diff --git a/BREAKING-CHANGES.md b/BREAKING-CHANGES.md
index 1d1c609d..075a5b06 100644
--- a/BREAKING-CHANGES.md
+++ b/BREAKING-CHANGES.md
@@ -76,6 +76,21 @@ This is a quick summary of the sections below:
 
 ## Unreleased (0.30.0)
 
+### `WidgetRef` no longer has a blanket implementation of Widget
+
+Previously there was a blanket implementation of Widget for WidgetRef. This has been reversed to
+instead be a blanket implementation of WidgetRef for all &W where W: Widget. Any widgets that
+previously implemented WidgetRef directly should now instead implement Widget for a reference to the
+type.
+
+```diff
+-impl WidgetRef for Foo {
+-    fn render_ref(&self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer)
++impl Widget for &Foo {
++    fn render(self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer)
+}
+```
+
 ### The `From` impls for backend types are now replaced with more specific traits [#1464]
 
 [#1464]: https://github.com/ratatui/ratatui/pull/1464
diff --git a/Cargo.lock b/Cargo.lock
index 9cecc1dd..37903824 100644
--- a/Cargo.lock
+++ b/Cargo.lock
@@ -2129,7 +2129,6 @@ dependencies = [
  "compact_str",
  "document-features",
  "indoc",
- "instability",
  "itertools 0.13.0",
  "lru",
  "palette",
diff --git a/bacon.toml b/bacon.toml
index 5bfaaea9..72fdc9fe 100644
--- a/bacon.toml
+++ b/bacon.toml
@@ -12,54 +12,96 @@ command = ["cargo", "check", "--all-features", "--color", "always"]
 need_stdout = false
 
 [jobs.check-all]
-command = ["cargo", "check", "--all-targets", "--all-features", "--color", "always"]
+command = [
+    "cargo",
+    "check",
+    "--all-targets",
+    "--all-features",
+    "--color",
+    "always",
+]
 need_stdout = false
 
 [jobs.check-crossterm]
-command = ["cargo", "check", "--color", "always", "--all-targets", "--no-default-features", "--features", "crossterm"]
+command = [
+    "cargo",
+    "check",
+    "--color",
+    "always",
+    "--all-targets",
+    "--no-default-features",
+    "--features",
+    "crossterm",
+]
 need_stdout = false
 
 [jobs.check-termion]
-command = ["cargo", "check", "--color", "always", "--all-targets", "--no-default-features", "--features", "termion"]
+command = [
+    "cargo",
+    "check",
+    "--color",
+    "always",
+    "--all-targets",
+    "--no-default-features",
+    "--features",
+    "termion",
+]
 need_stdout = false
 
 [jobs.check-termwiz]
-command = ["cargo", "check", "--color", "always", "--all-targets", "--no-default-features", "--features", "termwiz"]
+command = [
+    "cargo",
+    "check",
+    "--color",
+    "always",
+    "--all-targets",
+    "--no-default-features",
+    "--features",
+    "termwiz",
+]
 need_stdout = false
 
 [jobs.clippy]
-command = [
-    "cargo", "clippy",
-    "--all-targets",
-    "--color", "always",
-]
+command = ["cargo", "clippy", "--all-targets", "--color", "always"]
 need_stdout = false
 
 [jobs.test]
 command = [
-    "cargo", "test",
+    "cargo",
+    "test",
     "--all-features",
-    "--color", "always",
-    "--", "--color", "always", # see https://github.com/Canop/bacon/issues/124
+    "--color",
+    "always",
+    "--",
+    "--color",
+    "always",         # see https://github.com/Canop/bacon/issues/124
 ]
 need_stdout = true
 
 [jobs.test-unit]
 command = [
-    "cargo", "test",
+    "cargo",
+    "test",
     "--lib",
     "--all-features",
-    "--color", "always",
-    "--", "--color", "always", # see https://github.com/Canop/bacon/issues/124
+    "--color",
+    "always",
+    "--",
+    "--color",
+    "always",         # see https://github.com/Canop/bacon/issues/124
 ]
 need_stdout = true
 
 [jobs.doc]
 command = [
-    "cargo", "+nightly", "doc",
-    "-Zunstable-options", "-Zrustdoc-scrape-examples",
+    "cargo",
+    "+nightly",
+    "doc",
+    "-Zunstable-options",
+    "-Zrustdoc-scrape-examples",
     "--all-features",
-    "--color", "always",
+    "--color",
+    "always",
     "--no-deps",
 ]
 env.RUSTDOCFLAGS = "--cfg docsrs"
@@ -69,10 +111,14 @@ need_stdout = false
 # to the previous job
 [jobs.doc-open]
 command = [
-    "cargo", "+nightly", "doc",
-    "-Zunstable-options", "-Zrustdoc-scrape-examples",
+    "cargo",
+    "+nightly",
+    "doc",
+    "-Zunstable-options",
+    "-Zrustdoc-scrape-examples",
     "--all-features",
-    "--color", "always",
+    "--color",
+    "always",
     "--no-deps",
     "--open",
 ]
@@ -82,19 +128,40 @@ on_success = "job:doc" # so that we don't open the browser at each change
 
 [jobs.coverage]
 command = [
-    "cargo", "llvm-cov",
-    "--lcov", "--output-path", "target/lcov.info",
+    "cargo",
+    "llvm-cov",
+    "--lcov",
+    "--output-path",
+    "target/lcov.info",
     "--all-features",
-    "--color", "always",
+    "--color",
+    "always",
 ]
 
 [jobs.coverage-unit-tests-only]
 command = [
-    "cargo", "llvm-cov",
-    "--lcov", "--output-path", "target/lcov.info",
+    "cargo",
+    "llvm-cov",
+    "--lcov",
+    "--output-path",
+    "target/lcov.info",
     "--lib",
     "--all-features",
-    "--color", "always",
+    "--color",
+    "always",
+]
+
+[jobs.hack]
+command = [
+    "cargo",
+    "hack",
+    "test",
+    "--lib",
+    "--each-feature",
+    # "--all-targets",
+    "--workspace",
+    "--color",
+    "always",
 ]
 
 # You may define here keybindings that would be specific to
@@ -102,7 +169,7 @@ command = [
 # Shortcuts to internal functions (scrolling, toggling, etc.)
 # should go in your personal global prefs.toml file instead.
 [keybindings]
-# alt-m = "job:my-job"
+ctrl-h = "job:hack"
 ctrl-c = "job:check-crossterm"
 ctrl-t = "job:check-termion"
 ctrl-w = "job:check-termwiz"
diff --git a/ratatui-core/Cargo.toml b/ratatui-core/Cargo.toml
index 1f21ce75..f86a2396 100644
--- a/ratatui-core/Cargo.toml
+++ b/ratatui-core/Cargo.toml
@@ -29,16 +29,6 @@ underline-color = []
 ## This is useful if you want to save themes to a file.
 serde = ["dep:serde", "bitflags/serde", "compact_str/serde"]
 
-## enable all unstable features.
-unstable = ["unstable-widget-ref"]
-
-## enables the [`WidgetRef`] and [`StatefulWidgetRef`] traits which are experimental and may change
-## in the future.
-##
-## [`WidgetRef`]: widgets::WidgetRef
-## [`StatefulWidgetRef`]: widgets::StatefulWidgetRef
-unstable-widget-ref = []
-
 [package.metadata.docs.rs]
 all-features = true
 rustdoc-args = ["--cfg", "docsrs"]
@@ -48,7 +38,6 @@ bitflags = "2.3"
 cassowary = "0.3"
 compact_str = "0.8.0"
 document-features = { workspace = true, optional = true }
-instability.workspace = true
 indoc.workspace = true
 itertools.workspace = true
 lru = "0.12.0"
diff --git a/ratatui-core/src/style/stylize.rs b/ratatui-core/src/style/stylize.rs
index 59f464a4..d24460fc 100644
--- a/ratatui-core/src/style/stylize.rs
+++ b/ratatui-core/src/style/stylize.rs
@@ -501,80 +501,75 @@ mod tests {
     }
 
