In the last few years, we’ve seen a surge of homeowners taking part in what’s known as color drenching. If you’re not familiar with the concept, color drenching is essentially painting everything in a room with the same color, including walls, trim, doors, ceiling, cabinetry, etc. While some may vary the sheen of the paint across surfaces, the goal essentially is a monochromatic look that creates interest by using such a bold technique.
You may find this idea extremely intriguing, or possibly a little overboard. The good news is that you can take this concept and make it what you want. For example, don’t want to paint the ceiling? Skip it and cover the walls, doors, and trim instead. Love the monochromatic look but want to bring in pattern? Pair the same paint color with a wallpaper that continues the color on the background of the design. Try using the same color for cabinetry and wall paint but skip the trim and doors. Essentially, we recommend experimenting with paint to bring life into your home in whatever way makes sense to you; whether that’s a complete color drench or your own personal inspiring take on it.
To help you get started, here’s a list of ten paint color options to incorporate in your next project:
Black Fox by Sherwin-Williams
Starting off strong, this brownish-black paint color is sure to bring the drama of a deep tone without the stark commitment to a true black. Quickly becoming one of our favorite moody neutrals, its subtle nuance draws you in and invites you to sit and stay awhile. It would be gorgeous in the powder room, from the trim to the ceiling, paired with wallpaper or patterned artwork.
Antique Pewter by Benjamin Moore
If you’re looking for a lighter hue with some character, try Antique Pewter. This calming sage would translate well from cabinets to walls, filling the room with its natural essence. We’d love to see this in a kitchen paired with wood accents and textured decor.
Folkstone by Sherwin-Williams
A slight violet undertone gives this neutral a dash of visual interest for anyone looking to upgrade their palette. Consider drenching your bedroom ceiling, walls, and trim with Folkstone or otherwise use it as an exterior color paired with gray stone.
Dusty Cornflower by Benjamin Moore
For those who aren’t afraid of color, this dusty blue is reminiscent of a fresh breeze. Although it’s a more saturated hue than others on this list, it’s clean and crisp, making it easy to fill a room. Try it on laundry room cabinetry and carry it over to the walls.
Snowbound by Sherwin-Williams
On the other end of the spectrum, if you’re looking for a classic white to use across your home, check out Snowbound. It’s an off-white that can adapt to its environment, pairing well with other tones. This calm, lived-in white can flood all areas of your home’s interior.
Midnight Oil by Benjamin Moore
Back to the darker side, this shade is a blend of navy and graphite gray. Similar to our first paint suggestion, this is a good stand-in when you want the boldness of a black, but this time with cool undertones. Use this on built-in cabinetry in a living room or bedroom, letting it spill over onto the walls.
Fawn Brindle by Sherwin-Williams
For a medium neutral graced with a touch of grayed green, we introduce Fawn Brindle. Imagine being greeted in an entryway with this calming color, layered with natural textures decorating a console table. If you’re looking for a greige, try this one out!
Appalachian Brown by Benjamin Moore
Rich, chocolate browns have been very popular recently, both in fashion and home styling. This gorgeous shade of brown has a tinge of mauve, creating a dynamic energy. This would be the perfect moody paint color for a basement bar, perhaps carrying over to the walls and some built-ins that act as an entertainment center.
Vintage Vogue by Benjamin Moore
We love our fair share of green paint colors around here, but one of our newer finds is Vintage Vogue. It’s similar to Rosemary and Shade Grown, both by Sherwin-Williams, which are tried-and-true favorites of ours. If you can’t decide between those two shades, this might be the one for you. Use it to color-drench your home office—cabinetry, trim, walls, and all!
Anew Gray by Sherwin-Williams
Looking for a more modern take on the gray trend? Try Anew Gray. Its warm undertones set it apart from the colder grays used in the 2010s. This color is great for those who want to stay neutral but want something more than just white. It works great on kitchen and bathroom cabinetry, but also translates well to walls and trim, making it easy to drench your home in.
Feeling inspired yet? We’d love to hear about your project ideas! When you work with one of our designers, we guide you through the design process to ensure your home design dreams become a reality. For more design inspiration, check out our Pinterest page, where we frequently share project photos.
To get in touch with our design team, choose from one of our three Central Illinois showroom locations below and fill out the contact form. We’re excited to see what projects come to life in 2026!
