Arts and crafts decor is perfect for those looking to infuse nature and heritage into their home.
Dating back to the late 19th century, the Arts and Crafts movement sought to celebrate craftsmanship, honest materials and natural beauty in an increasingly industrialized factory-produced society.
Influenced by mid-century aesthetics and a deep appreciation for the natural world, the style is known for its intricate fabric and wallpaper prints, many of which were made for Morris & Co, the design firm founded by art pioneer William Morris The & Craft Movement.
These designs, still available in their original colourways to this day, are an easy way to incorporate a traditional look into an interior design, especially when paired with the heavy use of natural wood and simple handcrafted furniture that also characterise the style.
(Image credit: Zoe Feldman Project/Photo by Stacy Zarin Goldberg)
Arts and Crafts Decor – 12 Ways to Embrace Traditional Style
When it comes to arts and crafts decorating, there are many ways to guide the look. To help you get started, we’ve rounded up many beautiful decorating ideas inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement along with some practical advice from interior experts.
“The Arts and Crafts movement is about unique design, celebrating quality craftsmanship, natural textures and nature-inspired patterns, all three elements that combine to create a style that is layered and comfortable,” said Sue Jones, creative director at Oka.
“I think the key to getting the Arts and Crafts look is to use pieces that reflect the skill of their maker, whether it’s a handcrafted glazed planter, handwoven rattan furniture or hand embroidered upholstery. I would pair them with warm colours Rugs, pleated lampshades and plenty of patterns are paired to add lots of lovely details and make the space feel very inviting.
1. Decorate with Arts and Crafts Wallpaper
(Image credit: Morris Corporation)
Stylized flora and fauna designs are a defining feature of craft decorations, many of which were designed for Morris & Co. (opens in new tab) And printed on wallpaper and fabric using traditional methods.
Many authentic colorways of the original designs are still available for purchase today, as well as a range of refreshed palettes for modern living. Designed by JH Dearle in 1880 and printed by Morris & Co, this gorgeous Severne damask print has recently been reinvigorated in a range of fresh, sophisticated wallpaper and fabric colors, perfect for decorating an uplifting living room.
2. Use Arts and Crafts Prints to Inspire Interior Color Palettes
(Image credit: Colin Poole)
Wallpaper is a great way to breathe life into a practical space like a kitchen, and a great starting point for developing kitchen color ideas. Inspired by the embroidered panels of William Morris’ daughter May Morris, this Seasons by May wallpaper features a gorgeous plaid of parakeets, tulips and flowers – perfect for bringing joy to the kitchen. The print comes in lovely shades of green and red and has been picked for the cabinets and kitchen island.
3. Create the wow factor in the hallway
(Image credit: Zoe Feldman Interior Design/Photo by Stacy Zarin Goldberg)
Hallways are a great place to use bold prints, and since it’s a ephemeral connecting space, you can experiment with darker colors as well.
In this traditional hallway, interior designer Zoe Feldman (opens in new tab) Bring a quirky twist to arts and crafts decor by pairing Morris & Co’s Pimpernell wallpaper (originally designed in 1876) with playful animal-print stair slides.
4. Build your windows with arts and crafts fabrics
(Image credit: Warner Building)
If there are so many wall-to-wall patterns, why not decorate your windows with curtains and blinds in craft-inspired fabrics?This Balmoral design from Warner House features deer, birds and foliage (opens in new tab) Has a distinct sense of arts and crafts.
In a green color scheme, it works especially well in rustic kitchens with natural materials like stone, wood, and linen.
5. Embrace arts and crafts decorating with wall art
(Image credit: Surface View)
Adding wall decor depicting arts and crafts prints is a quick and easy way to convey a traditional look. Digitally-printed wall mounts for Surface View offer an instant surprise to restaurants (opens in new tab)Featuring William Morris’ famous Pimpernell designs.
6. Create a personal dining room with dark intricate prints
(Image credit: Murphy Design)
If entertaining is your thing, bold wallpapers are perfect for bringing a sense of surprise and occasion to your dining room.
In this beautiful traditional restaurant by Murphy Design (opens in new tab)Morris & Co’s classic strawberry thief wallpaper complements the dark blue with woodwork for a warm and intimate atmosphere.
