His technique relied on precise draftsmanship and a restrained use of colour. In works like Vissers in de Scheveningse duinen nabij paviljoen Von Wied, he positioned human figures as small elements within vast natural spaces. He often chose elevated perspectives to map out the geography of a scene. This is evident in Gezicht richting Alkmaar vanaf de duin te Schoorl, where the viewer looks across the dunes toward the distant city. His winter scenes, such as IJsvermaak op een stadsgracht, capture the specific textures of ice and cold air without relying on dramatic exaggeration.

Modern collectors value Couwenberg for his quiet observation of Dutch life. His paintings provide a window into the 19th-century Netherlands before industrialisation significantly altered the coastlines and polders. Pieces like Gezicht op de Ooijpolder, gezien vanaf de Belvédère te Nijmegen offer a sense of order and calm. These prints suit contemporary interiors because they combine historical accuracy with a clean, balanced composition. They offer a connection to the Dutch tradition of depicting scenery.