How to Artfully Introduce a Watercolor Motif

Watercolor designs have been a popular trend in home decor, their soft fluidity, ombré effects and otherworldly abstraction adding a refreshing note to walls, bedding and accessories. You don’t have to be an art aficionado to channel the subtle variations, luminous shades and sweeps of color that flow from this motif. The ways to pick up on the look are as varied as the art world’s offerings. The only qualification you need is to know what you like.

Go for a wide wash of color. The painterly daubs and strokes on this wall are expertly executed to give the feel of an artist at work. They feel just right for a seaside or holiday home. The rest of the design is tight and controlled — otherwise the look could have been a bit chaotic.


Find strokes of genius. Adding pillows with brushstroke patterns is the simplest way to delve into the watercolor trend and doesn’t require the commitment of decorating an entire wall or hanging new curtains. The splash of color lifts the simple grays of this bedroom design.


Dip into effects. This wonderfully evocative wall with abstract flowers is reminiscent of a work created by a painter’s brush dipped into water. In a small space like this, the effect is even more bewitching, and no other wall decoration is needed. A wall covering or paint effect could replicate this look.


Go expressionist. This creative wall treatment delves into the darker side of contemporary art — more expressionist than impressionist. It shows how artistic influences can combine with real artworks for a moody look. You could re-create the effect with a large-scale ready-made mural or an esoteric wallpaper.


Choose artistic drapes. A curtain like an impressionist field of flowers brings a breath of fresh air into this creative interior. The owner has kept the rest of the room unfussy so the main fabric gets the attention and the eye isn’t distracted.


Get drawn to graphite. Artistic influences aren’t just about colorful washes. This wall covering is reminiscent of pencil shading or elegant ink drawings — reinforced by the artwork over the bed. These artistic influences add a creative twist to what could otherwise have been a simple gray scheme.


Daub away. This wallpaper is a creative take on a traditional pattern; the loose shapes and watered-down colors make it feel joyful and free. The theme is picked up again in the pillow, and the natural wood works with the neutral daubs in the wallpaper. This is a great example of pretty florals that feel fresh rather than trad.


Find the right flow. This bedroom takes its cue from the artwork over the bed. In this case the canvas is actually integrated into the headboard, but a picture hung over the bed would have the same effect. What’s interesting is how the patterns and shades continue in the accompanying artworks and the pillows. It’s thoughtful and flowing — just right for a bedroom.

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