     #[rstest]
-    #[case(ColorDebugKind::Foreground, Color::Black, ".black()")]
-    #[case(ColorDebugKind::Foreground, Color::Red, ".red()")]
-    #[case(ColorDebugKind::Foreground, Color::Green, ".green()")]
-    #[case(ColorDebugKind::Foreground, Color::Yellow, ".yellow()")]
-    #[case(ColorDebugKind::Foreground, Color::Blue, ".blue()")]
-    #[case(ColorDebugKind::Foreground, Color::Magenta, ".magenta()")]
-    #[case(ColorDebugKind::Foreground, Color::Cyan, ".cyan()")]
-    #[case(ColorDebugKind::Foreground, Color::Gray, ".gray()")]
-    #[case(ColorDebugKind::Foreground, Color::DarkGray, ".dark_gray()")]
-    #[case(ColorDebugKind::Foreground, Color::LightRed, ".light_red()")]
-    #[case(ColorDebugKind::Foreground, Color::LightGreen, ".light_green()")]
-    #[case(ColorDebugKind::Foreground, Color::LightYellow, ".light_yellow()")]
-    #[case(ColorDebugKind::Foreground, Color::LightBlue, ".light_blue()")]
-    #[case(ColorDebugKind::Foreground, Color::LightMagenta, ".light_magenta()")]
-    #[case(ColorDebugKind::Foreground, Color::LightCyan, ".light_cyan()")]
-    #[case(ColorDebugKind::Foreground, Color::White, ".white()")]
-    #[case(
-        ColorDebugKind::Foreground,
-        Color::Indexed(10),
-        ".fg(Color::Indexed(10))"
-    )]
-    #[case(
-        ColorDebugKind::Foreground,
-        Color::Rgb(255, 0, 0),
-        ".fg(Color::Rgb(255, 0, 0))"
-    )]
-    #[case(ColorDebugKind::Background, Color::Black, ".on_black()")]
-    #[case(ColorDebugKind::Background, Color::Red, ".on_red()")]
-    #[case(ColorDebugKind::Background, Color::Green, ".on_green()")]
-    #[case(ColorDebugKind::Background, Color::Yellow, ".on_yellow()")]
-    #[case(ColorDebugKind::Background, Color::Blue, ".on_blue()")]
-    #[case(ColorDebugKind::Background, Color::Magenta, ".on_magenta()")]
-    #[case(ColorDebugKind::Background, Color::Cyan, ".on_cyan()")]
-    #[case(ColorDebugKind::Background, Color::Gray, ".on_gray()")]
-    #[case(ColorDebugKind::Background, Color::DarkGray, ".on_dark_gray()")]
-    #[case(ColorDebugKind::Background, Color::LightRed, ".on_light_red()")]
-    #[case(ColorDebugKind::Background, Color::LightGreen, ".on_light_green()")]
-    #[case(ColorDebugKind::Background, Color::LightYellow, ".on_light_yellow()")]
-    #[case(ColorDebugKind::Background, Color::LightBlue, ".on_light_blue()")]
-    #[case(ColorDebugKind::Background, Color::LightMagenta, ".on_light_magenta()")]
-    #[case(ColorDebugKind::Background, Color::LightCyan, ".on_light_cyan()")]
-    #[case(ColorDebugKind::Background, Color::White, ".on_white()")]
-    #[case(
-        ColorDebugKind::Background,
-        Color::Indexed(10),
-        ".bg(Color::Indexed(10))"
-    )]
-    #[case(
-        ColorDebugKind::Background,
-        Color::Rgb(255, 0, 0),
-        ".bg(Color::Rgb(255, 0, 0))"
-    )]
+    #[case(Color::Black, ".black()")]
+    #[case(Color::Red, ".red()")]
+    #[case(Color::Green, ".green()")]
+    #[case(Color::Yellow, ".yellow()")]
+    #[case(Color::Blue, ".blue()")]
+    #[case(Color::Magenta, ".magenta()")]
+    #[case(Color::Cyan, ".cyan()")]
+    #[case(Color::Gray, ".gray()")]
+    #[case(Color::DarkGray, ".dark_gray()")]
+    #[case(Color::LightRed, ".light_red()")]
+    #[case(Color::LightGreen, ".light_green()")]
+    #[case(Color::LightYellow, ".light_yellow()")]
+    #[case(Color::LightBlue, ".light_blue()")]
+    #[case(Color::LightMagenta, ".light_magenta()")]
+    #[case(Color::LightCyan, ".light_cyan()")]
+    #[case(Color::White, ".white()")]
+    #[case(Color::Indexed(10), ".fg(Color::Indexed(10))")]
+    #[case(Color::Rgb(255, 0, 0), ".fg(Color::Rgb(255, 0, 0))")]
+    fn stylize_debug_foreground(#[case] color: Color, #[case] expected: &str) {
+        let debug = color.stylize_debug(ColorDebugKind::Foreground);
+        assert_eq!(format!("{debug:?}"), expected);
+    }
+
+    #[rstest]
+    #[case(Color::Black, ".on_black()")]
+    #[case(Color::Red, ".on_red()")]
+    #[case(Color::Green, ".on_green()")]
+    #[case(Color::Yellow, ".on_yellow()")]
+    #[case(Color::Blue, ".on_blue()")]
+    #[case(Color::Magenta, ".on_magenta()")]
+    #[case(Color::Cyan, ".on_cyan()")]
+    #[case(Color::Gray, ".on_gray()")]
+    #[case(Color::DarkGray, ".on_dark_gray()")]
+    #[case(Color::LightRed, ".on_light_red()")]
+    #[case(Color::LightGreen, ".on_light_green()")]
+    #[case(Color::LightYellow, ".on_light_yellow()")]
+    #[case(Color::LightBlue, ".on_light_blue()")]
+    #[case(Color::LightMagenta, ".on_light_magenta()")]
+    #[case(Color::LightCyan, ".on_light_cyan()")]
+    #[case(Color::White, ".on_white()")]
+    #[case(Color::Indexed(10), ".bg(Color::Indexed(10))")]
+    #[case(Color::Rgb(255, 0, 0), ".bg(Color::Rgb(255, 0, 0))")]
+    fn stylize_debug_background(#[case] color: Color, #[case] expected: &str) {
+        let debug = color.stylize_debug(ColorDebugKind::Background);
+        assert_eq!(format!("{debug:?}"), expected);
+    }
+
     #[cfg(feature = "underline-color")]
-    #[case(
-        ColorDebugKind::Underline,
-        Color::Black,
-        ".underline_color(Color::Black)"
-    )]
-    #[cfg(feature = "underline-color")]
-    #[case(ColorDebugKind::Underline, Color::Red, ".underline_color(Color::Red)")]
-    #[cfg(feature = "underline-color")]
-    #[case(
-        ColorDebugKind::Underline,
-        Color::Green,
-        ".underline_color(Color::Green)"
-    )]
-    #[cfg(feature = "underline-color")]
-    #[case(
-        ColorDebugKind::Underline,
-        Color::Yellow,
-        ".underline_color(Color::Yellow)"
-    )]
-    fn stylize_debug(#[case] kind: ColorDebugKind, #[case] color: Color, #[case] expected: &str) {
-        let debug = color.stylize_debug(kind);
+    #[rstest]
+    #[case(Color::Black, ".underline_color(Color::Black)")]
+    #[case(Color::Red, ".underline_color(Color::Red)")]
+    #[case(Color::Green, ".underline_color(Color::Green)")]
+    #[case(Color::Yellow, ".underline_color(Color::Yellow)")]
+    #[case(Color::Blue, ".underline_color(Color::Blue)")]
+    #[case(Color::Magenta, ".underline_color(Color::Magenta)")]
+    #[case(Color::Cyan, ".underline_color(Color::Cyan)")]
+    #[case(Color::Gray, ".underline_color(Color::Gray)")]
+    #[case(Color::DarkGray, ".underline_color(Color::DarkGray)")]
+    #[case(Color::LightRed, ".underline_color(Color::LightRed)")]
+    #[case(Color::LightGreen, ".underline_color(Color::LightGreen)")]
+    #[case(Color::LightYellow, ".underline_color(Color::LightYellow)")]
+    #[case(Color::LightBlue, ".underline_color(Color::LightBlue)")]
+    #[case(Color::LightMagenta, ".underline_color(Color::LightMagenta)")]
+    #[case(Color::LightCyan, ".underline_color(Color::LightCyan)")]
+    #[case(Color::White, ".underline_color(Color::White)")]
+    #[case(Color::Indexed(10), ".underline_color(Color::Indexed(10))")]
+    #[case(Color::Rgb(255, 0, 0), ".underline_color(Color::Rgb(255, 0, 0))")]
+    fn stylize_debug_underline(#[case] color: Color, #[case] expected: &str) {
+        let debug = color.stylize_debug(ColorDebugKind::Underline);
         assert_eq!(format!("{debug:?}"), expected);
     }
 }
diff --git a/ratatui-core/src/text/line.rs b/ratatui-core/src/text/line.rs
index 93cc2399..2e64e961 100755
--- a/ratatui-core/src/text/line.rs
+++ b/ratatui-core/src/text/line.rs
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ use crate::{
     layout::{Alignment, Rect},
     style::{Style, Styled},
     text::{Span, StyledGrapheme, Text},
-    widgets::{Widget, WidgetRef},
+    widgets::Widget,
 };
 
