Color-Drenching Room Makeover (Cozy, Moody + Guest Favorite Design)

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Comfort is always my goal when designing a space.

blue color drenched bedroom makeover

I haven’t had the chance to fully try color drenching in my own home yet, but it’s been sitting at the top of my “can’t wait to try this” list… and after this project, I’m completely sold.

color drenched blue bedroom with four poster bed, cozy fireplace and layered blue and green bedding

Check out the full property here: Suite Retreat BnB – bookmark if planning a trip to western PA!

What “Color Drenching” Means

Color drenching is when an entire room is painted in one color tone.

Walls, trim, ceiling, doors. Everything stays within the same color family (or even the exact same shade).

Instead of contrast, the space becomes immersive, cohesive, and intentionally calm.

Why It Works

At first, it might seem like painting everything the same color would hide architectural details.

But interestingly, it often does the opposite.

Without sharp contrast, your eye relaxes… and that allows details to stand out in a softer, more subtle way.

The result:

  • A moody, cozy atmosphere
  • A clean, uncluttered look
  • A space that feels intentional instead of busy

It’s bold, but in a quiet, grounded way.

moody blue bedroom makeover with painted walls, wood floors, bench seating and soft natural light through curtains

How To Try It

If you’re curious but hesitant, here’s how to ease into it:

1. Start small
Try a powder room, bedroom, or office first.

2. Rethink light vs. dark

  • Bright room? Don’t be afraid of lighter tones
  • Low light? Go deeper and moodier (this often works better than fighting it)

3. Use tones if you’re unsure
Same color family, slightly different shades = softer version of the look.

4. Layer in texture
Wood, linens, rugs, metal accents. This keeps the room from feeling flat.

My First Color Drenching Experience

four poster bed styled with layered blue and green pillows and quilt with a wall canopy of green sheet curtains, curtain lights and floral garland

This project was for a short-term rental bedroom.

The space had all the charm of a traditional bed and breakfast.

Traditional before

This is going way back to previous owners and the traditional B&B called “A Step Back in Time”. It was very traditional.

traditional B&B bedroom before

Updated Before

  • Transitional style
  • Worn finishes
  • No headboard
  • Ready for a refresh

The Bantam Bungalow showed a huge improvement, but in person, it felt a little tired and outdated. It was time for an update. Shelby (the owner) was upgrading to a four-poster bed and wanted to create a canopy-style feel.

That decision naturally led to:

  • Fresh paint
  • Updated accessories
  • A more intentional design direction

We wanted something moody, cozy, and memorable.

That’s when we decided to try color drenching.

cream and gray bedroom

After: A Cozy, Immersive Guest Experience

And the result?

Completely transformed.

The room now feels:

  • Comfortable
  • Unique (not your average rental)
  • Immersive in the best way

It’s one of those spaces that feels good the second you walk in.

And based on guest response right away, it quickly became a favorite.

blue painted fireplace with brass surround, floral arrangement and cozy seating in a color drenched moody bedroom

The twinkling lights behind sheer curtains and topped with garland gives this moody space an enchanted forest energy.

carved wood headboard with blue and green pillows and soft string lights in a wall canopy cozy bedroom setting

Is Color Drenching Right for You?

moody cozy layered design ideas for blue color drenched bedroom

If you love a cozy, slightly bold look (but still want calm and simplicity), this is absolutely worth trying.

It works especially well if:

You want your home or rental to stand out

Your room has character you want to enhance

You’re tired of playing it safe with neutral contrast

crowned oval bird art

Paint Color Used

  • Color name: Sherwin Williams Regatta
  • Finish: Eggshell
  • Brand: I believe it was color-matched in Behr. Because in this space, it reads as a rich deep blue with subtle teal undertones depending on the light. So it’s “Regatta” but color match + lighting. Opinion: In this full room application, it reads more like a historic color than a water-inspired color to me.

Get the Look

green glass pendant light glowing against blue color drenched walls and framed forest artwork in moody bedroom

This cozy, color-drenched bedroom came together with layered texture, soft lighting, and a few simple elements that make a big impact.

moody color drenched blue bedroom collage

Bedding & Comfort

  • Oversized Luxury Quilt Set – (it’s not the one shown, it’s in laundry rotation), it’s a rich texture and cozy layering (we’ve even had guests ask to buy it!)
  • Sheet Set – soft, neutral base for contrast

Lighting

Canopy Look (Behind the Headboard)

Helpful Tools

The Confident Room Method

If you’re staring at a space and thinking “I know I want change, I just don’t know where to start…”

That’s exactly why I created this.

