Learn How To Decorate Bohemian Style (2024)

Bohemian interior design is best suited for you if you want to fill your home with furniture, accessories, and colors that bring to life your personal experiences, love of travel, and passion for diverse cultures. This aesthetic differs from modern sensibilities and embraces creative, carefree, and unconventional decor. Bohemian-style rooms are always eclectic and share similar elements, though no two rooms are alike. Learn more about bohemian interior design and how to incorporate it into your home.

Learn How To Decorate Bohemian Style (1)

What Is Bohemian Style?

Bohemian style is derived from the word "bohemian," defined as a person living an unconventional lifestyle. Boho design reflects the definition with an eclectic aesthetic that looks the opposite of minimal, modern, and sleek decor. The key to a boho-designed room is to mix and match varied decorative materials soaked in color throughout the space, whether it's a living room, bedroom, bathroom, or kitchen.

Layer Bohemian Design Colors

While boho-style decorating doesn't have rules, combining and layering warm earthy colors, metallics, and jewel tones makes this style unique. Think deep browns, greens, and grays for base colors, and then accessorize with deep purple, fiery orange, and electric blue.

Feel free to mix patterns and textures that would not necessarily go together conventionally. Use dyed textiles and patterns from around the world—like tie-dyed ikat fabrics from Cambodia or embroidered suzani from central Asia—to make the space fun and varied. Layer throws on top of furniture and hang tapestries and area rugs on the walls alongside galleries of photos and artwork.

Although bright, brilliant hues are key to this style, white ​walls are important in boho interior design. White walls are used as backdrops for richer tones and give the eyes a place to rest in a colorfully exuberant and diverse room.

Combine Different Textures

Natural, basic materials like burlap and sisal can be combined with silk and chenille in a boho-style room. The materials may have a slightly worn look—not damaged, but not shiny and new, either. Fringe, crochet, and macramé abound—pillows, curtains,and throw rugs combine to make a cozy, globally-inspired hangout. Canopies over beds and living areas can be another signature boho design embellishment.

Learn How To Decorate Bohemian Style (3)

Collect Bohemian Furniture

Boho-style rooms have a "sit and stay awhile" vibe so opt for relaxed pieces like chaise longues, daybeds, butterfly chairs, and plush seating in saturated colors. Avoid uncomfortable streamlined or straight-backed seating. Throw rugs or overstuffed floor pillows will create a welcoming floor-seating atmosphere.

Fill your boho space with furniture collected over time. Secondhand and vintage items are right at home here. Each piece of furniture should be special and tell a story. Have fun exploring your local vintage shops and choose each piece individually. If you love it, it will fit right in.

Diversify the Lighting

Ambient, understated lighting will unify your boho-style room and complete the calm and welcoming feel. Rather than overhead fixtures, decorate with multiple lanterns, candles, and floor and table lamps. Today’s global design markets make it easy to find a variety of shapes and colors—perfect for the mix-and-match look.

Accessorize With Plants

Embracing the natural world is central to this aesthetic, so bring your room to life with ferns and hanging plants as accessories. Not only do they lend vibrancy to a room, but plants also improve air quality, so the more the merrier. Philodendrons and peace lilies are very forgiving and withstand a variety of light and temperature levels. Or consider succulents—widely available in a range of colors and textures—which are great for people with a less-than-green thumb. These eye-catching plants need little more than a sunny spot and occasional watering.

Make It Personal

Finally, pull together boho decor with family heirlooms, handmade items, and objects from your travels. Accessories should be personal, so feature what you love: tapestries, vintage bottles, maps, or mismatched china. While this style tends to be eclectic, it can still be chic, and glamorous, and these personal touches can be created on a budget. For example, why not thrift an ornate chandelier or chunky gold-framed mirror, or display a simple memento in an elaborately carved picture frame? The only rule is that every item in the room should share something about you.

FAQ

  • What type of furniture is boho style?

    Eclectic, vintage, and mixed boho-style furniture can be made from rattan or wood. These pieces include butterfly chairs, lounges, hanging chairs, and daybeds with rich and cozy upholstery. Add brightly colored and patterned throws, pillows, and wall hangings for the finishing touches.

  • Is there a difference between modern boho style and bohemian style?

    Modern boho style is an updated bohemian style. Modern boho style incorporates more neutral colors, and streamlined contemporary items, and combines it all with traditional bold boho elements.

  • What is the opposite of bohemian style?

    The opposite of a more recluttered bohemian style is the pared-down aesthetic of minimalism.

The 8 Best Room Dividers

Learn How To Decorate Bohemian Style (2024)

FAQs

Learn How To Decorate Bohemian Style? ›

Textiles and artwork are two easy ways to infuse boho style into your space. Layer a colorful rug over your existing one, then stock up on embroidered, block-printed, beaded, or tasseled throw pillows. Add color to your walls by hanging a gallery of interesting framed drawings and paintings.

