While ‘colour drenching’ was all the rage this year, its sister, a different painting technique, is set to take centre stage in 2026 – colour capping.
What sets this technique apart from colour drenching is its use of varying shades and tones in the same colour family. Easy on paper, and an awesome DIY project to add to your 2026 list, interior designers have explained that it helps to create visual interest without overwhelming a space. When done right, it can make spaces feel taller and more aligned. While it’s not technically a tricky technique to master, we’ve put together a list of steps and tips to help you get the best out of your next DIY project.
What is colour capping?
Unlike colour drenching, where one colour immerses a room, making it feel larger or cosier, colour capping involves using graduated tones in the same colour family. It typically starts with the darker gradient at the bottom and transitions to lighter shades as you move towards the ceiling. Or, some people enjoy using this technique in reverse – with bold, dark colours on the ceiling with transition colours moving towards the floor.
This technique focuses on using subtle tonal shifts to add dimension and interest without the need for extras, like moulding or wainscoting. One colour family is chosen, and three to five different shades are used to build depth. This visual impact can completely change how a space feels – lighter tones near the ceiling draw the eye upwards, making the room appear taller, while darker tones create a cosy atmosphere.
Rooms that are most suited to this style include living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, entryways and hallways. Avoid colour capping in rooms that have many windows or architectural details – these may compete with the horizontal tonal bands and overwhelm the space.
While many interior designers stick with a gradient flow from floor to ceiling, you might feel like breaking the rules and mixing it up, especially if you have a unique space you’re decorating. The best way to successfully incorporate this trend is by maintaining a smooth tonal gradient, transitioning gradually from light to dark. And this doesn’t only mean with paint – use decor to help maintain a smooth tonal gradient (think duvet sets, throw pillows, blankets, rugs, lamps and artwork).
How to incorporate this trend into your space
1. Pick a spot
- Ideal spaces for this trend include bedrooms, living rooms, hallways, and nooks.
- Consider lighting, ceilings and the existing colour palette of the space.
- Decide what you’re aiming for to choose the flow of the gradient: darker tones on ceilings make the space feel cosy, lighter tones moving upward from the floor create the illusion of height, and darker tones on window frames, moulding and architectural details help define zones in a space.
2. Pick a colour
- Decide whether you want to work with the existing palette or choose a totally new one.
- Think about the mood you want for the space: warm vs cool, or bold vs neutral.
- Colours that work well in this trend include deep berry, sage green, warm clay, terracotta shades, midnight blue, mustard, and charcoal.
- Note the size of the space, small versus large, and whether you want to highlight it or change it.
3. Prep the space
- Remove or cover furniture.
- Clean and prime the area: focusing on the walls, ceiling, and other details you want to paint.
- Measure the cap line, about 1/3 or 1/2 the wall, or follow the flow of architectural lines and details.
- Use painter’s tape for clean edges.
- Test your colour on different areas with different natural lighting throughout the day to make sure your plan and colour are what you really want.
4. Cap away
Now that you’ve put in the hard work for the foundations – choosing the colour palette, testing the samples, and finishing the necessary prep work – you’re ready to start painting! Remember that the best finishing touches after painting are the decor placement. Use artwork, lighting, furniture placements, rugs, etc, to bring your idea to life.
Colour capping has already started taking over new painting trends in interior design. Since it’s a pretty straightforward trend, it makes for a creative and fun DIY project to tackle, resulting in a budget-friendly way to refresh spaces. Don’t be afraid to experiment and take risks – colour capping is a high-reward technique, even for beginners.
