The latest season of And Just Like That has given us many things to obsess over—Miranda’s questionable choices, Aidan’s intentions, and, most of all, Carrie’s stunning new home, a townhouse filled with gorgeous paneled walls.
What we’re witnessing through Carrie’s house is the rise of panel drenching, which has exploded as part of the broader “drenching” movement that’s been taking over interiors—essentially, filling a space with a certain motif. Color drenching dominated 2024, and more homeowners are now pushing the envelope with material drenching, stripe drenching, and wood drenching. It makes perfect sense when you consider how we’re living now—there’s a hunger for texture, warmth, and spaces that feel intentionally crafted.
Our favorite fictional columnist is the latest to hop on this trend, in her case with panel drenching. Summa Costani of Panels by Sofia explains, “Panel drenching is part of the bold and maximalist approach to home decor. It’s a great way to create a cohesive and immersive space and involves installing panelling on one or more of your walls and coordinating this on other key features and surfaces.”
She continues, «Adding texture is a really popular way of transforming your home in 2025 and panel drenching is the perfect way to create a beautifully harmonized space.»
Panel drenching sparks a particular interest in designers because it bridges the gap between maximalism and sophistication. Unlike traditional wainscoting that stops at chair rail height, panel drenching involves installing coordinated panelling throughout multiple walls and surfaces, creating an immersive, cohesive look that feels luxurious and intentional.
In Carrie’s case, the panel drenching in her new home “exudes luxury and creates a beautifully timeless finish, particularly as it’s painted in a bright off-white shade,” Costani notes.
If panel drenching is elegant enough for Carrie Bradshaw’s next adventure, it’s certainly worth considering for your own home. Here’s your guide to mastering panel drenching like a pro.
Choose Your Panel Style Strategically
The foundation of successful panel drenching starts with selecting the right design for your taste. “Consider the overall style you’re looking to create in your home,” Costandi advises. “For a traditional, country home aesthetic, heritage wall panels such as tongue and groove, bead and butt or shaker style will help bring a classic charm to your space.”
For those drawn to contemporary elegance, “ribbed and fluted designs are very on-trend and great for adding elegance by using interesting texture to create a sophisticated and stylish look.” And if minimalism is more your speed, “opt for slat wall panels that use clean lines to create a seamless finish.”
Scale Your Panels to Your Space
“The size and layout of your room or space is very important when it comes to panel drenching as you don’t want to over—or under—whelm the space,» Costandi tells us.
Working with a cozy room? «For smaller rooms, consider designs with vertical lines, such as ribbed, fluted or slat wall panels as the lines naturally draw the eye upwards, creating the illusion of more space.» Blessed with generous square footage? «When working with a larger space, I’d recommend choosing a wider design, such as tongue and groove or shaker style panels. These designs will match the large scale of the room, helping to create visual cohesion, particularly if the room is wide or has high ceilings.»
Master the Monochromatic Approach
The secret to achieving Carrie’s effortlessly sophisticated look lies in the color strategy. «To achieve the same classically elegant style as seen in Carrie’s apartment, I’d recommend painting the walls and panels in the same color as this will give a seamless finish and help to bring the room together,» Costandi suggests. This monochromatic approach is what creates that signature «drenched» effect where everything flows together seamlessly.
Get Creative with Placement
Panel drenching extends beyond just walls. «Be creative and experiment with the placement of your wall panels,» Costandi says. «Panels can be added to other surfaces and features in a room, as a way of coordinating texture and design. For example, if you’re working with fluted panels in a living room, consider fitting them to the fireplace. In the kitchen, panels can be added to kitchen cupboards or islands and even to window recesses.» Carrie has some on her front door, too!
Prep Your Walls Properly
Before diving into installation, proper preparation is crucial. «Installing panels does come with a bit of prep work to ensure a seamless and smooth finish. You’ll need to assess your walls to check for any uneven surfaces,» Costandi explains. «If your walls are slightly uneven, you can still install the panels directly to the wall as normal. However, if the walls are significantly uneven, consider using cladding battens to create a level framework before applying the panels.»
Layer in Complementary Elements
To add depth without overwhelming your paneled paradise, thoughtful layering is key. «You can add depth to your space by introducing the right textures and materials. Natural materials, such as wood or stone accents and plenty of natural fibers, will help to bring the space to life whilst creating a sense of warmth and luxury,» Costandi suggests. «Adding a few hints of your favorite metallic, such as with light fixtures, railings or other fittings will allow you to bring your personality and style into the space.»
Avoid These Common Pitfalls
Even the most well-intentioned panel drenching project can go awry. The biggest mistake? Lack of coordination. «Drenching is all about creating a seamless finish, and this means carefully considering how you’re going to merge different design elements. Choose a color that will run throughout the room, from your paneled walls to your ceiling and your furnishings,» Costandi says.
Another common error is overcrowding the space. «While it’s great to mix textures and incorporate statement design features in a room, try to stay away from adding too many bold elements to a panel drenched room. For example, mixing loud patterns or clashing colors could leave the room looking a little cluttered. Try to stick to two or three coordinating color tones or one statement print, to create a more harmonized space.»
Julia Cancilla is the engagement editor (and resident witch) at ELLE Decor, where she oversees the brand’s social media platforms, covers design trends and culture, and writes the monthly ELLE Decoroscope column. Julia built her background at Inked magazine, where she grew their social media audiences by two million and penned feature articles focusing on pop culture, art, and lifestyle.
