Why Real Estate Investors Are Using Color Drenching as a Low-Cost Upgrade in STRs and Rentals

Real estate investors tend to be skeptical of design trends and for good reason. Trends come and go, and nobody wants to sink money into something that feels dated before the paint dries.

But color drenching sits in a different category. This is not about chasing what is “in.” It is about using one of the cheapest renovation tools available to give a property instant personality, cohesion, and emotional pull.

And for STRs and rentals, that matters more than ever.

What Is Color Drenching in Interior Design?

Color drenching means painting the walls, trim, doors, and sometimes the ceiling the same color. Instead of relying on contrast, the room becomes immersive.

The effect is subtle but powerful. Spaces feel intentional, elevated, and finished without adding a single material upgrade. And from a cost standpoint, it typically costs no more than standard painting, since labor and materials remain the same.

 Why Real Estate Investors Are Using Color Drenching in STRs and Rentals

The biggest problem with most rentals and flips is not layout or square footage. It is that they feel generic.

Listings blur together. Photos lack impact. Guests scroll past.

Color drenching solves that with paint alone. It:

• Adds personality without increasing renovation budgets

• Creates rooms that photograph better online

• Makes modest properties feel designed instead of default

• Helps STRs stand out in saturated markets

This is a perceived-value upgrade, which is where real ROI lives.

 Is Color Drenching a Trend or a Smart Rental Upgrade?

Yes, color drenching is a trend and that is exactly why it works.

Here is the part most investors overlook: you are going to repaint anyway.

Furnished rentals typically need repainting every 5–8 years. STRs with high turnover often need it sooner. Even long-term rentals get refreshed between tenants.

So the question is not whether the color will age perfectly forever. The question is whether it improves performance during the lifespan it was always going to have.

If a color-drenched room:

• Gets more clicks

• Books faster

• Feels more memorable

• Improves demand or nightly rates

Then it has already done its job long before the next repaint cycle.

Paint is temporary. Performance is what matters.

 How Color Drenching Improves Rental Photos and Booking Performance

Online, neutral rooms disappear. Color-drenched rooms stop the scroll.

They create contrast against listing feeds full of white walls and builder-grade finishes. They photograph with depth and intention. And they signal confidence something buyers and guests subconsciously associate with quality and care.

That emotional response is what drives saves, bookings, and stronger offers.

 Best Rooms for Color Drenching in STRs and Investment Properties

This is not a whole-house strategy. It is a targeted upgrade.

Best rooms:

• Bedrooms

• Offices

• Powder rooms

• Dining rooms

• Smaller living spaces

These rooms benefit from mood and containment, and they are easy to repaint later if needed.

Use caution in:

• Large open-concept main floors

• Poorly lit transitional spaces

• Properties targeting extremely conservative buyers

Intentional placement matters more than volume.

 Why Paint Is One of the Highest ROI Design Upgrades for Investors

Paint is already in your renovation budget. Color drenching simply asks you to use it more strategically.

It creates the impression of thoughtfulness without requiring expensive materials, custom work, or longer timelines. And perceived value—especially in rentals—is what drives better performance.

 Final Thoughts: When to Use Color Drenching in Rentals and Flips

Color drenching is not about being trendy. It is about using a low-cost tool you already planned to use to make your property stand out instead of blend in.

If you are repainting anyway, then you might as well use that moment to give your investment property personality.

That is not risky. That is smart investing.