From MDF panelling to ‘PAX hacks’, it’s hard not to get lost in the ever-growing list of things your home apparently needs.
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But one trend doing the rounds right now actually has strong roots in interior design as a hack to make any small room look bigger.
Ever heard of colour drenching?
The painting practice is all about using one colour on all surfaces in a room – even down to the light switches and skirting boards.
Experts say it makes rooms seem bigger by allowing walls, ceilings and built-in cupboards to all seamlessly blend in together.
By painting everything in the same shade, you eradicate any strong contrasts or harsh lines and instead allow the eyes to glide over a room.
“Colour drenching simply means painting everything the same shade: the walls, woodwork, ceiling and even radiators or furniture,” the experts at British paint and wallpaper manufacturer Farrow & Ball said.
“It’s become more and more popular recently, but this way of decorating is far from a fleeting trend.
“Whether you want to make a room feel bigger and lighter or cosy and inviting, there’s a way to make colour drenching suit you – it’s all about which colour you choose.”
According to Farrow & Ball, “taking a light or mid shade across your whole space can help to make a room feel bigger and airier”.
This is because the light hue will blur the line where the walls and ceiling meet.
“It works especially well in awkward shaped spaces like narrow hallways, to help create the illusion of a bit more space,” the experts said.
However, darker tones can “work wonderfully for colour drenching by creating a cosy cocoon of colour”.
“This especially suits rooms you use in the evening, inviting you to sit down, relax and stay a while,” they added.
One mum’s mission…
Mum-of-two Jordan Miller took to Instagram to share how she colour drenched her small, downstairs bathroom – and people dubbed the design “gorgeous”.
She used Benjamin Moore’s paint in Vintage Vogue, a dark olive green, to cover everything from the ceiling and walls to the skirting boards and light switches.
“I just absolutely love the colour drenched vibe and no piece of trim or ceiling is safe in my house,” Jordan said.
“It’s truly amazing how much bigger this small bathroom looks.
“It makes a bold statement. It enhances the mood and ambiance.
“And guess what? It’s timeless and can be used in any type of home from traditional to modern.”