Drenching has quickly become one of the most sought-after interior trends, where a single colour, pattern or material dominates a space – from the floor and ceiling to trims and furniture. It’s about fully embracing a look to create a bold and immersive décor.

Over time trends evolve, bringing fresh and exciting new ideas. With the desire to bring nature into the home through organic materials and natural textures, wood drenching has gained momentum. 

Here, Natalie Mudd, Creative Director and Co-Founder of Knot & Grain shares her top tips on how to achieve the wood drenching look at home.

• Start with the floor

“Wood effortlessly brings warmth and texture like no other material. With such a vast range of wood types to choose from, it can be tricky to know where to begin. Wood drenching is all about layering – think, panelling, wood flooring, and furniture. 

A great place to start is the flooring, as its colour and texture will set the tone for the rest of the design. For a modern Scandi-inspired look, opt for light wooden planks with a clean, contemporary finish. If you prefer a rustic look, distressed planks with an undulating surface and characterful knots in warm oak tones will create a cosy lived-in feel. Or, for a sophisticated heritage design, choose herringbone planks in rich shades of walnut and mahogany. Once you’ve made your flooring choice, you can then begin to build the design step by step.”

• Choose your room

“When thinking of wood drenching, the first rooms that come to mind are often an intimate study or bedroom, where you can create a cocooning feel reminiscent of cabins or wood-panelled members’ clubs. While this look complements these spaces, it can also work beautifully in busy areas of the home, like the kitchen.

With the popularity of wood kitchen cabinetry on the rise, wood drenching in the kitchen is the perfect addition. You can either match your flooring to your cabinetry in both tone and texture for a cohesive design or create contrast with wood in different stains. Remember to consider the look you’re aiming for – a contemporary kitchen will naturally suit modern, clean planks, while a country-style kitchen pairs beautifully with a rustic wood floor.”

• How to accessorise 

“Incorporating accessories into the wood drenching trend, it’s all about balance and embracing natural elements. While adding more wooden accessories may seem like the obvious choice – contrast is key to offsetting the many tones of brown.

Look to combine different wood finishes for a varied look and layer with natural linens, stone, and mixed metals. Introduce baskets, hand-thrown pottery, and indoor planters to soften the design and complement the organic nature of wood.”