It seems like the interiors world is drowning in design concepts such as colour drenching, stone drenching, pattern drenching and double drenching. With all these ‘wet’ trends flooding our inboxes, we’re asking – will they sink or swim?

Think of interior design, and you’ll most probably think of high-end opulence. However, lately, I’ve been feeling just a tad sodden with all the current trends. ‘Drenched’ isn’t the most glamorous of terms, is it? A quick little thesaurus search brings up related words such as deluge, inundate, saturate, impregnate (no, thank you!), dunk, imbrue and sop. “Oh, I love how you’ve sopped your walls in that shade.” Doesn’t quite give that sophisticated air, does it?

And yet, as far as my inbox is concerned, drenching rooms in anything and everything is the trend du jour. So let’s paddle our way through, shall we?

Colour drenching

Colour drenching is where it all began – an idea that started around 2021. The concept involves enveloping a room with a single colour across the walls, ceiling and all woodwork. Very dramatic, and effective, especially if you pick dark tones. And, from this, another idea was born: let’s have lots of something in one space, and call it ‘drenching’.

Pattern drenching

For instance, pattern drenching has since emerged, which – you guessed it – is exactly the same, but instead of a block colour, you use a single or multiple patterns. The stuff of nightmares for minimalists, it’s actually pretty perfect if you – like me – are a fan of maximalism.

On this look, Alexander Shepel, founder of Shepel, a custom furniture manufacturer and multi-brand design studio, says, “This latest design craze takes colour drenching to the next level. Interior design is all about expressing one’s creativity and homeowners are becoming increasingly bold in their decisions and choices. Using the same pattern through one’s wallpaper and soft furnishings creates a wonderfully cohesive appearance that is utterly individual.

“To create a real statement, we suggest applying this trend to smaller rooms of the home such as powder rooms, downstairs bathrooms, and home offices. Either choose the same pattern or combine the same pattern in different colourways for a high-design, curated feel.”

Stone drenching

Next up? Stone drenching – actually a rather glamorous technique that covers multiple surfaces with the same type of stone, from quartz, granite to marble. (This does look particularly beautiful in a bathroom, it has to be said.) It can also help minimise visual breaks in a kitchen, helping it feel larger and more open. Just be cautious about the material you choose.

Ross Stewart, senior sales manager for Neolith, advises, “For this particular trend, ensure you choose a high-performance, low-maintenance material for your floors, walls and vanity spaces. Sintered stone is an ideal choice for spa bathrooms due to its durability, high resistance to stains, scratches and heat, as well as its low maintenance requirements.”

Double drenching

The latest to hit my screen is ‘double drenching’, a name coined by paint brand Little Greene, as a way of dramatically transforming a space by painting two or more related colours on all available surfaces to achieve the ‘wow factor’. “It’s always fascinating to see how colour confidence and the use of colour change over time,” says Ruth Mottershead, creative director at Little Greene.

“The understanding of the effect of colour on the atmosphere of a space is something that has grown exponentially over the past few years. We have seen customers move away from traditional schemes to embrace deep and mid-tone hues from floor to ceiling and everything in between, creating really engaging, inviting spaces. Double drenching is an expansion of this colour confidence, taking the concept into a highly creative, sophisticated and nuanced approach to decoration.”

All of these styles of decorating have something in common: they’re about embracing powerful aesthetics – there is no room for white ceilings or dull walls. And, while – admittedly – I do love how dynamic and striking these looks can be, I’m simply not a lover of the name. So, perhaps it’s time we all dried off a little?

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