 /// A line of text, consisting of one or more [`Span`]s.
@@ -683,21 +683,19 @@ impl<'a> Extend<Span<'a>> for Line<'a> {
 
 impl Widget for Line<'_> {
     fn render(self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
-        self.render_ref(area, buf);
+        Widget::render(&self, area, buf);
     }
 }
 
-impl WidgetRef for Line<'_> {
-    fn render_ref(&self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
+impl Widget for &Line<'_> {
+    fn render(self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
         self.render_with_alignment(area, buf, None);
     }
 }
 
 impl Line<'_> {
-    /// An internal implementation method for `WidgetRef::render_ref`
-    ///
-    /// Allows the parent widget to define a default alignment, to be
-    /// used if `Line::alignment` is `None`.
+    /// An internal implementation method for `Widget::render` that allows the parent widget to
+    /// define a default alignment, to be used if `Line::alignment` is `None`.
     pub(crate) fn render_with_alignment(
         &self,
         area: Rect,
@@ -749,7 +747,7 @@ fn render_spans(spans: &[Span], mut area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer, span_skip_widt
         if area.is_empty() {
             break;
         }
-        span.render_ref(area, buf);
+        span.render(area, buf);
         let span_width = u16::try_from(span_width).unwrap_or(u16::MAX);
         area = area.indent_x(span_width);
     }
@@ -1321,7 +1319,7 @@ mod tests {
                 "🦀 RFC8628 OAuth 2.0 Device Authorization GrantでCLIからGithubのaccess tokenを取得する"
             );
             let mut buf = Buffer::empty(Rect::new(0, 0, 83, 1));
-            line.render_ref(buf.area, &mut buf);
+            line.render(buf.area, &mut buf);
             assert_eq!(buf, Buffer::with_lines([
                 "🦀 RFC8628 OAuth 2.0 Device Authorization GrantでCLIからGithubのaccess tokenを取得 "
             ]));
@@ -1358,7 +1356,7 @@ mod tests {
         ) {
             let line = Line::from("1234🦀7890").alignment(alignment);
             let mut buf = Buffer::empty(Rect::new(0, 0, buf_width, 1));
-            line.render_ref(buf.area, &mut buf);
+            line.render(buf.area, &mut buf);
             assert_eq!(buf, Buffer::with_lines([expected]));
         }
 
@@ -1411,7 +1409,7 @@ mod tests {
             };
             let line = Line::from(value).centered();
             let mut buf = Buffer::empty(Rect::new(0, 0, buf_width, 1));
-            line.render_ref(buf.area, &mut buf);
+            line.render(buf.area, &mut buf);
             assert_eq!(buf, Buffer::with_lines([expected]));
         }
 
@@ -1429,7 +1427,7 @@ mod tests {
             // Fill buffer with stuff to ensure the output is indeed padded
             let mut buf = Buffer::filled(Rect::new(0, 0, 10, 1), Cell::new("X"));
             let area = Rect::new(2, 0, 6, 1);
-            line.render_ref(area, &mut buf);
+            line.render(area, &mut buf);
             assert_eq!(buf, Buffer::with_lines([expected]));
         }
 
@@ -1447,7 +1445,7 @@ mod tests {
             let area = Rect::new(0, 0, buf_width, 1);
             // Fill buffer with stuff to ensure the output is indeed padded
             let mut buf = Buffer::filled(area, Cell::new("X"));
-            line.render_ref(buf.area, &mut buf);
+            line.render(buf.area, &mut buf);
             assert_eq!(buf, Buffer::with_lines([expected]));
         }
 
@@ -1478,7 +1476,7 @@ mod tests {
         fn render_truncates_flag(#[case] buf_width: u16, #[case] expected: &str) {
             let line = Line::from("🇺🇸1234");
             let mut buf = Buffer::empty(Rect::new(0, 0, buf_width, 1));
-            line.render_ref(buf.area, &mut buf);
+            line.render(buf.area, &mut buf);
             assert_eq!(buf, Buffer::with_lines([expected]));
         }
 
@@ -1502,7 +1500,7 @@ mod tests {
             assert!(line.width() >= min_width);
 
             let mut buf = Buffer::empty(Rect::new(0, 0, 32, 1));
-            line.render_ref(buf.area, &mut buf);
+            line.render(buf.area, &mut buf);
             assert_eq!(buf, Buffer::with_lines([expected]));
         }
 
@@ -1526,7 +1524,7 @@ mod tests {
             assert!(line.width() >= min_width);
 
             let mut buf = Buffer::empty(Rect::new(0, 0, 32, 1));
-            line.render_ref(buf.area, &mut buf);
+            line.render(buf.area, &mut buf);
             assert_eq!(buf, Buffer::with_lines([expected]));
         }
 
diff --git a/ratatui-core/src/text/span.rs b/ratatui-core/src/text/span.rs
index a0b3f1eb..5aca29b8 100644
--- a/ratatui-core/src/text/span.rs
+++ b/ratatui-core/src/text/span.rs
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ use crate::{
     layout::Rect,
     style::{Style, Styled},
     text::{Line, StyledGrapheme},
-    widgets::{Widget, WidgetRef},
+    widgets::Widget,
 };
 