The Confident Room Method™ is a guided decorating workbook that walks you step-by-step through creating a space you love, without overthinking every decision.

Think of it like having a design friend sitting beside you.

Get it here: Confident Room Method – Decorating without Doubt

Confident Room Method cover with interior design flatlay

Want More Personalized Help?

I also offer remote design consults through Style Thyme.

If you want:

  • A second set of eyes
  • Clear direction
  • Help pulling everything together

…it’s exactly what I do. Learn more here: Style Thyme Design Consults

Before & After Reveal

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Hallway Paint Refresh

Remember our bathroom remodel? So light and pretty!

LampsPlus Monroe Adjustable Wall Sconce

All of a sudden, the beige hallway felt drab in comparison. The yellowed color just seemed “dirty” next to all that glam. Hey! It’s nothing a quick coat of paint can’t cure!

Hallway before:

hallway refresh @diyshowoff #frogtape

 

A lot doorways in one small area means a lot of trim in this old house so FrogTape® MultiSurface is a must have for creating crisp clean lines, especially in hard to reach spots.

Tape off trim in hard to reach areas.

hallway refresh @diyshowoff #frogtape

 

Burnish edges of tape using thumbnail to activate the Paintblock technology and begin painting.

hallway refresh @diyshowoff #frogtape

 

The difference is subtle when all is said and done but you can see how much brighter the new wall color is during the progress…

hallway refresh @diyshowoff #frogtape

 

While the second coat of paint is still wet, carefully remove FrogTape by pulling away from paint.

hallway refresh @diyshowoff #frogtape

 

After:

hallway refresh @diyshowoff #frogtape

 

I love how clean and fresh it looks and since there is no natural light in this space, the new light color makes a huge difference to me.

hallway refresh @diyshowoff #frogtape

before…

hallway refresh @diyshowoff #frogtape

 

after…

hallway refresh @diyshowoff #frogtape

 

Of course you know what I see, right? A big blank canvas for a future painted accent wall using FrogTape! To be continued!

I received compensation to complete this project for using FrogTape® products. All opinions, projects and ideas are based on my own experience.

Guest Room/Nursery Diagonal Wall Paint Refresh

Our guest room was painted just a few years ago (and the color is a mix of several leftover paints, but I’d say it’s close to Benjamin Moore Smoke). And an occupational hazard of loving DIY and decorating is that walls wind up with tiny nail holes everywhere (they’re just holes! It doesn’t deter me from decorating and doing what I love when it’s such an easy fix). The walls also had some scuffs, etc. And well, with welcoming a grandson into our lives soon, I wanted to freshen up the guest room a bit and to add a few nursery details. So, time to freshen up those walls. 

Guest room before – not bad at all! But I want to freshen up the room, make room for a guest baby too!

poster bed with curtains, turquoise and orange, do it yourself, bedroom makeover

I really like the existing color. So I didn’t want to completely start over. I decided to add Valspar Sandstone Gray to the main areas that needed “freshened up”. How did I do it? By keeping the existing wall color on one wall completely and painting the opposing/opposite wall the new color. Then, the other two walls got a bit of a fun treatment. New color where I patched the nail holes, existing color remains on the bottom half where I didn’t have nail holes. 

Yes, that means a diagonal design. Simple. I am really loving the result!

How did I do the diagonal wall treatment? With…

Diagonal Wall Paint Design Tutorial 

  • FrogTape® Multi-Surface
  • string
  • thumbtacks
  • paint

Note: I tackled this project before sunrise (crazy!) but I couldn’t sleep (it does feel like a productive day when you accomplish so much before lunch). Anyway, please pardon the shadows in the tutorial photos. 

I attached string to the upper most corner of the wall with a thumbtack. Then did the same on the opposite bottom corner of the room.

Diagonal Wall Paint Design Tutorial

I used the string as a guide for placing my FrogTape. 

Diagonal Wall Paint Design TutorialDiagonal Wall Paint Design Tutorial

I used my thumbnail to burnish the edge of the tape that would meet the paint. 

Diagonal Wall Paint Design Tutorial

Removed the thumbtacks/string.

Diagonal Wall Paint Design Tutorial

Then Painted the upper halves of the walls. Two coats. 

Diagonal Wall Paint Design Tutorial

While the second coat was still wet, I removed the FrogTape and allowed the paint to dry before re-decorating. 

Diagonal Wall Paint Design Tutorial

I repeated the same steps on the opposite wall.

