Using Watercolour Shades In Interior Design
By Ana Zuravliova
For a very long time, people around the world have been captivated by watercolour paintings and their soft yet eye-catching colours. While the often blurred lines have inspired some striking interiors which you can learn more about in our Blurred Landscapes Within Interior Design blog; what about the colours themselves? Today, we’ll be taking a close look at watercolour colours, what they are and how to use them to great effect in your own interior design!
What are watercolour colours?
In the art world, many watercolour colours are transparent meaning when they are applied to paper or canvas, they let a lot more light pass through them than acrylics or oils. This helps artists capture the iconic, light, low saturation shades which we’ve celebrated for centuries.
As many of us know, watercolour colours are awe inspiring when behind glass in a gallery, but what about using them as part of a stylish decor? Well, luckily there are plenty of fabrics which capture that unique level of saturation and tone found in watercolours that will elevate the style of any home! By finding the right shade, your home will enjoy a freshness and wide ranging appeal and help you channel your inner Van Gogh or Da Vinci.
Watercolour home furnishings
By putting watercolour style colours around your windows, they’ll interact with the light beautifully – especially if you select a finer fabric and nothing too heavy. Additionally, you can also add watercolour shades by using lamp shades and cushions to add the desired effect throughout the room. You won’t be limited by specific colours either! These are some popular colours to consider in a watercolour style for your home:
1.Winsor Green
On many occasions we’ve extolled the virtue of green. It’s rejuvenating, natural, and it looks amazing. When you look at the soft, vibrant tone of Winsor Green that isn’t extremely vivid or saturated, you can capture the core feeling of a splendid watercolour landscape.
2.Yellow Ochre
Yellow ochre is one of the colours most associated with classic watercolours making it an ideal option for this style. Reminding us of autumn’s leaves or the glow of the evening sun, using yellow ochre in interior design is a surefire way to make a space feel welcoming, energising and at the cutting edge of style.
3.Cerulean Blue
Cerulean blue is one of the most iconic watercolour shades. Reminding us of water and the infinite sky, this shade of coastal blue is the foundation of countless watercolour paintings and can be used to great effect in interior design. It will also work well with any of the other colours in this list!
4.Burnt Sienna
Offering decorators a warm orange brown tone, burnt sienna is bursting with potential. Unlike some watercolours, burnt sienna has a warming element to it and with a power to make homes feel more cosy, its ideal of living rooms and bedrooms where we look to switch off and relax.
5.Cadmium Red
Cadmium red will add a sense of boldness, brightness, and passion to any interior. A dominant and dramatic colour, it is important to use cadmium red carefully, so the living space is not overwhelmed. By adding pops of this striking red colour, you can draw people’s attention around the room while adding depth and a feeling of warmth and quality to the overall styling. Try adding cadmium red cushions as your first step!
6.Classic Black
Black watercolours offer a brilliant contrast for many watercolours. One of the best ways to add black while capturing the watercolour saturation is to use it with other shades of grey to create that divergent quality. To maximise black with watercolours, look for patterned soft fabrics with the colours you need.
Shop some of our favourite products inspired by watercolour shades:
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