How do you decorate in bohemian style? ›

Textiles and artwork are two easy ways to infuse boho style into your space. Layer a colorful rug over your existing one, then stock up on embroidered, block-printed, beaded, or tasseled throw pillows. Add color to your walls by hanging a gallery of interesting framed drawings and paintings.

How to start boho decor? ›

Bohemian Interior Design for Beginners
  1. A brief history.
  2. Bring in a variety of textures.
  3. Mix and match furniture styles too.
  4. Lean towards natural textures and colors.
  5. But remember: it's crucial to sprinkle in bold prints and rich colors.
  6. Lastly, bring greenery to your space.

What are the rules of the bohemian style? ›

Bohemian Style Is Organic

Boho design revolves around elements of the natural world — literally and visually. According to designer and Jungalow creator Justina Blakeney, plants are primary. They infuse life, air and energy into a space. Pair them with bright colors and geometric patterns for an maximal look.

How to get bohemian style? ›

Adding different prints and patterns to your wardrobe is an easy way to imbibe the bohemian style. Think paisley, floral, tie-dye, embroidery, and block prints, etc. Play with a myriad of color and vivid prints, mixing them up; for there is no worry to color within the lines.

What is the difference between boho and bohemian style? ›

Boho is a term used to describe the room decor styles and fashion themes of the yesteryear era. In other words, the Boho styles refer to the early 18th and 19th century eras. Meanwhile, concerning the Bohemian styles, the era started after the 1970s.

How to decorate bohemian on a budget? ›

Adding a bohemian vibe to your home doesn't have to break the bank. By embracing natural materials, mixing and matching patterns and textures, adding plants and greenery, repurposing and upcycling items, and playing with color, you can create a budget-friendly bohemian oasis in your home.

What colors are considered boho? ›

Choose a color palette: Boho colors often include earthy tones, such as terracotta, olive green, and mustard yellow. Equally, bright jewel tones like fuchsia, emerald green, and sapphire blue work well. Just choose a color palette that reflects your style and then choose pieces of decor that compliment those colors.

How do you master boho style? ›

Go for rustic and handmade touches with linen, denim, suede or crochet pieces. Patchwork and fringes are also a bet that you can take into account. Long, flowing cuts that add movement to the free spirit of the boho style are always a good option.

What are the five types of bohemian? ›

Bohemian types
  • Nouveau Bohemian. The Nouveau Bohemian: This type of Bohemian harmonizes elements of traditional Bohemian ideology with contemporary culture without losing sight of the basic tenets—the glamour, art, and nonconformity. ...
  • Gypsy Bohemian. ...
  • Beat Bohemian. ...
  • Zen Bohemian. ...
  • Dandy Bohemian.

What are the four bohemian ideals? ›

Bohemians lived carefree, unconventional lifestyles, often in the company of like-minded, marginalized people who valued creativity and the liberty to explore (e.g., musicians, actors, artists, and writers). Four core values, or guiding principles, of Bohemianism included Truth, Beauty, Freedom, and Love.

What is the opposite of bohemian style? ›

The polar opposite of boho, minimalism requires less to create its gallery-style aesthetic. As its name suggests, it's about keeping the number of objects down.

How to decorate your home in bohemian style? ›

Mix Patterns and Colors

Bright colors and lots of patterns such as florals and paisleys mixed with natural prints and mismatched patterns are a hallmark of boho style, like this space from Dazey Den. If brights aren't for you, embrace a subdued mix of shades like olive green, cognac, mustard yellow, and rusty oranges.

How to dress boho for beginners? ›

Think pairing a loose, oversized cardigan with a flowy dress, or layering multiple necklaces and bracelets to create a unique statement. Accessories play a crucial role in completing the boho look. Wide-brimmed hats, floppy fedoras, and headbands adorned with feathers or flowers add a bohemian touch to any outfit.

How to make your room look boho? ›

Bright colors and lots of patterns such as florals and paisleys mixed with natural prints and mismatched patterns are a hallmark of boho style, like this space from Dazey Den. If brights aren't for you, embrace a subdued mix of shades like olive green, cognac, mustard yellow, and rusty oranges.

What are the key colours for bohemian styling? ›

Overall, warm, earthy shades of red, orange, green, blue, yellow, and white are key to bohemian interiors. The energetic interior decor theme also calls for one's experimental nature to add freshness to the walls. Whatever your taste is, remember to prioritize warmer shades over dark tones.

How do you accessorize boho style? ›

Accessories Are Key

From oversized sunglasses to layering beads, it is a sure way to transform your outfit from drab to fab. Handcrafted items and natural materials such as leather and wooden beads will create a classic boho look — the more individual and unique your accessories are, the better.

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