 /// Represents a part of a line that is contiguous and where all characters share the same style.
@@ -418,12 +418,12 @@ impl<'a> Styled for Span<'a> {
 
 impl Widget for Span<'_> {
     fn render(self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
-        self.render_ref(area, buf);
+        Widget::render(&self, area, buf);
     }
 }
 
-impl WidgetRef for Span<'_> {
-    fn render_ref(&self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
+impl Widget for &Span<'_> {
+    fn render(self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
         let area = area.intersection(buf.area);
         if area.is_empty() {
             return;
diff --git a/ratatui-core/src/text/text.rs b/ratatui-core/src/text/text.rs
index 2ff562b7..50d959b7 100755
--- a/ratatui-core/src/text/text.rs
+++ b/ratatui-core/src/text/text.rs
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ use crate::{
     layout::{Alignment, Rect},
     style::{Style, Styled},
     text::{Line, Span},
-    widgets::{Widget, WidgetRef},
+    widgets::Widget,
 };
 
 /// A string split over one or more lines.
@@ -730,12 +730,12 @@ impl fmt::Display for Text<'_> {
 
 impl Widget for Text<'_> {
     fn render(self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
-        self.render_ref(area, buf);
+        Widget::render(&self, area, buf)
     }
 }
 
-impl WidgetRef for Text<'_> {
-    fn render_ref(&self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
+impl Widget for &Text<'_> {
+    fn render(self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
         let area = area.intersection(buf.area);
         buf.set_style(area, self.style);
         for (line, line_area) in self.iter().zip(area.rows()) {
diff --git a/ratatui-core/src/widgets.rs b/ratatui-core/src/widgets.rs
index 87c9835f..1a5f0652 100644
--- a/ratatui-core/src/widgets.rs
+++ b/ratatui-core/src/widgets.rs
@@ -3,10 +3,6 @@
 //! render UI elements on the screen.
 
 pub use self::{stateful_widget::StatefulWidget, widget::Widget};
-#[instability::unstable(feature = "widget-ref")]
-pub use self::{stateful_widget_ref::StatefulWidgetRef, widget_ref::WidgetRef};
 
 mod stateful_widget;
-mod stateful_widget_ref;
 mod widget;
-mod widget_ref;
diff --git a/ratatui-core/src/widgets/widget.rs b/ratatui-core/src/widgets/widget.rs
index 8ec1222e..19a101bb 100644
--- a/ratatui-core/src/widgets/widget.rs
+++ b/ratatui-core/src/widgets/widget.rs
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
-use super::WidgetRef;
-use crate::{buffer::Buffer, layout::Rect};
+use crate::{buffer::Buffer, layout::Rect, style::Style};
 
 /// A `Widget` is a type that can be drawn on a [`Buffer`] in a given [`Rect`].
 ///
@@ -11,7 +10,7 @@ use crate::{buffer::Buffer, layout::Rect};
 /// themselves. This allows you to store a reference to a widget and render it later. Widget crates
 /// should consider also doing this to allow for more flexibility in how widgets are used.
 ///
-/// In Ratatui 0.26.0, we also added an unstable [`WidgetRef`] trait and implemented this on all the
+/// In Ratatui 0.26.0, we also added an unstable `WidgetRef` trait and implemented this on all the
 /// internal widgets. In addition to the above benefit of rendering references to widgets, this also
 /// allows you to render boxed widgets. This is useful when you want to store a collection of
 /// widgets with different types. You can then iterate over the collection and render each widget.
@@ -72,7 +71,7 @@ pub trait Widget {
 /// drawing the text to the screen.
 impl Widget for &str {
     fn render(self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
-        self.render_ref(area, buf);
+        buf.set_stringn(area.x, area.y, self, area.width as usize, Style::new());
     }
 }
 
@@ -82,7 +81,15 @@ impl Widget for &str {
 /// on a [`Buffer`] within the bounds of a given [`Rect`].
 impl Widget for String {
     fn render(self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
-        self.render_ref(area, buf);
+        buf.set_stringn(area.x, area.y, self, area.width as usize, Style::new());
+    }
+}
+
+impl<W: Widget> Widget for Option<W> {
+    fn render(self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
+        if let Some(widget) = self {
+            widget.render(area, buf);
+        }
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/ratatui-widgets/Cargo.toml b/ratatui-widgets/Cargo.toml
index 94fdef69..31da3090 100644
--- a/ratatui-widgets/Cargo.toml
+++ b/ratatui-widgets/Cargo.toml
@@ -15,9 +15,6 @@ edition.workspace = true
 rust-version.workspace = true
 
 [features]
-## enables `unstable-widget-ref` as default
-default = ["unstable-widget-ref"]
-
 ## enables serialization and deserialization of style and color types using the [`serde`] crate.
 ## This is useful if you want to save themes to a file.
 serde = ["dep:serde", "ratatui-core/serde"]
@@ -32,11 +29,7 @@ all-widgets = ["calendar"]
 calendar = ["dep:time"]
 
 ## Enable all unstable features.
-unstable = ["unstable-rendered-line-info", "unstable-widget-ref"]
-
-## enables the [`WidgetRef`](ratatui_core::widgets::WidgetRef) and
-## [`StatefulWidgetRef`](ratatui_core::widgets::StatefulWidgetRef) traits which are experimental and may change
-unstable-widget-ref = ["ratatui-core/unstable-widget-ref"]
+unstable = ["unstable-rendered-line-info"]
 
 ## Enables the [`Paragraph::line_count`](paragraph::Paragraph::line_count)
 ## [`Paragraph::line_width`](paragraph::Paragraph::line_width) methods
diff --git a/ratatui-widgets/src/barchart.rs b/ratatui-widgets/src/barchart.rs
index 65b845ec..faa26365 100644
--- a/ratatui-widgets/src/barchart.rs
+++ b/ratatui-widgets/src/barchart.rs
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ use ratatui_core::{
     style::{Style, Styled},
     symbols::{self},
     text::Line,
-    widgets::{Widget, WidgetRef},
+    widgets::Widget,
 };
 
 pub use self::{bar::Bar, bar_group::BarGroup};
@@ -600,15 +600,15 @@ impl BarChart<'_> {
 
 impl Widget for BarChart<'_> {
     fn render(self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
-        self.render_ref(area, buf);
+        Widget::render(&self, area, buf);
     }
 }
 
-impl WidgetRef for BarChart<'_> {
-    fn render_ref(&self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
+impl Widget for &BarChart<'_> {
+    fn render(self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
         buf.set_style(area, self.style);
 
-        self.block.render_ref(area, buf);
+        self.block.as_ref().render(area, buf);
         let inner = self.block.inner_if_some(area);
 
         if inner.is_empty() || self.data.is_empty() || self.bar_width == 0 {
diff --git a/ratatui-widgets/src/block.rs b/ratatui-widgets/src/block.rs
index 1dedca0d..421d3c53 100644
--- a/ratatui-widgets/src/block.rs
+++ b/ratatui-widgets/src/block.rs
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ use ratatui_core::{
     style::{Style, Styled},
     symbols::border,
     text::Line,
-    widgets::{Widget, WidgetRef},
+    widgets::Widget,
 };
 
 pub use self::{
@@ -603,12 +603,12 @@ impl<'a> Block<'a> {
 
 impl Widget for Block<'_> {
     fn render(self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
-        self.render_ref(area, buf);
+        Widget::render(&self, area, buf);
     }
 }
 
-impl WidgetRef for Block<'_> {
-    fn render_ref(&self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
+impl Widget for &Block<'_> {
+    fn render(self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
         let area = area.intersection(buf.area);
         if area.is_empty() {
             return;
@@ -744,7 +744,7 @@ impl Block<'_> {
                 ..titles_area
             };
             buf.set_style(title_area, self.titles_style);
-            title.render_ref(title_area, buf);
+            title.render(title_area, buf);
 
