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How to transform a room with one colour

Room painted in the one colour being green

Overview

Colour drenching is a bold interior design technique where an entire space is ‘drenched’ in a single, dominant colour. This involves using different shades and tones of your chosen colour on walls, furniture, and accessories, creating a harmonious feeling in the room. It’s an easy and affordable way to modernise any room. We’re sharing advice on how to transform a room with just one colour in this step-by-step D.I.Y. guide.

Safety tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, gloves, and a mask, for example) and always follow the instructions for the product or equipment. Always store products out of the reach of children and pets and always work in a well-ventilated area when working with spray paint.

Steps

1Prepare the room

Prepare the space by removing any furniture. Larger pieces that are too heavy to move can be covered with a drop sheet. Fill any holes with gap filler and give any imperfections (like old windowsills, bumps, dents or uneven surfaces) a good sand. Wipe down all the surfaces with a damp cloth and tape off any edges with painter’s tape. Finally, cover the remainder of the floor with drop sheets.
A person wearing a red T-shirt and a face mask is holding a Ryobi sander with both hands

2Drench the room in a colour

Colour drenching is a great styling choice for bedrooms, bathrooms, hallways and generally any room in the house. It’s an easy D.I.Y. project and the end result looks modern and clean.

Select a colour that resonates with your taste and the mood you want to create. Apply different shades of your chosen colour to the walls and furnishings, changing up the tone for added depth. Many designers play around with the paint’s finish, mixing in both gloss and matte across a variety of textures, such as timber or plaster.

Green Bunnings hammer
Tip: Ensure proper lighting to prevent overwhelming the space; you’d be surprised how light can change your perception of colour.
A woman in a red T-shirt is using a paint roller to apply green paint to the ceiling

3Mix the paint

Next, prepare the paint you’ve chosen for the room. Give the paint tin a good shake before opening it and stirring it thoroughly with a paint stirrer. Pour some paint into a paint tray and give your paint roller an even coat. Dip it into the tray and make sure the whole roller sleeve is covered. Roll the roller along the ridges in the paint tray to remove excess paint – this little trick helps avoid drips and ensures a polished, professional look. Start rolling a 'W' or 'M' pattern on to the wall; this will help you cover a nice wide area. Fill in any blank spots on the wall with strokes moving up and down.
Green Bunnings hammer
Tip: Keep the edges of your paint wet so you can blend your strokes seamlessly.
A person with blue jeans is kneeling, holding a paint stirrer in one hand, while placing the other hand on Dulux Wash and Wear paint

4Apply the second coat

Applying a second coat while colour drenching ensures a rich, vibrant finish. After allowing the first coat to dry completely, inspect the walls for any uneven areas or subtle colour variations. Concentrate on these areas when you add the next coat, following the same technique you used for the first.
Green Bunnings hammer
Tip: One of the fun aspects of colour drenching is that you can use various concentrations of the original colour to add depth to the room. Speak with one of our Team Members in-store and they can adjust the formula accordingly to achieve your desired strength and colour. Thoroughly stir the mixture to ensure a consistent colour, and always test a small sample before applying it to the entire surface.
In a red T-shirt, a woman is using a paint roller to apply green paint to the ceiling in a room with green walls

5Paint furniture, architraves and trims

For more subtle contrast and depth, try opting for a different paint finish. Simply apply your chosen paint finish to desired areas or pieces of furniture in the room, like wardrobes, drawers, window trims, or architraves. This will help them stand out and it will give the room more of an eye-catching, 3D look.
Green Bunnings hammer
Tip: We’ve gone for a semi-gloss, but you’ve got plenty of options to pick from – for example, full-gloss, matte, satin or even a textured finish.
A woman, wearing a red T-shirt, is using a paintbrush to apply green paint to the architraves

6Upcycle old furniture

Now is a great time to upcycle any old furniture in the room to match the new aesthetic. You can do this by adding a fresh coat of paint to the furniture in the same colour as the room to continue with the colour drenching theme.

A hand holding a paintbrush is applying a coat of green paint to a piece of furniture

7Create a feature wall

Add some visual interest with a feature wall. Begin by selecting a standout colour or pattern, contrasting with the existing walls. Choose a wall that naturally draws focus, such as one with architectural features or behind a focal point, like an artwork or mirror. Apply your chosen paint, wallpaper, or wall decal.
Green Bunnings hammer
Tip: Be meticulous with the edges and uniform coverage.
A person in a red T-shirt is hanging a basketball on the wall hooks, joining four other basketballs already placed on the wall

8Add some style touches

Play around with pillows, rugs, books, furniture and home decor items like candles and jewellery holders. This will tie the room together and make it feel cosy and complete.
A Bunnings team member is holding a guitar in both hands in a neatly decorated room where five basketballs are hanging on the wall

9Transform old furniture...

Breathe new life into old furniture by upcycling it. We’ll show you how.
Health & Safety

Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.

When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.