There is something about an interior space drenched in a warm-colored wood that feels so 70s-inspired. Given that the distinctive decade is having its biggest comeback in home design this year, I'm not surprised that this chic take on the drenching technique is coming out of the woodwork.
Wood drenching is the latest interior design trend that takes wood paneling to another level. The concept has been born out of the famous "color drenching" technique where you douse an entire room — walls, ceilings, and woodwork — in a color of your choosing. In 2025, however, designers are swapping in floor-to-ceiling wood for paint to stunning effect.
What is Wood Drenching?
The basis of color drenching in your home is to find a color you want to coat your walls in and then style the rest of your decor with textures and hues that will work in harmony with your base. Wood drenching acts in the same way by layering the likes of millwork, furniture, and wooden flooring to create warmth and depth.
From furniture to flooring to wood-paneled walls, there are many ways to carry the instant warming quality of wood throughout a space. But channeling the aesthetic you get from, say, Scandinavian-style cabins or cozy ski retreats, versus the less elevated look of a two-by-four shed can be tricky.
How do you decorate with the Wood Drenching technique?
Adding texture to walls with a form of wood paneling can offer a great foundation for wood drenching. Austin Carrier, Interior Designer and Founder of Hommeboys, says that an interior clad with wood creates a unique atmosphere and mood within a home. "Wood brings an organic texture to a space," says Austin. "It offers so much diversity in terms of the different species, stains, and treatments." It's easy to paint our walls a specific color and call it a day, but this technique pushes us to think outside the box and create a space that feels warm and cozy while also catering to variations in style.
But to style something as bold as an all-wood look, the key is balance. While encasing rooms in plenty of wooden materials will make for a sophisticated space, you also need to offset the brown with other accents. "To do this, incorporate rich, textural upholstery, natural stones, and metals," says Austin. "The balance of these materials is really important to get the look right."
Wooden Furniture Buys
You should also avoid relying on one single wood tone. Combine the likes of mahogany, ash, and oak for a varied look, with one on the walls, another on the floors, and the other as an accent through furniture. A darker wood drench will play on that cool-chic vibe of the 70s and give your home a groovy, stylish look, while a light wood will cater to a more minimalist or Scandinavian design.
Austin says to not be scared of going all in with this look. Adding wood to your walls and throughout your space "is a great way to add architecture to a space that is lacking in detail; as well as elevate the space with a more handmade, custom quality," he adds.
Installing wood paneling on walls or hardwood floors is no mean feat, but you can wood drench in other ways that are easier to accomplish in any home. (Think faux bois DIYs or built-ins.) Furniture items like wooden accent chairs or lamps with heavy wooden bases are lovely touches to start drenching your home in this warm, rich way.
Will you embrace the wood-drenching trend? If you're looking to make your home feel cozier, warmer, and more welcoming, it's the place to start.
