Provided herein are compositions comprising: (a) a polymeric catechol binder, such as: polymeric dopamine, polymeric norepinephrine, polymeric epinephrine; polymeric pyrogallol, polymeric tannic acid, polymeric hydroxyhydroquinone, polymeric catechin, polymeric epigallocatechin etc.; and (b) a hydrophilic polymer, methods for using the compositions to coat a substrate, and methods for making the compositions. In particular, the substrate may form part of an apparatus on which it would be beneficial to limit biofouling and/or protein binding.