Some interior design trends are short-lived, but color-drenching has proven itself to be a decorating idea here to stay, and that's no less true in kitchens.
In the heart of the home, the color-drenching trend – where one paint color is used liberally to coat the walls, ceiling, and woodwork – has gone from being a daring design decision to clever kitchen color ideas, making this functional room feel cohesive and exciting.
And so, we've rounded up a selection of our favorite color-drenched kitchens that prove this is among the most timeless paint trends. If you're considering going bold with color in your own kitchen, these spaces are bound to inspire you, whether you're drawn to soft shades or dark and moody tones.
1. A moody green kitchen color drenched in Vintage Vogue by Benjamin Moore
'In this city kitchen, we leaned into the intimate footprint by going unapologetically bold with color,' explains interior designer Lucas Goldbach, Design Director at Chicago-based En Masse Architecture & Design. 'Deep green cabinetry – selected not just as a favorite hue, but to subtly mirror the veining in the soapstone countertops – anchors the space with richness and cohesion.'
The kitchen cabinet color is Benjamin Moore's Vintage Vogue, of which Lucas adds: 'The saturated palette does the heavy lifting, adding depth, warmth, and a touch of drama without overwhelming the room’s scale.'
2. A chic plaster kitchen color drenched in Pediment by Mylands
Decorating with plaster tones in a color-drenched kitchen is a great way to add more warmth and interest than classic neutrals while maintaining a light and timeless look, as demonstrated here.
'When used in a small kitchen, color drenching can reduce visual clutter, giving an illusion of more space. In larger kitchens, color drenching can visually soften an expansive space, making the kitchen feel more intimate and warm,' explains Dominic Myland, CEO at paint brand Mylands. 'Here, painting the walls and ceiling in Pediment No.73, a warm neutral blush, creates a bright but cozy atmosphere.'
3. A tiny pink kitchen color drenched in Faded Rose by Zoffany
In this rustic kitchen designed by Nigel Hunt of Huntreay Design, the kitchen cabinets by Neptune were painted in Zoffany's Faded Rose, blending with the walls to create a cohesive space that makes the most of the smaller proportions.
'Color drenching is an effective way to bring harmony and impact to a kitchen. By painting cabinets, walls, and even the ceiling in single or related shades, you soften the room’s edges and remove visual interruptions, allowing the eye to move fluidly through the space, and not fixate on the cabinetry,' says Fred Horlock, Design Director at Neptune.
'The result is a kitchen that feels cohesive, calming, and seamlessly connected to the rest of the home. It works particularly well in smaller or more enclosed kitchens, where using one color throughout helps to open up the space and create a sense of flow,' adds Fred.
4. An all green kitchen color drenched in Sage by Neptune
In this green kitchen, the cabinets were painted in Neptune's Sage, a calming shade of green that works as a more interesting alternative to neutral tones.
'Soft shades like Sage bring a gentle, tranquil feel, while richer, earthy tones such as Burnham Red or Burnt Sienna add warmth and depth without overwhelming the room,' explains Neptune's Fred Horlock. 'The result is a space that feels both characterful and cohesive – a natural extension of the home.'
5. A warming kitchen color drenched in Fake Tan by Farrow & Ball
Rather than using just one singular shade throughout a kitchen, color drenching can be just as effective by layering varying shades within the same color family.
Here, Farrow & Ball's Fake Tan is used on the kitchen walls, creating the base for the warm color scheme. While the lower oak cabinets aren't painted, the upper cabinets are painted in Neptune's Burnt Sienna, and the kitchen island is painted in Neptune's Burnham Red, creating a color-drenched scheme with added depth through the various red tones.
6. An elegant mossy kitchen color drenched in Bespoke Dark Moss Green
While light neutral paint colors achieve an airy kitchen, going bolder with dark paints feels sophisticated and cozy, much like this deep moss green that wraps this space.
'For us, the benefits are that color drenching achieves a very serene look and feel – it feels cosseting and enveloping, especially when done in a rich, dark, or moody paint color,' says Helen Parker, Creative Director at deVOL Kitchens.
'It is quite amazing how it changes the feel of a room – we have been so used to pale ceilings and woodwork and doors being picked out in a white or cream that drenching feels so much more opulent. I think color drenching works really well in darker paint tones and stronger colors; it has more of a dramatic effect and feels bold,' Helen adds.
7. A trendy teal kitchen color drenched in Crisp Romaine by Benjamin Moore
Continuing the theme of green paints, this kitchen designed by James Thomas features Benjamin Moore's Crisp Romaine in a gloss paint finish across the cabinets, creating a statement and playful look.
'We chose Crisp Romaine because we wanted to infuse the space with a color that, first, reinforced the garden theme we used in the dining room – with the treillage walls – and second, created a bold, color-drenched atmosphere,' explains Tom Riker, founder of the Chicago-based design studio.
'We loved how this high-gloss green added a moody yet happy feel to the room, while also reflecting and amplifying the light. We treated this little double-galley kitchen like a powder room: an opportunity to make a statement and really dress it up.'
8. A dramatic kitchen color drenched in Venetian plaster and Soot by Benjamin Moore
This kitchen takes on a creative approach to color drenching, combining Venetian plaster on the ceiling and walls with kitchen cabinets painted in a similar muted blue, Benjamin Moore's Soot.
'I have only seen color drenching in a Venetian plaster once, so I knew I wanted to take part in this idea,' says designer Elizabeth Bolognino. 'I found the idea of an inky blue profoundly handsome. Because the rest of the house is so light, we wanted to create a different environment and feeling in this room. It is especially intriguing because we typically do not equate dark colors with an indoor-outdoor space.'
9. A sunny yellow kitchen color drenched in Giallo by Little Greene
While yellow paints are bold, they make for an instantly uplifting, cheery space when used liberally in a kitchen. Here, Little Greene's Giallo was used on the walls and cupboards in addition to the ceiling, creating a design statement in this functional room.
'The kitchen, often seen as the heart of the home, is the perfect space to use bolder colors such as Giallo, reminiscent of the golden sun, which will bring joy and create an energetic scheme,' explains Ruth Mottershead, Creative Director at Little Greene. 'For an impactful look, drench your space in color on all four walls. Used all over, Giallo will envelop the kitchen with sunshine all year round.'
From neutral kitchens to colorful kitchens, color-drenching is proving to be an incredibly timeless and enduring paint trend for the heart of the home. Not only is it a simple way to add design flair, but it's a clever way to make this utilitarian space feel more cohesive with fewer visual breaks.
Feeling inspired to take this paint trend elsewhere in your home? We've rounded up a selection of rooms that prove color drenching makes small spaces look bigger, in case you need any more convincing.
