Articles Interior Design 4 Tips to Incorporate Watercolor Design Style in Your Home

4 Tips to Incorporate Watercolor Design Style in Your Home

Watercolor designs bring lightness and color to a home without being overwhelming unlike solid-color prints or busy patterns.

Watercolor designs bring gentle and light color to a home that are unlike the dominating nature of solid shades and vibrant paints. On the other hand, the brush strokes and water spots lend to a visual texture that is similar to busy patterns in wallpapers and tiles. These interesting and somewhat contrasting characteristics make watercolor design a great alternative to classic styles and décor aesthetic — here are 4 easy ways to incorporate the fun and unique design style to your personal space.

Watercolor art is a given, and can be implemented in small or large quantities.

Wallpaper artwork in symmetrical living room with white sofa and blue accents

The straightforward way of using watercolor design in a home is through artwork. There are many artists who practice this form of painting - you or someone you know can even be one of them! — so supply of choice should not be an issue. There are endless variations of the style making finding one that suits your overall interior design aesthetic quite effortless.

If you're a maximalist in terms of style, you can choose watercolor art that's full of saturated and bright colors. Minimalists, on the other hand, can choose to go for neutral tones and lighter strokes. For classic designers, the wall art colors can be matched with the overall color palette of the space.

In terms of positioning, watercolor art is no different from other wall pieces in that they can be displayed in different ways. Maximalists will tend to overload a gallery wall with different designs and artwork, while minimalists will probably stick to one large wall piece that's muted and abstract. Classic interior stylists will position their art items as centerpieces in symmetrical layouts, or as a defining décor piece in an entryway.

Watercolor wallpaper takes this design style one step further.

Watercolor wallpaper as accent in bedroom with queen sized and wooden side table

Those who love watercolor and aren't afraid to commit to the cause can opt to implement the design style into walls as murals or wallpaper. Murals and wallpaper are a great accent to any room, and can even function as extensions of your furniture; for example, a bed with no headboard benefits from an accent wall the same way a TV benefits from a console station.

Watercolors can be as abstract or as detailed as you would prefer. On walls, abstract watercolor designs work best in creating a sense of movement in a space without the harsh lines. On the flipside, more detailed designs like landscape painting or portraiture create depth and texture, and in many ways expand the room to show more space (especially true for landscape art.)

And if walls aren't your cup of tea for designing accent areas, maybe try decorating your ceilings or your floors instead?

Printed textiles are an easy, non-committal way of trying out the trend.

Blue watercolor style table mat with miniature chair and fake plants on display

Semi- or permanent change in your personal space like wall paint or wallpaper installation is a project that requires commitment of time and resources. In addition, art is a big investment, sometimes even more so when compared to medium-difficulty home improvements.

If you can't spare time or resources to fulfill a home project of this scale, live in a rental where you're not allowed to make any lasting improvements to the home, or are just afraid to commit 100% before trying out the style — you can opt to furnish your space with textiles that scream trendy. Watercolor textiles are a great addition to any home, and can be as subtle or as attention-grabbing as you want them to be.

Use these fabrics on your beds as bedding or blankets, in your kitchens as tea towels or table mats, or in your living room as throws and rugs. If you're particularly funky, try a bold watercolor curtain or other window treatments. The possibilities are endless when it comes to fabrics that are not only economical but are also easy quite easy to clean — talk about a win-win-win.

Furniture and upholstery are investment items that can shine with the watercolor treatment.

Two upholstered chairs with watercolor design fabric as shown in Charisma Shah website

Same with the wall art versus wallpaper toss-up, printed textile pieces and upholstered seating vary mostly in the fact that the latter is a more permanent resident in your personal space. Chairs, beds, and other furniture covered with watercolor designed fabrics and leathers are definitely conversation starters, no matter the sort of homes they live in.

Because the watercolor trend rose to recent popularity in 2021, expect that many commercial retailers still carry the fun style in small- to large-scale furniture, meaning you're in luck if you like this design particular one. There are a variety of options to choose from, from classic silhouettes with fun watercolor prints to modern styles with abstract designs. No matter your overall aesthetic, there should be a watercolor print in upholstery that matches your preferred vibe.

If you don't chance upon a piece of furniture that you love, you can always make your own. If you have an older couch or dining chair that needs updating, reupholstery is the project to pursue. Use an abstract watercolor print  in neutral or monotone colors to maximize the usability and versatility of the home pieces, or go full-blown and excessive with splash watercolors in the most vibrant of hues to create stand-out pieces that function as art pieces in the home.


Almost everyone has had some sort of exposure to watercolor art, with many encountering the style in their childhoods. Now, a deeper understanding and appreciation of the design tells you that watercolor is anything but childish - in fact, it's one of the most unforgiving painting techniques. Yes, this seemingly effortless technique is not at all what's expected.

But that doesn't mean implementing watercolors is not worth your time or resources. The home is a great place to try out watercolor, despite its difficulty level, given its versatility and effectiveness in making a statement, whether bold or low-key. The key is to find the right artists to implement the style, and the right home décor and items to tie everything together.