Colour drenching, painting walls, ceilings and cabinetry in a single, saturated tone, has moved from living rooms into kitchen design, and it’s proving to be one of the more dramatic trends of the year.

what is colour drenching?

Rather than a feature wall or an accent colour, colour drenching applies one tone consistently across cabinetry, walls, trim and sometimes ceiling. The effect is immersive rather than decorative, and it tends to suit deep, complex tones far better than bright, trend-led shades.

choosing a colour that will last

Deep greens, ink blues and warm terracottas have proven the most enduring choices in colour drenched kitchens we’ve designed. These tones read as considered rather than fashionable, which matters if you want the kitchen to feel current in ten years, not just this one.

balancing a drenched scheme

A fully saturated kitchen needs contrast somewhere, usually in the worktop or flooring. A honed natural stone or a pale timber floor keeps a colour drenched kitchen from feeling heavy.

where colour drenching works best

Smaller, more enclosed kitchens tend to suit colour drenching better than large open-plan spaces, where the effect can become overwhelming. In bigger rooms, we often recommend applying the approach to a single run of cabinetry or a snug adjoining the main kitchen instead.

frequently asked questions

Will a colour drenched kitchen feel smaller?

Not necessarily, a single consistent tone can actually make a small room feel more enveloping and considered rather than smaller, especially with good lighting.

What finish should I choose for a drenched cabinetry colour?

A matt finish tends to suit deep, saturated colours best, as it softens the tone rather than making it feel glossy or clinical.

Does colour drenching suit handleless kitchens?

Yes, the clean lines of a handleless design from Schüller let the colour itself become the main design feature.

Is colour drenching a temporary trend?

The technique itself is well established in interior design, and choosing a considered, deep tone rather than a fashionable bright shade will help it age well.

How do I test a colour before committing?

We recommend large sample boards viewed in your actual kitchen light at different times of day before finalising a colour, our team can arrange this as part of your design appointment.