The Design Trick That Will Change How You Feel About White Walls
Consider this expert-backed trick before you paint.
When you picture a color-drenched room, a monochromatic blue, green, or even pink living area probably comes to mind. Typically a look made for maximalists, color drenching is exactly what it sounds like: covering every surface, including the walls, ceiling, doors, millwork, and even fixtures like radiators, in a single color. But what if this design trend could be the trick to transforming an all-white room, too?
I speak from experience when I say that selecting the right shade of white isn’t as simple as it seems. Having spent hours sampling various internet-viral white paints until I almost started seeing red instead, I know what a crucial decision this is. A clean yet creamy, not-too-bright white elevates a home like nothing else, especially when it’s applied everywhere. The experts agree. Ahead, designers share the benefits of “color drenching” interiors white, the neutral paint colors they recommend to their clients, and more.
How to Pick The Perfect White Paint Color
First things first: find a shade of white that will complement your home. And there’s a lot to consider. “When I select a white for a client, I take into account other whites in the space, lighting direction, other finishes, and their overall goals,” says Marissa Warner, founder and creative director at The Home Narrative. According to her, choosing the best white or off-white paint can be one of the most challenging design decisions. “Neutrals change the most and are unpredictable, unlike full saturated colors that stay pretty consistent.”
But one fool-proof way to select a white is to steer clear of anything too stark. Rhiannon Hageman, interior designer and partner at Hagemen Homes, encourages her clients to opt for warm whites or ivories. “We don’t want a sterile feeling, but rather a cozy and elegant aesthetic,” she says.
The Benefits of Painting Every Surface White
You’ve compared dozens of white paints, analyzed the sunlight in your living room, and studied everything there is to know about undertones and light reflective values. You found a winner and painted it on your walls. But don’t put that brush down yet—for a seamless look, the ceiling, doors and trim should ideally all match.
“If I have a client that wants warmth who is afraid of yellow or red undertones, I recommend a consistent application of color,” says Warner. She explains that with this technique, any undesirable undertones in the paint will go undetected because there’s nothing to compare them to. “The moment you apply a stark white trim or ceiling color with those off whites is when you will see the undertones the most.”
An added bonus of color drenching with white paint? The visual effect of more square footage. “Consistent application of color allows the room to feel larger, as there are no visual breaking points created by the trim or ceiling,” says Warner. Plus, it’ll create a sophisticated backdrop for your decor. “An all-white room allows the eye to focus on other elements such as beautiful fabrics, historic architectural details, and collections of art,” says Hageman.
More Expert-Backed Recommendations
Interior designers will be the first to tell you that picking a white paint is never black and white. While she doesn’t like to give suggestions sight unseen, Warner does have two favorites when color drenching: Cloud White by Benjamin Moore and Whitetail by Sherwin Williams. Hageman is partial to Benjamin Moore’s Linen White for its versatility. But no matter the shade, both designers prefer an eggshell finish for the walls, a satin finish for the trim and doors, and an ultra-flat finish for the ceiling, which creates dimension when using a single color.
And even though the right white is entirely subjective, Warner cautions her clients against one in particular. “Anyone who follows me online knows that I will never recommend Chantilly Lace by Benjamin Moore.” She says on TikTok, “It’s very problematic with other colors.”
All in all, choosing a white paint to color drench with will always be a case-by-case situation. “Unfortunately, there is no one white that looks good in every space,” says Warner. “They all have the potential to look truly horrific—absolutely stunning.”
