What could be more tranquil than an underwater world? Murals that create the impression of being under the sea or beneath the surface of a lake or river can be perfect for a peaceful bedroom, a rustic beach cottage or a child’s room. The water theme also goes well in bathrooms and can complement outdoor areas, for example, around a swimming pool. Here are some ideas and tips to stimulate your imagination.

Inspiring Ideas

There are many ways of achieving an ‘underwater look’, depending on the style you go for. A child’s room may invite cartoon-style, whereas you will probably want a different look for a bathroom, living room or adult bedroom. Murals in children’s rooms will use different imagery. With ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ popular with kids, you might want to depict shipwrecks and chests of sunken treasure. A humorous treatment works well in kids’ rooms – and a bit of whimsy can be fun in the bathroom too.

In adult bedrooms and living areas, the peaceful feel that we get from watching fish in an aquarium is something that you might want to aim for. For a brighter look, you could go for shoals of exotic tropical fish and other fabulous marine life. If you want a more subtle look, or you’re not a great fish fan, a sandy seabed with fragile seashells and waving sea grasses in pastel colors could be ideal. You also don’t have to stick to shades of blue. You could experiment with combinations of soft greens and even browns.

For a bit of fun, you could experiment with trompe l’oeil painting. In a kid’s room you could paint portholes which afford glimpses of a magical underwater realm. The room itself then ‘becomes’ a ship or submarine, which may appeal especially to boys. Little girls might like trompe l’oeil windows that give the impression of looking on to a sandy sea floor where mermaids frolic.

Painting Your Underwater Scene

Especially if you’re not a confident artist, using stencils, or kits that allow you to transfer image outlines onto your wall, is the perfect way to create murals. You will find a huge range of motifs and a wide variety of styles available and you’re bound to find something to suit you.

You can also create a mural from a picture or photograph of your choice. Divide your image and your wall space into corresponding squares and trace out your design block by block, amplifying the scale and measuring to make sure you’re on track – or use one of the computer programs that will do it for you.

Start your painting by covering your space with the background color, using a sponge, brush or for big areas, a roller. You may have two background areas, such as the seabed and the water above it, in different colors that meet at a ‘horizon’. Then you will outline your fish, rocks and other images, before finishing off with shading, texture and fine detail.

If your underwater mural is in a bathroom, make sure you buy paint that is waterproof and if it is located outdoors, sun- and weather-resistant. For a long-lasting finish, remember to seal it carefully.