             // bump the width of the titles area to the left
             titles_area.width = titles_area
@@ -785,7 +785,7 @@ impl Block<'_> {
                 ..titles_area
             };
             buf.set_style(title_area, self.titles_style);
-            title.render_ref(title_area, buf);
+            title.render(title_area, buf);
 
             // bump the titles area to the right and reduce its width
             titles_area.x = titles_area.x.saturating_add(title_width + 1);
@@ -808,7 +808,7 @@ impl Block<'_> {
                 ..titles_area
             };
             buf.set_style(title_area, self.titles_style);
-            title.render_ref(title_area, buf);
+            title.render(title_area, buf);
 
             // bump the titles area to the right and reduce its width
             titles_area.x = titles_area.x.saturating_add(title_width + 1);
diff --git a/ratatui-widgets/src/calendar.rs b/ratatui-widgets/src/calendar.rs
index 0dc5e8cd..325f02b4 100644
--- a/ratatui-widgets/src/calendar.rs
+++ b/ratatui-widgets/src/calendar.rs
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ use ratatui_core::{
     layout::{Alignment, Constraint, Layout, Rect},
     style::Style,
     text::{Line, Span},
-    widgets::{Widget, WidgetRef},
+    widgets::Widget,
 };
 use time::{Date, Duration, OffsetDateTime};
 
@@ -136,13 +136,13 @@ impl<'a, DS: DateStyler> Monthly<'a, DS> {
 
 impl<DS: DateStyler> Widget for Monthly<'_, DS> {
     fn render(self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
-        self.render_ref(area, buf);
+        Widget::render(&self, area, buf);
     }
 }
 
-impl<DS: DateStyler> WidgetRef for Monthly<'_, DS> {
-    fn render_ref(&self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
-        self.block.render_ref(area, buf);
+impl<DS: DateStyler> Widget for &Monthly<'_, DS> {
+    fn render(self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
+        self.block.as_ref().render(area, buf);
         let inner = self.block.inner_if_some(area);
         self.render_monthly(inner, buf);
     }
diff --git a/ratatui-widgets/src/canvas.rs b/ratatui-widgets/src/canvas.rs
index 4b54cb4d..45f97fc2 100644
--- a/ratatui-widgets/src/canvas.rs
+++ b/ratatui-widgets/src/canvas.rs
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ use ratatui_core::{
     style::{Color, Style},
     symbols::{self, Marker},
     text::Line as TextLine,
-    widgets::{Widget, WidgetRef},
+    widgets::Widget,
 };
 
 pub use self::{
@@ -747,16 +747,16 @@ where
     F: Fn(&mut Context),
 {
     fn render(self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
-        self.render_ref(area, buf);
+        Widget::render(&self, area, buf);
     }
 }
 
-impl<F> WidgetRef for Canvas<'_, F>
+impl<F> Widget for &Canvas<'_, F>
 where
     F: Fn(&mut Context),
 {
-    fn render_ref(&self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
-        self.block.render_ref(area, buf);
+    fn render(self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
+        self.block.as_ref().render(area, buf);
         let canvas_area = self.block.inner_if_some(area);
         if canvas_area.is_empty() {
             return;
diff --git a/ratatui-widgets/src/chart.rs b/ratatui-widgets/src/chart.rs
index c461151a..2997a57d 100644
--- a/ratatui-widgets/src/chart.rs
+++ b/ratatui-widgets/src/chart.rs
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ use ratatui_core::{
     style::{Color, Style, Styled},
     symbols::{self},
     text::Line,
-    widgets::{Widget, WidgetRef},
+    widgets::Widget,
 };
 use strum::{Display, EnumString};
 
@@ -971,16 +971,16 @@ impl<'a> Chart<'a> {
 
 impl Widget for Chart<'_> {
     fn render(self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
-        self.render_ref(area, buf);
+        Widget::render(&self, area, buf);
     }
 }
 
-impl WidgetRef for Chart<'_> {
+impl Widget for &Chart<'_> {
     #[allow(clippy::too_many_lines)]
-    fn render_ref(&self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
+    fn render(self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
         buf.set_style(area, self.style);
 
-        self.block.render_ref(area, buf);
+        self.block.as_ref().render(area, buf);
         let chart_area = self.block.inner_if_some(area);
         let Some(layout) = self.layout(chart_area) else {
             return;
diff --git a/ratatui-widgets/src/clear.rs b/ratatui-widgets/src/clear.rs
index ce325f1f..d5559336 100644
--- a/ratatui-widgets/src/clear.rs
+++ b/ratatui-widgets/src/clear.rs
@@ -1,9 +1,5 @@
 //! The [`Clear`] widget allows you to clear a certain area to allow overdrawing (e.g. for popups).
-use ratatui_core::{
-    buffer::Buffer,
-    layout::Rect,
-    widgets::{Widget, WidgetRef},
-};
+use ratatui_core::{buffer::Buffer, layout::Rect, widgets::Widget};
 
 /// A widget to clear/reset a certain area to allow overdrawing (e.g. for popups).
 ///
@@ -35,12 +31,12 @@ pub struct Clear;
 
 impl Widget for Clear {
     fn render(self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
-        self.render_ref(area, buf);
+        Widget::render(&self, area, buf);
     }
 }
 
-impl WidgetRef for Clear {
-    fn render_ref(&self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
+impl Widget for &Clear {
+    fn render(self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
         for x in area.left()..area.right() {
             for y in area.top()..area.bottom() {
                 buf[(x, y)].reset();
diff --git a/ratatui-widgets/src/gauge.rs b/ratatui-widgets/src/gauge.rs
index 94c5410d..4de0deac 100644
--- a/ratatui-widgets/src/gauge.rs
+++ b/ratatui-widgets/src/gauge.rs
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ use ratatui_core::{
     style::{Color, Style, Styled},
     symbols::{self},
     text::{Line, Span},
-    widgets::{Widget, WidgetRef},
+    widgets::Widget,
 };
 
 use crate::block::{Block, BlockExt};
@@ -153,14 +153,14 @@ impl<'a> Gauge<'a> {
 
 impl Widget for Gauge<'_> {
     fn render(self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
-        self.render_ref(area, buf);
+        Widget::render(&self, area, buf);
     }
 }
 
-impl WidgetRef for Gauge<'_> {
-    fn render_ref(&self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
+impl Widget for &Gauge<'_> {
+    fn render(self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
         buf.set_style(area, self.style);
-        self.block.render_ref(area, buf);
+        self.block.as_ref().render(area, buf);
         let inner = self.block.inner_if_some(area);
         self.render_gauge(inner, buf);
     }
@@ -386,14 +386,14 @@ impl<'a> LineGauge<'a> {
 
 impl Widget for LineGauge<'_> {
     fn render(self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
-        self.render_ref(area, buf);
+        Widget::render(&self, area, buf);
     }
 }
 
-impl WidgetRef for LineGauge<'_> {
-    fn render_ref(&self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
+impl Widget for &LineGauge<'_> {
+    fn render(self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
         buf.set_style(area, self.style);
-        self.block.render_ref(area, buf);
+        self.block.as_ref().render(area, buf);
         let gauge_area = self.block.inner_if_some(area);
         if gauge_area.is_empty() {
             return;
diff --git a/ratatui-widgets/src/list/rendering.rs b/ratatui-widgets/src/list/rendering.rs
index 6f224d48..e6456af7 100644
--- a/ratatui-widgets/src/list/rendering.rs
+++ b/ratatui-widgets/src/list/rendering.rs
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 use ratatui_core::{
     buffer::Buffer,
     layout::Rect,
-    widgets::{StatefulWidget, StatefulWidgetRef, Widget, WidgetRef},
+    widgets::{StatefulWidget, Widget},
 };
 use unicode_width::UnicodeWidthStr;
 
