These 9 Vibrant Rooms Feel Like Another World — and Define 2025’s Boldest Paint Trend
2025 proved to be the year of going all in — aka fully embracing the drama that comes with monochromatic, color-drenched spaces. Whether it was double-drenching rooms (where you paint all available spaces in two or more related shades) or wood-drenching (using wood everywhere), it’s safe to say that homeowners and designers alike were drenching their spaces. And I couldn’t be happier.
I love the cocooning feeling that color-drenching a room brings; IMO it feels like a warm hug and a safe space. I’m not the only one who feels this way. Several House Tour participants completely covered their rooms in striking shades. So much so that the trend doesn’t seem to be going anywhere in the new year, according to the 140 designers interviewed for Apartment Therapy’s State of Home Design (SOHD).
Designers told Apartment Therapy editors that “Rich nature- and food-inspired neutrals are still soaring in popularity, and color drenching will continue to bring drama to walls, trimwork, and ceilings,” the SOHD report explains.
If you want to get in on the trend (which might end up being a timeless design choice), you’re not too late! Find inspiration through these real homes to color-drench your space.
Benjamin Moore’s “Evening Blue” Adds Drama to This Bedroom
When Javier Riostello first visited his Manhattan rental apartment, he described it as a “soulless white box.” But in no time, the architect and designer drenched the home in drama — especially the primary bedroom. Using Benjamin Moore’s “Evening Blue,” Javier covered the walls and ceilings. “It feels like waking up in Mexico. Wicker and medium wood complete the scene,” he said at the time of the House Tour.
Visit the full House Tour to see how Javier used dramatic colors in his apartment.
Sherwin-Williams’ “Vast Sky” Makes This Brooklyn Bedroom Feel Dreamy
Interior Designer Sydney Moss uses her Bay Ridge, Brooklyn apartment as a “space to experiment, see what works, and play with [her] aesthetic sensibilities.” It’s evident that there was a bit of playfulness in the primary bedroom based on how she used Sherwin-Williams’ “Vast Sky” on the walls and ceiling to create a cozy effect.
Check out the full House Tour to see more of Sydney’s wonderful space.
Benjamin Moore’s “Black Forest Green” Doesn’t Feel Too Dark in This Bedroom
Even though Alex Hinand’s primary bedroom in his eclectic Chicago apartment is almost black (it’s painted with Benjamin Moore’s “Black Forest Green”), it doesn’t feel dark. That’s thanks to the gorgeous balance of inky walls and bright furniture, like the green tufted bed from Wayfair.
Explore more of this colorful apartment in the full House Tour.
Green Paint Makes This ADU’s Primary Bedroom Feel Extra Cozy
Remember the double-drenching trend I mentioned earlier? Hannah Casparian’s maximalist accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is a case study in that practice. A throughline of green shades colors the entire home, but the room that’s most striking is the primary bedroom, which is drenched in an unknown shade of bright green.
See how all the rooms speak to each other with paint in the full House Tour.
Benjamin Moore’s “Gentleman’s Gray” Helps These Renters Sleep Well
As an illustrator and tattoo artist, Elizabeth Lai was very thoughtful in choosing the paint colors for her mid-century modern Brooklyn apartment. “When deciding on paint colors, each room focuses on a different element,” she said at the time of the House Tour. Their bedroom is already a “very, very dim room,” so they painted it Benjamin Moore’s “Gentleman’s Gray” because blue is said to promote restful sleep.
Look through more of Elizabeth’s color-focused home in the full House Tour.
Valspar’s “Coconut Husk” Proved To Be a Controversial Color-Drenching Choice
“I really do keep painting my house the color of feces. I don’t know why, and I can’t stop doing it, but it looks really good on camera,” Apartment Therapy’s House Tour Cover Story participant, Imani Keal, said about the paint color in the primary bedroom in her Washington, D.C., apartment. Even though it caused controversy online, Imani stands by her decision to color-drench her room with Valspar’s “Coconut Husk.”
Explore more of Imani’s DIYed home in the full House Tour.
Benjamin Moore’s “Conch Shell” and “Just Peachy” Are Gorgeously Mixed in This Bedroom
Photographer Averie Cole knows a thing or two about painting. Her knowledge and talent are best expressed through the various murals and painting decisions (like an ombre kitchen) in her Jersey City loft. At the time of the House Tour, her design rule ethos was, “Paint First, Regret Later: Life’s too short to second-guess a paint choice. Just go for it.” She went for it in the primary bedroom, which is drenched in a mix of Benjamin Moore’s “Just Peachy” and “Conch Shell.”
Check out the rest of this colorful loft in the full House Tour.
Behr’s “Medieval Wine” Makes an Apartment Hallway Feel Enveloping
Lakesha Charles has rented a light-filled, colorful NYC apartment for 10 years, and during that time, she’s transformed it into a cozy oasis away from the hustle and bustle of city life. That’s in large part because of her wonderful paint color choices that are on the walls, trim, and ceilings. For example, a hallway, painted with Behr’s “Medieval Wine,” seems to envelope you.
See even more beautiful photos of Lakesha’s apartment in the full House Tour.
Sherwin-Williams’ “Rojo Dust” Makes a Kitchen Feel Inviting
Since Lakesha Charles color-drenched her hallway, it’s no surprise that she did the same in the light-filled kitchen in her New York City apartment. She used Sherwin-Williams’ “Rojo Dust” on the walls and ceilings, making the space feel warm and inviting for testing new recipes.
Visit the full House Tour to see more of this colorful apartment.