Hello,
If there’s one thing I adore talking about, it’s colour, but over the last few years, I’ve realised I’m not just a colour expert, I’m a paint expert too. Paint is never just a backdrop; it’s one of the most powerful design tools we have to transform a space.
At Decorex, one of the world’s leading interior design shows, I had so many interior designers coming up to me at the Lick stand, asking about a technique called colour capping. I loved those conversations because they reminded me that paint isn’t just about picking a shade; it’s about how you use it, position it, and let it tell your home’s story.
Funnily enough, those questions echoed what I hear from so many of you in my DMs. I get messages from people desperate to try colour drenching, but feeling a little nervous about taking that leap. Then there are others who wonder, “Is colour capping the same thing? Which should you use? How do you know where to start?”
This week, I thought I’d unravel both techniques side by side. Each is a clever, creative approach to colour that can completely transform the feel of your space.
Colour drenching is that gorgeous cocooning look where walls, ceilings, trims, and doors are all the same shade. It creates a single sweep of colour that feels continuous and confident. Colour capping, on the other hand, is more tonal and layered; it involves using varying depths of the same hue, lighter on the walls, richer up to the ceiling, creating a beautiful sense of elevation and flow.
Colour Capping
Colour Drenching
I want to help you feel truly confident with colour, and these more modern approaches to paint are all about experimenting in a way that doesn’t have to be bold, but simply feels elevated.
Over the next few sections, I’ll walk you through how each technique looks in action, how to pull them off, and how to know which approach will make your room sing. Because colour, whichever tone you choose, should always feel like a joy, never a fear.
What is Colour Drenching
Colour drenching is one of those transformative paint techniques that truly changes the mood of a space. In the simplest terms, it means painting everything the same shade: the walls, ceiling, woodwork, even features like radiators and doors. By removing contrast, a room feels more fluid and cohesive, with your chosen colour wrapping the space like a soft blanket.
Choosing darker tones like forest green or burgundy will give you that jewel-box, boutique-hotel feel, while lighter, airy tones like plaster pinks or soft warm whites make rooms feel serene and open. It’s incredibly versatile and there’s no reason to be scared of it. Once you start, you’ll see how deeply calming and considered a fully drenched room can feel.
Some people come to me because they are scared about colour drenching, that they need to be brave to do this technique in their home. But it’s actually the total opposite, it’s not a particularly brave choice. It is a technique that actually softens the room, and allows you the freedom to go for those slightly richer tones, lie burgundy, or lime green, terracotta, warm yellows. Against white, these colours can feel so bold, but when you colour drench, it so much softer.
This is why I am such an advocate for people being bolder with their colour choices, not necessarily braver.
What is Colour Capping
Colour capping, on the other hand, is a more recent trend and one that’s perfect for anyone who loves colour but wants to start gently. It’s all about creating a tonal gradient across your walls and ceiling using two or more shades from the same colour family that share an undertone.
Think of it as placing a subtle halo of colour around the upper section of the room. You might see a mid-tone shade on the main wall, a lighter colour just under the ceiling, and then a richer tone across the ceiling itself. This creates dimension and visual height while keeping the overall palette harmonious.
In a period property, it helps to highlight moldings and cornices beautifully, while in modern spaces, it adds architectural character and sculptural appeal. It’s subtle but sophisticated — a lovely midpoint between plain white ceilings and full-on drenching.
Which Technique Should You Choose and Why
Both approaches celebrate colour and elevate your home, so it really depends on your home, light, and the feeling you want to create.
Choose colour drenching if:
You want an enveloping feel that completely transforms a room's atmosphere.
You’re working with a smaller space (like a guest bedroom or WC) and want it to feel cosy and chic.
You love simplicity, just one colour across every surface takes away decision fatigue and creates impact with ease.
Choose colour capping if:
You love the idea of colour but feel unsure about committing to one shade on every surface.
You want to emphasise height, or draw attention to beautiful cornices or architectural detail.
You’d like to start building colour confidence with subtle transitions that still feel elegant and modern.
The wonderful thing about these two techniques is that both harmonise beautifully with today’s design approach, creating calm, layered, personality-filled spaces that feel effortless and timeless.
Quick Tips for Both Techniques
For Colour Drenching:
Choose a shade that genuinely makes you feel good and look great in your room orientation, so sample it!
Consider finish, a matt paint works best because it diffuses light softly and hides imperfections.
Bring the same tone into accents like lampshades or decor pieces to extend that immersed feeling.
For Colour Capping:
Stick to two or three shades within the same colour family to keep harmony and flow.
Carefully plan where you want your colour bands to begin and end. Will you finish the darker tone on the ceiling or will you bring it down to your picture rail.
Don’t forget your lighting, the transition between tones comes alive under warm, layered light.
Colour Capping
Colour Drenching
And for either technique, remember that texture matters as much as colour. Soft furnishings, rugs, and fabrics in complementary tones will help tie everything together beautifully. And don’t forget my 60:30:10 rule!
Painting is one of the simplest and most joyful ways to transform your home, it’s your chance to tell a story about how you want to feel in your space. Whether you decide to go all-in with a colour-drenched room or gently experiment with colour capping, approach it with curiosity and confidence.
Your home doesn’t need to follow rules, it’s about how you want it to make you feel. So grab that paintbrush and enjoy the process.
And as always, if you’re feeling unsure or want a bit of extra encouragement, come find me on Instagram. I love hearing what you’re trying and helping you along the way.
Tash x