7. Decorate with wood
(Image credit: Inside the cave)
If you want to embrace arts and crafts decor, you can’t go wrong with wood decor. Traditional wood siding is a common feature of Arts and Crafts house styles, and wood is also the material of choice for Arts and Crafts furniture designers.
Cave Interiors has lovingly restored this handicraft home (opens in new tab) It features original wood panelling. To keep the look up-to-date, the paneling is paired with curtains made from a beautiful fabric covered with hand-painted bird illustrations.
8. Update the living room seating with arts and crafts fabrics
(Image credit: Morris Corporation)
Decorating living room seating with arts and crafts is a lovely way to infuse pattern and tradition into a living room without taking up space.
An armchair covered in a gorgeous rat-leaf print is guaranteed to bring life to an empty living room corner – for a cosy feel, opt for a luxurious velvet design.
9. Choose vibrant craft fabrics for a modern look
(Image credit: Morris Corporation)
Originally, Morris & Co designs were printed in a limited number of colours, but today many prints have been rejuvenated in a modern colour palette, perfect for 21st century life. The new Cornubia collection from Ben Pentreath and Morris & Co reinvigorates traditional Morris prints for fabrics and wallpapers in vibrant colour, perfect for bringing a pop of colour to upholstery, wall or window treatments.
Interior designer Ben Pentreath said: “I started with a whole new palette – the colors I’m thinking of now: orange, lemon yellow, evening primrose, soft pink, blue and bright apple green – for spring and summer color.” (opens in new tab)“There was a palpable excitement when we turned these new combinations into historical patterns to see how fresh and joy everything looked and felt! I was like a kid in a candy store. Maybe intentional, maybe accidental Yes, but these are colors and patterns from my mid-70s childhood.
10. Create a romantic country bedroom
(Image credit: Bedroom)
Filled with meandering stems and flowers, Arts and Crafts wallpaper, as shown in this beautiful scheme by Neptune, is perfect for bringing the romance of nature into the bedroom. Designed by JH Dearle in 1892, Blackthorn is a classic arts and crafts wallpaper that is still available in its original colorway.
Simon Temprell, Neptune’s interior design manager, advises that “scale and balance becomes imperative” when decorating with ornate bedroom wallpaper. (opens in new tab) ‘ The patterned William Morris wallpaper easily dominates the room, but balance it out by adding a large four poster bed in simple oak. The painted chest brings out the warm tones of the wallpaper without fighting it,” he added.
11. Bring traditional style to the bathroom
(Image credit: Morris Corporation)
Wallpaper can really surprise a practical space like a bathroom. If you love navy blue hues from crisp turquoise to subtle seaweed green, but want to get away from classic coastal patterns, Morris & Co’s Indigo Wilhelmina wallpaper might be the perfect solution.
Inspired by the work of May Morris, daughter of arts and crafts pioneer William Morris, the design captures the pastel colours of the ocean while also infused with tradition and history, perfect for a home of an era.
12. Match Arts and Crafts Prints with Paneling
(Image credit: Jody Stewart)
Arts and Crafts prints are known for their flamboyance and detail, and when used on all four walls, they can run the risk of overwhelming a room. To tone down the look, why not pair paper with pastel-hued paneling, as is done in this beautiful cloakroom idea?
As a room where we spend little time and a space frequented by guests, the cloakroom is a great space to experiment with print and colour.
What is Arts and Crafts Decoration?
The Arts and Crafts movement, which flourished from around 1880, began to provide an antidote to the ugly, poorly designed, and low-quality machine-made products associated with Victorian industrialism. Instead, the focus is on elevating the role of artisans, decorative arts, craftsmanship, honest materials and simple forms in domestic design.
Visually, this philosophy is expressed through countless styles and mediums, from humble wooden furniture to ornate surface designs. Drawing inspiration from nature and medieval aesthetics, leading figures such as William Morris and CF Voysey created stylized flora and fauna patterns for wallpaper and fabric, many for the decorating company Morris founded in 1861 by the father of the movement himself & Co designed.
These fine prints have a lasting appeal, whether archived originals or recoloured designs that look just as effective today, bringing visual delight and British heritage into the home.
