.
This home office was redesigned by interior design studio Lala (opens in new tab) contrasts a vivid electric blue, Vardo by Farrow & Ball, with a rich, warm terracotta in the adjacent cave.
Is it easier to paint ceilings and walls the same color?
Another benefit of this trend? It’s a lot easier when it comes to how to paint a room. You don’t have to “cut in” around the ceiling when painting your room as long as you use the same color and finish.
When color saturating doors and moldings remember that an eggshell or woodwork satin should be used to ensure they are durable and this difference in finish between the wall’s matte emulsion can show when you paint these do not carefully cross out elements separately. Of course, they show far fewer errors than painting a contrasting color for trim.