Colour capping: What is it and how to use in your bedroom

Introducing the new paint trend taking the design world by storm: Colour capping. 

This refined yet striking technique plays around with tonal layering to create an environment that’s packed full of depth, drama, and fluidity. By gradually deepening different shades from floor to ceiling, colour capping adds a subtle yet sophisticated finish to any bedroom.  

It’s clear to see why this new trend is gaining momentum. In fact, it’s whispered that colour capping is set to be the biggest paint trend of 2026 – watch this space! 

Fancy getting ahead of the curve and creating a bedroom design that’s sure to wow your guests? Grab your paintbrushes and let’s get to work…

Whilst there are a few different ways you can do it, depending on who you ask, the official colour capping definition (according to Benjamin Moore) is the technique of taking increasingly darker tones of one colour and working it upwards in your room. That means taking a lighter shade from your skirting boards and darkening the tone as you reach right up to your ceiling. Essentially, the higher you paint, the deeper the colour – all capped off at the ceiling.  

Not to be confused with tone-on-tone design, which is where similar shades are taken from the same family and dotted around the room, colour capping is all about creating a gradient on your walls and ceiling, through colour blocking.

Credit: Little Greene

Wondering if your bedroom is too small for colour capping? We’ve got good news for you! Colour capping actually works best in smaller rooms, as it can create the illusion of extra height, drawing the eye upwards. Colour capping is also fantastic for highlighting any architectural features that you may have. Essentially, this technique makes your ceiling the star of the show – so if you’re happy with that, this is the design for you.

Colour capping is subtle but incredibly impactful. It can highlight any period details or architectural gems you may have, like fancy cornices or wall panelling, as well as giving your ceiling more presence. Furthermore, depending on what shades you choose to use, you can create a vast range of different bedroom ambiences, from gentle and soothing to bold and sophisticated.  

It’s also a softer alternative for those who may be interested in colour-drenching but don’t want to commit to drenching your entire room in one solid colour, as the slight variation in shades brings subtlety to your space.

Credit: Benjamin Moore

There’s no exact science to this painting style. However, for best practice, we’d recommend considering each element in your bedroom, paying particular attention to your walls, any cornicing, and ceiling. You may want to split this up into sections and choose a different shade for each part. 

Let’s take this image from Benjamin Moore, for example. See how the walls and inside of the fireplace are painted in a light pink colour. Moving upwards, the beautiful cornices are painted in a deeper dusty rose pink, and finally, the ceiling is in a darker still pink shade. This technique means the pinks gradually deepen as the eye naturally draws upwards, and the darkest colour is ‘capped’ at the top – hence the name!

Credit: Benjamin Moore

To bring this to life, let’s look at some of our favourite colour capping palettes to use in your next bedroom makeover… 

1. Ocean blues

First up, let’s dive into the deep sea with a calming blue colour capping design. Blues, from soft seafoam light hues to nightfall navy, are perfect for this paint technique, particularly in bedrooms that crave serenity.  

Start by painting your skirting boards (and even floorboards if you want to go all out) in a light misty blue tone. Next, take a dusky blue shade onto your walls, and darken to a deeper shade when you reach the ceiling and any high-up architectural details. The shades should blend and drift into each other, just like the ocean itself!

2. Golden sunset tones

Are you a sunset chaser? Experience golden hour 24/7 with a sundown-inspired colour capping palette.  

Begin at the bottom with your lightest shades, such as a pretty peach or soft apricot, then wrap your bedroom walls in a warm, golden ochre tone. This is an ideal backdrop for matching your furniture, such as our velvet Vicenza armchair. Next, you’ll want to layer richer tones and finish with a deep blush hue, for the end of your sunset. This colour scheme is sure to bring a deliciously warm glow to your bedroom.

3. Rich reds

For a confident bedroom design that’s just as cosy and warm, try colour capping with rich red tones.  

Think bright crimson on your skirting boards and door frames, walls enveloped in a warm terracotta, and a ceiling that melts into a dark, velvety burgundy or wine-red shade. Whilst this bold colour palette may not be for everyone or every room, if you’re looking to create a moody, romantic bedroom, it’s certainly the ideal choice. After all, your bedroom is a private haven that should feel personal to you, and this colour scheme is a perfect fit.

4. Grounding browns

Looking for a new classic? For a truly timeless bedroom design, opt for some beautiful brown tones for your colour capping.  

Starting from the bottom and working upwards, begin with a soft caramel or tan shade on your skirting boards. Paint the bulk of your walls in a warm midtone, such as chestnut, and finish with your richest brown shade on the top details, like espresso or dark chocolate. The result is grounding and cocooning, bringing a quiet luxury to your space. We love this colour palette because it suits everyone; from shared couples spaces to bachelor pads.

5. Elegant neutrals

Credit: @ourwoodfield3storey

Prefer a more muted approach? For a pared-back bedroom design with a twist, try creating a colour-capping design with your favourite neutral shades. This technique works beautifully with both warm, brown-based neutrals and cooler, grey tones alike.  

For the former, we’d suggest starting with sandy beige at the bottom, and building up to a midtone such as stone or mushroom. Then, pick a darker neutral shade, such as taupe, tan, or clay, for your ceiling and upper details. This tonal look may be quiet, but it’ll still bring plenty of drama and elegance to your space. It’s an aesthetic that whispers instead of shouting.   

Didn’t see anything you fancied? Check out even more colour inspiration here.

Give colour capping a try and transform your bedroom design into a tonal masterpiece. Whether you’re dreaming of a golden-hued sunset, or a softly layered neutral rainbow, colour capping is a great technique to add instant depth and dimension to your bedroom design.