Diagonal Wall Paint Design TutorialDiagonal Wall Paint Design Tutorial

I really love the way I still have the original color but it’s updated, fun and freshened up!

Diagnonal Wall Paint Design @diyshowoff Diagnonal Wall Paint Design @diyshowoff

See the full guest room/nursery reveal here

combined guest room nursery reveal @diyshowoffDIY nursery wall decor at diyshowoff.comeasy diagonal wall paint design tutorial @diyshowoffpainted craft box DIY at diyshowoffDIYShowOff Michaels Makers back to school book ends feature

FrogTape Blog Squad

Disclaimer: I received compensation to complete this project for using FrogTape® products. All opinions, projects and ideas are based on my own experience.

Chalk Finish Paint Recipe

I’ve been working on a much needed laundry room makeover (I know! What the heck! We just recently revealed an open pantry makeover and a sweet bathroom transformation). We’ve been busy! But you’re about to get a laundry room sneak peek! As a member of the Lowe’s Creative Ideas team, I had the opportunity to whip up a batch of homemade chalk finish paint and the laundry pedestals I built just happened to be ready for a coat of paint. 

DIYShowOff Laundry Room Pedestals

Note: My laundry pedestals are an Ana-White plan and my first ever real DIY build. What a challenge to say the least! But I’m happy to say: I’m so glad it’s just done! It doesn’t look half bad! It’s functional! My new washer and dryer are at just the right height and I love the addition of a little storage space just underneath. Perfect fit for baskets, laundry baskets too!

DIY laundry pedestal

Chalk-Finish Paint Recipe

DIY Chalk Finish Paint Recipe at DIYShowOff

You’ll need:

Chalky Finish Paint Materials

  • Valspar Signature latex flat paint or latex paint with built-in primer
  • Plastic paint bucket
  • Stir sticks
  • Plaster of Paris
  • Plastic measuring cups (do not reuse for food)
  • Water (use cool, not warm)

How to mix it up:

1. Mix 1/3 cup of plaster of Paris with 1/3 cup cold water in a plastic bucket.

DIY chalk finish paint tutorial

+

DIY chalky finish paint tutorial

2. Stir until completely smooth. 

3. Mix with one cup latex paint and stir completely.

+

how to make DIY chalk finish paint

4. Paint!

chalk finish paint

* Makes enough chalk finish paint for one coat for a 6-drawer dresser. Should not be stored and reused. (Although I did cover and re-use without problem for touch ups after installing the washer and dryer.) For smaller projects, mix less using these proportions, mix more for larger projects. Nontoxic.  To dispose, let dry completely in the container before disposing in trash.

DIY laundry pedestal

What I think:

I have to say, I’m really impressed. I love how smooth it brushes on. I love the chalky-finish. Most of all, I LOVE that primer isn’t needed. I decided on black for the laundry pedestals…

do-it-yourself laundry pedestal

 

{you’ll have to wait on the rest of the laundry room details but coming soon!}

and I then I moved on to painting over a hunter green console table…

DIY-chalk-finish-paint before and after

and dry-brushed it onto the legs of my painted upholstered chairs. 

DIY chalk finish paint, dry brushed

  • Easy to make!
  • No primer!
  • Great coverage!
  • Pretty finish!

What do you think? I’d say it’s a success and will definitely be using this recipe again on other projects in the future! 

More DIY ideas at Lowe’s Creative Ideas, follow Lowe’s on InstagramPinterest and sign up for the Creative Ideas magazine and app!   LCI

*Disclaimer: As a member of the Lowe’s Creative Ideas Creators and Influencers network, I received a Lowe’s gift card to complete this challenge. As always, all ideas and opinions are in my own words. The blog post above is what worked for me. Results may vary. Remember to work in a well-ventilated area and to take the proper safety precautions.

Easy DIY Projects – The Power of Paint

The Power of Paint: Paint and FrogTape (used in each project shown below) are my #1 DIY go-to materials. 

 

When it comes to transforming our house into a home we truly love that reflects our lifestyle and personality, “do-it-yourself” projects are a great budget friendly option. Not only can the result be a gorgeous home, but each DIY accomplishment can be empowering.

Our favorite saying around here is ‘imperfection adds character’ but really, I love that DIY projects are rewarding and motivating for creating a comfortable home for my family. There are no rules. YOU can make our home the way you want it to be. Paint has played a huge part in making over our home. 

So there you have it…paint is my #1 favorite DIY material. What’s yours?
 

*This sponsored by FrogTape. FrogTape provided by Shurtech. The opinions are completely my own based on my own experience.

 FrogTape Blog Squad