Few decorating techniques feel as confident, or as quietly transformative, as colour drenching. When done well, it changes not just how a room looks, but how it feels to spend time in it. Immersive, elegant and deeply expressive, colour drenching has moved from a design world secret to a hallmark of considered interiors.

Paint remains one of the quickest and most effective ways to refresh a space, adding warmth, personality and atmosphere without the upheaval of a full renovation. Whether you’re planning a larger project in 2026 or simply looking to re-energise your home, colour drenching offers a bold yet enduring approach that rewards confidence.

At its simplest, colour drenching means enveloping a room in a single colour, applied across walls, ceilings, woodwork and architectural details. When executed with intention, the effect is fabulous.

The Unspoken Rules of Colour drenching

Colour drenching can look like a confident, bold design choice, but it is actually very easy to achieve. You do not need specialist knowledge or a designer. You just need to follow a few simple principles.

  • First, commit to one colour. Colour drenching works best when the same shade is used across walls, ceilings, woodwork and architectural details. Keeping everything consistent creates a calm, cocooning feel and stops the room from feeling busy or broken up.
  • Second, think about how much natural light your room gets. North facing rooms tend to feel cooler, so warmer toned paints with pink or yellow undertones usually work best. Cooler shades with blue or green undertones are better saved for south facing rooms, where warmer daylight brings them to life.
  • Third, classics work brilliantly. Timeless tones are easier to live with and stand the test of time, while overly trendy colours tend to date quickly. Our advice is to choose shades you will still love years from now.
  • Finally, remember that when you have wrapped the room in colour, texture becomes the focal point. Linen, velvet, timber and stone add depth, while furniture and art provide contrast without competing for attention.

With those principles in place, these are three colours our co-founders will be returning to again and again in the year ahead.

Blue: A Classic Having its Moment

Instagram image credit: @lucywilliamshome

Blue has always been a favourite in interiors, but right now it’s enjoying a renewed moment that feels rooted in longevity rather than trend. Known for its calming effect, blue lends itself naturally to bedrooms and serene living spaces.

Care is required in north facing rooms, where cooler light can amplify blue’s chillier qualities. The right shade makes all the difference.

The Templo’s choice is Kittiwake by Farrow & Ball, a soft blue that feels airy and refined without tipping into coldness. It is subtle enough to live with long term, yet distinctive enough to feel intentional.

A masterclass in blue can be found in taste-maker Lucy Williams’ sitting room, as featured in House and Garden, where a blue-drenched scheme is grounded by a tan sofa. Brown and tan tones pair effortlessly with blue, bringing warmth and sophistication. Her chosen shade, Farrow & Ball’s archive colour Yonder, shows how impactful blue can be when layered with the right materials.

Best for: Bedrooms and serene living spaces
Consider carefully: North-facing rooms
Elevate with: Tan leather, warm woods, soft neutrals

Pink: Warm, Modern and Undeniably Chic

Image from Pinterest

Pink has long shed its sugary reputation. In the right tone, a pink colour drench feels architectural, grounded and grown up.

Used in a living room, pink brings warmth and softness without sacrificing sophistication. The key is avoiding overly sweet or pastel shades in favour of something earthier.

Setting Plaster by Farrow & Ball is The Templo’s go-to shade. Its muted, plaster-like quality allows it to shift beautifully with the light, making it versatile and easy to live with.

For those willing to push the palette further, introducing a red sofa or ottoman can be transformative. Pink and red together feel bold yet harmonious, a combination that feels instinctive rather than forced.

Best for: Living rooms and entertaining spaces
Avoid: Sugary or overly pastel pinks
Elevate with: Red accents, sculptural furniture, warm metals

Dark Green: Dramatic and Comforting

Image from Pinterest

Few colours rival green for its ability to soothe and ground. Rooted in nature, it lends itself beautifully to colour drenching, particularly in smaller rooms or spaces with limited natural light.

Contrary to instinct, dark greens can make compact rooms feel larger, blurring boundaries and creating depth. This works especially well in classic London terraces, where atmosphere often outperforms restraint.

The Templo’s recommendation is Green Smoke by Farrow & Ball, a moody green with blue undertones that brings drama while remaining liveable.

To keep the balance right, offset the depth of the walls with lighter upholstery and textiles. Pale linens and natural textures introduce contrast and airiness, ensuring the room feels layered rather than heavy.

Best for: Small spaces, low-light rooms, dressing rooms
Avoid: Too many dark furnishings
Elevate with: Pale linens, natural textures, soft lighting

Why we’re encouraging you to go all in on colour

At The Templo, we’re drawn to ideas and brands that combine beauty with longevity. That’s why, in our most recent competition, we’re offering the chance to win £500’s worth of paint from Farrow & Ball, one of the finest paint makers in the UK.

We’ll only ever bring you brands that we genuinely believe in, and Farrow & Ball tick every box. Richly pigmented colours, nuanced finishes, a deep understanding of how paint behaves in real homes and an enduring design heritage rooted in quality rather than trends, their paints are designed to be lived with and lived with well.

Our advice is to use paint boldly. Cocoon yourself in colour. Colour drenching has been around for some time now, and it’s here to stay.

Enter The Templo’s competition to win £500’s worth of Farrow and Ball paint.