@@ -12,14 +12,14 @@ use crate::{
 
 impl Widget for List<'_> {
     fn render(self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
-        WidgetRef::render_ref(&self, area, buf);
+        Widget::render(&self, area, buf);
     }
 }
 
-impl WidgetRef for List<'_> {
-    fn render_ref(&self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
+impl Widget for &List<'_> {
+    fn render(self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
         let mut state = ListState::default();
-        StatefulWidgetRef::render_ref(self, area, buf, &mut state);
+        StatefulWidget::render(self, area, buf, &mut state);
     }
 }
 
@@ -27,24 +27,16 @@ impl StatefulWidget for List<'_> {
     type State = ListState;
 
     fn render(self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer, state: &mut Self::State) {
-        StatefulWidgetRef::render_ref(&self, area, buf, state);
+        StatefulWidget::render(&self, area, buf, state);
     }
 }
 
-// Note: remove this when StatefulWidgetRef is stabilized and replace with the blanket impl
 impl StatefulWidget for &List<'_> {
     type State = ListState;
+
     fn render(self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer, state: &mut Self::State) {
-        StatefulWidgetRef::render_ref(self, area, buf, state);
-    }
-}
-
-impl StatefulWidgetRef for List<'_> {
-    type State = ListState;
-
-    fn render_ref(&self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer, state: &mut Self::State) {
         buf.set_style(area, self.style);
-        self.block.render_ref(area, buf);
+        self.block.as_ref().render(area, buf);
         let list_area = self.block.inner_if_some(area);
 
         if list_area.is_empty() {
@@ -113,7 +105,7 @@ impl StatefulWidgetRef for List<'_> {
             } else {
                 row_area
             };
-            item.content.render_ref(item_area, buf);
+            Widget::render(&item.content, item_area, buf);
 
             for j in 0..item.content.height() {
                 // if the item is selected, we need to display the highlight symbol:
diff --git a/ratatui-widgets/src/paragraph.rs b/ratatui-widgets/src/paragraph.rs
index 6a31e066..e835f737 100644
--- a/ratatui-widgets/src/paragraph.rs
+++ b/ratatui-widgets/src/paragraph.rs
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ use ratatui_core::{
     layout::{Alignment, Position, Rect},
     style::{Style, Styled},
     text::{Line, StyledGrapheme, Text},
-    widgets::{Widget, WidgetRef},
+    widgets::Widget,
 };
 use unicode_width::UnicodeWidthStr;
 
@@ -419,14 +419,14 @@ impl<'a> Paragraph<'a> {
 
 impl Widget for Paragraph<'_> {
     fn render(self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
-        self.render_ref(area, buf);
+        Widget::render(&self, area, buf);
     }
 }
 
-impl WidgetRef for Paragraph<'_> {
-    fn render_ref(&self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
+impl Widget for &Paragraph<'_> {
+    fn render(self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
         buf.set_style(area, self.style);
-        self.block.render_ref(area, buf);
+        self.block.as_ref().render(area, buf);
         let inner = self.block.inner_if_some(area);
         self.render_paragraph(inner, buf);
     }
diff --git a/ratatui-widgets/src/sparkline.rs b/ratatui-widgets/src/sparkline.rs
index dde86087..dc3c7330 100644
--- a/ratatui-widgets/src/sparkline.rs
+++ b/ratatui-widgets/src/sparkline.rs
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ use ratatui_core::{
     layout::Rect,
     style::{Style, Styled},
     symbols::{self},
-    widgets::{Widget, WidgetRef},
+    widgets::Widget,
 };
 use strum::{Display, EnumString};
 
@@ -326,13 +326,13 @@ impl<'a> Styled for Sparkline<'a> {
 
 impl Widget for Sparkline<'_> {
     fn render(self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
-        self.render_ref(area, buf);
+        Widget::render(&self, area, buf);
     }
 }
 
-impl WidgetRef for Sparkline<'_> {
-    fn render_ref(&self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
-        self.block.render_ref(area, buf);
+impl Widget for &Sparkline<'_> {
+    fn render(self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
+        self.block.as_ref().render(area, buf);
         let inner = self.block.inner_if_some(area);
         self.render_sparkline(inner, buf);
     }
diff --git a/ratatui-widgets/src/table.rs b/ratatui-widgets/src/table.rs
index 26a9a294..a8f79a92 100644
--- a/ratatui-widgets/src/table.rs
+++ b/ratatui-widgets/src/table.rs
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ use ratatui_core::{
     layout::{Constraint, Flex, Layout, Rect},
     style::{Style, Styled},
     text::Text,
-    widgets::{StatefulWidget, StatefulWidgetRef, Widget, WidgetRef},
+    widgets::{StatefulWidget, Widget},
 };
 
 pub use self::{cell::Cell, highlight_spacing::HighlightSpacing, row::Row, state::TableState};
@@ -752,12 +752,12 @@ impl<'a> Table<'a> {
 
 impl Widget for Table<'_> {
     fn render(self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
-        WidgetRef::render_ref(&self, area, buf);
+        Widget::render(&self, area, buf);
     }
 }
 
-impl WidgetRef for Table<'_> {
-    fn render_ref(&self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
+impl Widget for &Table<'_> {
+    fn render(self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
         let mut state = TableState::default();
         StatefulWidget::render(self, area, buf, &mut state);
     }
@@ -771,20 +771,12 @@ impl StatefulWidget for Table<'_> {
     }
 }
 
-// Note: remove this when StatefulWidgetRef is stabilized and replace with the blanket impl
 impl StatefulWidget for &Table<'_> {
     type State = TableState;
+
     fn render(self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer, state: &mut Self::State) {
-        StatefulWidgetRef::render_ref(self, area, buf, state);
-    }
-}
-
-impl StatefulWidgetRef for Table<'_> {
-    type State = TableState;
-
-    fn render_ref(&self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer, state: &mut Self::State) {
         buf.set_style(area, self.style);
-        self.block.render_ref(area, buf);
+        self.block.as_ref().render(area, buf);
         let table_area = self.block.inner_if_some(area);
         if table_area.is_empty() {
             return;
@@ -910,7 +902,7 @@ impl Table<'_> {
                     ..row_area
                 };
                 buf.set_style(selection_area, row.style);
-                highlight_symbol.render_ref(selection_area, buf);
+                highlight_symbol.render(selection_area, buf);
             };
             for ((x, width), cell) in columns_widths.iter().zip(row.cells.iter()) {
                 cell.render(
diff --git a/ratatui-widgets/src/table/cell.rs b/ratatui-widgets/src/table/cell.rs
index c9d98bd2..3270a264 100644
--- a/ratatui-widgets/src/table/cell.rs
+++ b/ratatui-widgets/src/table/cell.rs
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ use ratatui_core::{
     layout::Rect,
     style::{Style, Styled},
     text::Text,
-    widgets::WidgetRef,
+    widgets::Widget,
 };
 
