Color Drenching & Burgundy Accents: This Year's Hottest Interior Design Moves

In the ever-evolving world of interior design, 2025 has ushered in bold new approaches to color that are transforming how we experience our spaces. At the forefront of this revolution is a technique that's captivating designers and homeowners alike: color drenching. Paired with rich burgundy accents, this approach is redefining what it means to create a sophisticated, immersive environment. Let's dive into why these design moves are making such waves and how you can incorporate them into your own home.

The Color Drenching Revolution

Gone are the days when white walls with the occasional accent wall were considered the height of design sophistication. Color drenching—the practice of enveloping an entire room in a single, rich hue from floor to ceiling—has emerged as one of the most striking interior design trends of 2025.

This immersive approach extends beyond just walls to include trim, doors, built-ins, and even furniture, creating a cohesive, enveloping experience that transforms the entire mood of a space. The result? Rooms that feel intentional, dramatic, and unexpectedly spacious.

"Color drenching creates a sense of infinity in a room," explains Donovan Lord, principal architect at dld studio. "When everything is washed in the same hue, the boundaries between different elements blur, allowing the eye to travel continuously around the space without interruption."

Why It Works: The Psychology Behind Immersive Color

The appeal of color drenching goes beyond mere aesthetics. There's compelling psychology behind why we're drawn to these monochromatic environments:

Emotional impact: A color-drenched space evokes a specific mood or emotional tone with greater intensity than spaces with competing colors.
Perceived spaciousness: Contrary to what you might expect, using one color throughout can actually make a space feel larger by eliminating visual breaks.
Focus enhancement: Monochromatic environments can reduce visual distractions, allowing greater focus on texture, form, and the activities taking place in the space.

Choosing Your Drench: Popular Colors for 2025

While color drenching can work with virtually any hue, certain colors have emerged as favorites for this technique in 2025:

Forest greens: Creating a biophilic connection that brings the outdoors in
Deep blues: Evoking tranquility and depth, especially effective in bedrooms and studies
Terracotta and clay tones: Offering warmth and grounding energy to living spaces
Muted sage: Providing a softer approach to the green trend that works well in transitional spaces
Charcoal grays: Delivering sophisticated drama without the heaviness of true black

The Burgundy Revolution: Why This Rich Hue Is Having a Moment

Alongside color drenching, burgundy has emerged as the accent color of the year. This deep, complex red with purple undertones brings instant sophistication to any space. After years dominated by cooler tones, the design world is embracing the warmth and richness that burgundy delivers.

Burgundy works particularly well because:

It creates a sense of luxury and sophistication without appearing ostentatious
The color has historical associations with elegance and refinement
Its depth makes it versatile enough to pair with both light and dark backgrounds
It brings warmth to spaces that might otherwise feel cool or sterile

The Perfect Marriage: Combining Color Drenching with Burgundy Accents

When you merge these two trends, the results can be spectacular. Here's how to make this combination work:

Option 1: Burgundy as the Drench Color

For those bold enough to embrace it, a burgundy-drenched room creates an undeniably luxurious environment. In this scenario:

Use varying textures of burgundy throughout the space to create depth
Incorporate metallic accents in brass or gold to highlight the richness of the color
Balance the intensity with neutrals in your accessories and textiles
Consider natural wood elements to ground the space

Option 2: Burgundy as the Accent to a Drenched Room

More commonly, burgundy works beautifully as an accent within a space drenched in another color:

Against forest green, burgundy creates a rich, nature-inspired palette
Paired with deep blues, it offers a sophisticated contrast that feels both classic and contemporary
Within a neutral drenched space (taupes or soft grays), burgundy provides focal points that draw the eye

Practical Tips for Successful Color Drenching

If you're ready to dive into this trend, here are some practical considerations to ensure success:

1. Choose the Right Paint

Opt for quality: When a single color dominates your space, quality matters more than ever
Consider finish variations: Use the same color in different finishes (matte on walls, satin on trim) to create subtle depth
Test extensively: What looks great on a small swatch can feel overwhelming at room scale—always test your color in large sections

2. Mind Your Proportions

Small spaces: Color drenching can work magnificently in smaller rooms, creating jewel-box effects
Large spaces: Consider breaking up very large spaces with subtle variations in tone or texture
Height considerations: In rooms with very high ceilings, bringing the ceiling color down onto the upper portion of the walls can create a more intimate feeling

3. Layer in Texture

The key to preventing a color-drenched space from feeling flat lies in texture:

Incorporate varied materials such as velvet, linen, wood, and metal
Consider wall treatments like ribbed panels, grasscloth, or textured plaster
Add dimensional elements through architectural details or sculptural furniture

4. Lighting Considerations

The impact of your color-drenched space will change dramatically depending on lighting:

Natural light: Consider how your color changes throughout the day
Artificial light: Warm vs. cool lighting will significantly affect how your color appears
Accent lighting: Use directional lighting to highlight textural elements within your monochromatic scheme

Burgundy Accent Strategies

When incorporating burgundy accents into your color-drenched space, consider these approaches:

1. Furniture Pieces

A burgundy sofa or armchair becomes an instant focal point in a color-drenched room, especially against cooler tones like blues or greens.

2. Textiles and Soft Furnishings

For a more subtle approach, incorporate burgundy through:

Throw pillows and blankets
Drapery or roman shades
Area rugs or runners
Bedding in a bedroom setting

3. Art and Accessories

Burgundy can make a striking statement through:

Large-scale artwork with burgundy elements
Ceramic vessels or decorative objects
Lampshades or pendant lights
Books with burgundy spines arranged on shelves

Real-World Applications

At dld studio, we've implemented color drenching and burgundy accents across several recent projects:

A home office drenched in deep forest green with a burgundy leather desk chair and brass accents
A dining room enveloped in charcoal gray with burgundy velvet dining chairs and gold-toned lighting
A powder room completely washed in a deep burgundy, creating a jewel-box effect with antique brass fixtures

The transformative power of these techniques can't be overstated. Spaces that once felt disconnected or ordinary suddenly possess a sense of intention and sophistication that elevates the entire home.

Beyond Trends: Creating Timeless Spaces

While color drenching and burgundy accents are certainly trending in 2025, when done thoughtfully, these approaches can create spaces with lasting appeal. The key is implementation that respects both the architecture of your space and how you live within it.

"Great design should always feel personal," notes Donovan Lord. "These techniques provide a framework, but the specific colors and how you implement them should reflect your own aesthetic sensibilities and lifestyle needs."

Getting Started

If you're intrigued by these design moves but feeling hesitant about committing to them, consider starting small:

Try color drenching a powder room, walk-in closet, or small study before tackling larger spaces
Introduce burgundy through easily changeable elements like pillows or throws
Experiment with temporary solutions like removable wallpaper in a drenched effect
Consult with a professional designer who can help visualize how these techniques would work in your specific space

Final Thoughts

Color drenching and burgundy accents represent a welcome shift toward more personal, expressive interiors after years of neutral minimalism. These techniques allow homeowners to create spaces with distinct character and emotional resonance—environments that feel both current and timeless.

Whether you embrace these trends wholeheartedly or incorporate them selectively, they offer exciting possibilities for transforming how you experience your home. At dld studio, we're excited to see how these design moves continue to evolve and inspire throughout 2025 and beyond.

Ready to explore how color drenching and burgundy accents might transform your space? Visit our website to see more examples of our work or to schedule a consultation.