 /// A [`Cell`] contains the [`Text`] to be displayed in a [`Row`] of a [`Table`].
@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@ impl<'a> Cell<'a> {
 impl Cell<'_> {
     pub(crate) fn render(&self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
         buf.set_style(area, self.style);
-        self.content.render_ref(area, buf);
+        Widget::render(&self.content, area, buf);
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/ratatui-widgets/src/tabs.rs b/ratatui-widgets/src/tabs.rs
index 989f387f..ff4a8223 100644
--- a/ratatui-widgets/src/tabs.rs
+++ b/ratatui-widgets/src/tabs.rs
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ use ratatui_core::{
     style::{Modifier, Style, Styled},
     symbols::{self},
     text::{Line, Span},
-    widgets::{Widget, WidgetRef},
+    widgets::Widget,
 };
 
 use crate::block::{Block, BlockExt};
@@ -364,14 +364,14 @@ impl<'a> Styled for Tabs<'a> {
 
 impl Widget for Tabs<'_> {
     fn render(self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
-        self.render_ref(area, buf);
+        Widget::render(&self, area, buf);
     }
 }
 
-impl WidgetRef for Tabs<'_> {
-    fn render_ref(&self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
+impl Widget for &Tabs<'_> {
+    fn render(self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
         buf.set_style(area, self.style);
-        self.block.render_ref(area, buf);
+        self.block.as_ref().render(area, buf);
         let inner = self.block.inner_if_some(area);
         self.render_tabs(inner, buf);
     }
diff --git a/ratatui/Cargo.toml b/ratatui/Cargo.toml
index be6b05a9..ee3b1d79 100644
--- a/ratatui/Cargo.toml
+++ b/ratatui/Cargo.toml
@@ -21,8 +21,8 @@ indoc = "2"
 instability.workspace = true
 itertools.workspace = true
 palette = { version = "0.7.6", optional = true }
-ratatui-core = { workspace = true, features = ["unstable-widget-ref"] }
-ratatui-widgets = { workspace = true, features = ["unstable-widget-ref"] }
+ratatui-core = { workspace = true }
+ratatui-widgets = { workspace = true }
 serde = { workspace = true, optional = true }
 strum.workspace = true
 termwiz = { version = "0.22.0", optional = true }
@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@ unstable-rendered-line-info = ["ratatui-widgets/unstable-rendered-line-info"]
 ##
 ## [`WidgetRef`]: widgets::WidgetRef
 ## [`StatefulWidgetRef`]: widgets::StatefulWidgetRef
-unstable-widget-ref = ["ratatui-core/unstable-widget-ref"]
+unstable-widget-ref = []
 
 ## Enables getting access to backends' writers.
 unstable-backend-writer = []
diff --git a/ratatui/src/terminal/frame.rs b/ratatui/src/terminal/frame.rs
index acece5a9..41e5f11f 100644
--- a/ratatui/src/terminal/frame.rs
+++ b/ratatui/src/terminal/frame.rs
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ impl Frame<'_> {
     ///
     /// let block = Block::new();
     /// let area = Rect::new(0, 0, 5, 5);
-    /// frame.render_widget_ref(block, area);
+    /// frame.render_widget_ref(&block, area);
     /// # }
     /// ```
     #[allow(clippy::needless_pass_by_value)]
@@ -181,7 +181,7 @@ impl Frame<'_> {
     /// let mut state = ListState::default().with_selected(Some(1));
     /// let list = List::new(vec![ListItem::new("Item 1"), ListItem::new("Item 2")]);
     /// let area = Rect::new(0, 0, 5, 5);
-    /// frame.render_stateful_widget_ref(list, area, &mut state);
+    /// frame.render_stateful_widget_ref(&list, area, &mut state);
     /// # }
     /// ```
     #[allow(clippy::needless_pass_by_value)]
diff --git a/ratatui/src/widgets.rs b/ratatui/src/widgets.rs
index 5cf076f9..ec5f0102 100644
--- a/ratatui/src/widgets.rs
+++ b/ratatui/src/widgets.rs
@@ -29,8 +29,6 @@
 //! [`Canvas`]: crate::widgets::canvas::Canvas
 
 pub use ratatui_core::widgets::{StatefulWidget, Widget};
-#[instability::unstable(feature = "widget-ref")]
-pub use ratatui_core::widgets::{StatefulWidgetRef, WidgetRef};
 // TODO remove this module once title etc. are gone
 pub use ratatui_widgets::block;
 #[cfg(feature = "widget-calendar")]
@@ -51,3 +49,8 @@ pub use ratatui_widgets::{
     table::{Cell, HighlightSpacing, Row, Table, TableState},
     tabs::Tabs,
 };
+#[instability::unstable(feature = "widget-ref")]
+pub use {stateful_widget_ref::StatefulWidgetRef, widget_ref::WidgetRef};
+
+mod stateful_widget_ref;
+mod widget_ref;
diff --git a/ratatui-core/src/widgets/stateful_widget_ref.rs b/ratatui/src/widgets/stateful_widget_ref.rs
similarity index 53%
rename from ratatui-core/src/widgets/stateful_widget_ref.rs
rename to ratatui/src/widgets/stateful_widget_ref.rs
index ab5e9560..35f4337a 100644
--- a/ratatui-core/src/widgets/stateful_widget_ref.rs
+++ b/ratatui/src/widgets/stateful_widget_ref.rs
@@ -1,31 +1,34 @@
+use ratatui_core::widgets::StatefulWidget;
+
 use crate::{buffer::Buffer, layout::Rect};
 
 /// A `StatefulWidgetRef` is a trait that allows rendering a stateful widget by reference.
 ///
-/// This is the stateful equivalent of `WidgetRef`. It is useful when you want to store a reference
+/// This is the stateful equivalent of `WidgetRef`. It is useful when you need to store a reference
 /// to a stateful widget and render it later. It also allows you to render boxed stateful widgets.
 ///
-/// This trait was introduced in Ratatui 0.26.0 and is implemented for all the internal stateful
-/// widgets. It is currently marked as unstable as we are still evaluating the API and may make
-/// changes in the future. See <https://github.com/ratatui/ratatui/issues/1287> for more
-/// information.
+/// This trait was introduced in Ratatui 0.26.0. It is currently marked as unstable as we are still
+/// evaluating the API and may make changes in the future. See
+/// <https://github.com/ratatui/ratatui/issues/1287> for more information.
 ///
-/// A blanket implementation of `StatefulWidget` for `&W` where `W` implements `StatefulWidgetRef`
-/// is provided.
+/// A blanket implementation of `StatefulWidgetRef` for `&W` where `W` implements `StatefulWidget`
+/// is provided. Most of the time you will want to implement `StatefulWidget` against a reference to
+/// the widget instead of implementing `StatefulWidgetRef` directly.
 ///
-/// See the documentation for [`WidgetRef`] for more information on boxed widgets.
-/// See the documentation for [`StatefulWidget`] for more information on stateful widgets.
+/// See the documentation for [`WidgetRef`] for more information on boxed widgets. See the
+/// documentation for [`StatefulWidget`] for more information on stateful widgets.
 ///
 /// # Examples
 ///
 /// ```rust
 /// # #[cfg(feature = "unstable-widget-ref")] {
+/// use ratatui::widgets::StatefulWidgetRef;
 /// use ratatui_core::{
 ///     buffer::Buffer,
 ///     layout::Rect,
 ///     style::Stylize,
 ///     text::Line,
-///     widgets::{StatefulWidget, StatefulWidgetRef, Widget},
+///     widgets::{StatefulWidget, Widget},
 /// };
 ///
 /// struct PersonalGreeting;
@@ -64,20 +67,18 @@ pub trait StatefulWidgetRef {
     fn render_ref(&self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer, state: &mut Self::State);
 }
 
-// Note: while StatefulWidgetRef is marked as unstable, the blanket implementation of StatefulWidget
-// cannot be implemented as W::State is effectively pub(crate) and not accessible from outside the
-// crate. Once stabilized, this blanket implementation can be added and the specific implementations
-// on Table and List can be removed.
-//
-// /// Blanket implementation of `StatefulWidget` for `&W` where `W` implements `StatefulWidgetRef`.
-// ///
-// /// This allows you to render a stateful widget by reference.
-// impl<W: StatefulWidgetRef> StatefulWidget for &W {
-//     type State = W::State;
-//     fn render(self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer, state: &mut Self::State) {
-//         StatefulWidgetRef::render_ref(self, area, buf, state);
-//     }
-// }
+/// Blanket implementation of `StatefulWidgetRef` for `&W` where `W` implements `StatefulWidget`.
+///
+/// This allows you to render a stateful widget by reference.
+impl<W, State> StatefulWidgetRef for &W
+where
+    for<'a> &'a W: StatefulWidget<State = State>,
+{
+    type State = State;
+    fn render_ref(&self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer, state: &mut Self::State) {
+        self.render(area, buf, state);
+    }
+}
 
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod tests {
@@ -98,35 +99,23 @@ mod tests {
 
     struct PersonalGreeting;
 
-    impl StatefulWidgetRef for PersonalGreeting {
+    impl StatefulWidget for &PersonalGreeting {
         type State = String;
-        fn render_ref(&self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer, state: &mut Self::State) {
+        fn render(self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer, state: &mut Self::State) {
             Line::from(format!("Hello {state}")).render(area, buf);
         }
     }
 
     #[rstest]
     fn render_ref(mut buf: Buffer, mut state: String) {
-        let widget = PersonalGreeting;
+        let widget = &PersonalGreeting;
         widget.render_ref(buf.area, &mut buf, &mut state);
         assert_eq!(buf, Buffer::with_lines(["Hello world         "]));
     }
 
-    // Note this cannot be tested until the blanket implementation of StatefulWidget for &W
-    // where W implements StatefulWidgetRef is added. (see the comment in the blanket
-    // implementation for more).
-    // /// This test is to ensure that the blanket implementation of `StatefulWidget` for `&W`
-    // where /// `W` implements `StatefulWidgetRef` works as expected.
-    // #[rstest]
-    // fn stateful_widget_blanket_render(mut buf: Buffer, mut state: String) {
-    //     let widget = &PersonalGreeting;
-    //     widget.render(buf.area, &mut buf, &mut state);
-    //     assert_eq!(buf, Buffer::with_lines(["Hello world         "]));
-    // }
-
     #[rstest]
-    fn box_render_render(mut buf: Buffer, mut state: String) {
-        let widget = Box::new(PersonalGreeting);
+    fn box_render_ref(mut buf: Buffer, mut state: String) {
+        let widget = Box::new(&PersonalGreeting);
         widget.render_ref(buf.area, &mut buf, &mut state);
         assert_eq!(buf, Buffer::with_lines(["Hello world         "]));
     }
diff --git a/ratatui-core/src/widgets/widget_ref.rs b/ratatui/src/widgets/widget_ref.rs
similarity index 86%
rename from ratatui-core/src/widgets/widget_ref.rs
rename to ratatui/src/widgets/widget_ref.rs
index 0c249f2b..78cfde3a 100644
--- a/ratatui-core/src/widgets/widget_ref.rs
+++ b/ratatui/src/widgets/widget_ref.rs
@@ -24,12 +24,8 @@ use crate::{buffer::Buffer, layout::Rect, style::Style};
 ///
 /// ```rust
 /// # #[cfg(feature = "unstable-widget-ref")] {
-/// use ratatui_core::{
-///     buffer::Buffer,
-///     layout::Rect,
-///     text::Line,
-///     widgets::{Widget, WidgetRef},
-/// };
+/// use ratatui::widgets::WidgetRef;
+/// use ratatui_core::{buffer::Buffer, layout::Rect, text::Line, widgets::Widget};
 ///
 /// struct Greeting;
 ///
@@ -85,9 +81,12 @@ pub trait WidgetRef {
 }
 
 /// This allows you to render a widget by reference.
-impl<W: WidgetRef> Widget for &W {
-    fn render(self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
-        self.render_ref(area, buf);
+impl<W> WidgetRef for &W
+where
+    for<'a> &'a W: Widget,
+{
+    fn render_ref(&self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
+        self.render(area, buf);
     }
 }
 
@@ -127,12 +126,8 @@ impl WidgetRef for String {
 ///
 /// ```rust
 /// # #[cfg(feature = "unstable-widget-ref")] {
-/// use ratatui_core::{
-///     buffer::Buffer,
-///     layout::Rect,
-///     text::Line,
-///     widgets::{Widget, WidgetRef},
-/// };
+/// use ratatui::widgets::WidgetRef;
+/// use ratatui_core::{buffer::Buffer, layout::Rect, text::Line, widgets::Widget};
 ///
 /// struct Parent {
 ///     child: Option<Child>,
@@ -177,44 +172,37 @@ mod tests {
 
     struct Farewell;
 
-    impl WidgetRef for Greeting {
-        fn render_ref(&self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
+    impl Widget for &Greeting {
+        fn render(self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
             Line::from("Hello").render(area, buf);
         }
     }
 
-    impl WidgetRef for Farewell {
-        fn render_ref(&self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
+    impl Widget for &Farewell {
+        fn render(self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
             Line::from("Goodbye").right_aligned().render(area, buf);
         }
     }
 
+    /// Ensure that the blanket implementation of `WidgetRef` for `&W` where `W` implements
+    /// `Widget` works as expected.
     #[rstest]
     fn render_ref(mut buf: Buffer) {
-        let widget = Greeting;
-        widget.render_ref(buf.area, &mut buf);
-        assert_eq!(buf, Buffer::with_lines(["Hello               "]));
-    }
-
-    /// Ensure that the blanket implementation of `Widget` for `&W` where `W` implements
-    /// `WidgetRef` works as expected.
-    #[rstest]
-    fn render_widget(mut buf: Buffer) {
         let widget = &Greeting;
-        widget.render(buf.area, &mut buf);
+        widget.render_ref(buf.area, &mut buf);
         assert_eq!(buf, Buffer::with_lines(["Hello               "]));
     }
 
     #[rstest]
     fn render_ref_box(mut buf: Buffer) {
-        let widget: Box<dyn WidgetRef> = Box::new(Greeting);
+        let widget: Box<dyn WidgetRef> = Box::new(&Greeting);
         widget.render_ref(buf.area, &mut buf);
         assert_eq!(buf, Buffer::with_lines(["Hello               "]));
     }
 
     #[rstest]
     fn render_ref_box_vec(mut buf: Buffer) {
-        let widgets: Vec<Box<dyn WidgetRef>> = vec![Box::new(Greeting), Box::new(Farewell)];
+        let widgets: Vec<Box<dyn WidgetRef>> = vec![Box::new(&Greeting), Box::new(&Farewell)];
         for widget in widgets {
             widget.render_ref(buf.area, &mut buf);
         }
@@ -223,14 +211,14 @@ mod tests {
 
     #[rstest]
     fn render_ref_some(mut buf: Buffer) {
-        let widget = Some(Greeting);
+        let widget = Some(&Greeting);
         widget.render_ref(buf.area, &mut buf);
         assert_eq!(buf, Buffer::with_lines(["Hello               "]));
     }
 
     #[rstest]
     fn render_ref_none(mut buf: Buffer) {
-        let widget: Option<Greeting> = None;
+        let widget: Option<&Greeting> = None;
         widget.render_ref(buf.area, &mut buf);
         assert_eq!(buf, Buffer::with_lines(["                    "]));
     }