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A Decorator’s Guide to Bohemian Style

Bohemian style, also known as boho decor, appeals to individuals who desire vibrant, cultured, and captivating items that are displayed openly in their homes. This aesthetic opposes contemporary conventions and welcomes imaginative, spontaneous, and unconventional decorations. Bohemian-style rooms typically possess distinct commonalities, as they are consistently diverse and exhibit comparable attributes, although no two rooms are entirely identical.

If you are seeking a style that allows you to express your individuality, boho decor may be the perfect choice as it takes inspiration from individuals who live in a nontraditional manner such as perpetual travelers, actors, and writers. This style reflects their way of life by incorporating various objects, colors, and patterns sourced from numerous regions around the globe.

What Is Bohemian Style?

Bohemian style originates from the term “bohemian,” which refers to an individual who embraces an unconventional way of life. Boho design exemplifies this definition with a diverse aesthetic that contrasts with minimalistic, contemporary, and polished decor. The fundamental aspect of a boho-inspired room is the amalgamation of diverse decorative elements in rich hues, extending across various spaces such as the living room, bedroom, bathroom, or kitchen.

Bohemian Design Colors

In boho-style decorating, there are no specific rules. However, it is common to use warm earthy colors, metallics, and jewel tones. Base colors typically include deep browns, greens, and grays, while accessories often consist of saturated purple, fiery orange, and electric blue. The uniqueness of this style lies in the combination and layering of colors.

When considering the design, feel free to mix different patterns and textures, even if they don’t conventionally go together. Incorporate dyed textiles and patterns from various cultures, such as ikat from Cambodia or suzani from central Asia, to add a sense of fun and exoticism to the space. Layer throws over furniture and hang tapestries and area rugs on the walls, along with your photographs and artwork. If this seems overwhelming, keep in mind that while vibrant colors are important to the style, white can be used strategically as a backdrop for richer tones. Using white in this manner creates visual space in the equation.

Decorative Materials

To create a boho-style room, you can combine natural, basic materials such as burlap and sisal with silk and chenille. It is important for the materials to have a slightly worn appearance, not necessarily damaged but also not shiny and new. Fringe, crochet, and macramé are commonly found in this style, used on pillows, curtains, and throw-rugs to create a cozy and globally-inspired hangout. Canopies over beds and living areas are distinctive boho design elements.

Bohemian Furniture

When decorating Boho-style rooms, it is common to find an assortment of furniture acquired over a period of time, making second-hand and vintage pieces particularly suitable. It is important for each furniture item to possess a unique quality and be able to convey a narrative. Enjoy the process of exploring nearby vintage stores and carefully selecting each piece, ensuring that it resonates with your personal taste.

When considering the design of your space, remember that both you and your guests will appreciate the boho aesthetic. This can be achieved by incorporating luxurious chairs and couches in vibrant colors. To create a warm and inviting atmosphere, consider adding throw rugs or overstuffed floor pillows for comfortable floor seating. Avoid opting for streamlined or straight-backed furniture as it does not align with the desired ambiance of “sit and stay awhile.” Instead, choose cozy and relaxed pieces such as chaise longues, daybeds, or butterfly chairs.

Lighting

To achieve a cohesive and inviting ambiance in your boho-style room, opt for subtle and subdued lighting. Instead of relying solely on overhead fixtures, adorn your space with a combination of lanterns, candles, floor lamps, and table lamps. Thanks to the accessibility of today’s global design markets, you can easily discover an assortment of shapes and colors which are ideal for creating a mix-and-match aesthetic.

Accessories

To enhance this aesthetic, it is important to incorporate nature into your room. This can be achieved by adding ferns and hanging plants as decorative items. Not only do these plants add vibrancy to a room, but they also have the added benefit of improving air quality. Therefore, the more plants you have, the better. Philodendrons and peace lilies are particularly resilient and can tolerate various levels of light and temperature. Alternatively, succulents are another option to consider. They are easy to find and come in a variety of colors and textures, making them ideal for individuals who may not have a knack for gardening. These attention-grabbing plants require little more than a sunny spot and occasional watering.

Lastly, unify boho decor by incorporating family heirlooms, handmade items, and objects obtained during your travels. Personalize the accessories by including things you genuinely adore, such as tapestries, vintage bottles, maps, or mismatched china. Remember that even though this style is typically diverse, it can still appear sophisticated and elegant. Thus, don’t hesitate to experiment with a lavish chandelier or a bold gold-framed mirror. The sole requirement is that each item in the room reflects something about your personality.

Quirky Bohemian Living Room Decor Ideas

Bohemian Living Rooms

So, what are the top trends we are going to share for getting the boho look in your living room? The best bohemian living room decor ideas are not too complicated.

The living room plays a crucial role in providing a space for your loved ones and friends to come together. It needs to be both functional and a reflection of your unique preferences and character.

1. Woven Wall Baskets

Bohemian wall decorations in the living space are commonly found in the form of woven wall baskets made of jute and sisal. The living room is enhanced with nice Boho touches from house plants and exotic textured throw pillows. Neutral tones are brought into this vibrant space by a circular jute rug and a mid-century coffee table made of dark wood, creating a balanced atmosphere.

2. Burnt Orange Velvet Sofa

This boho living room space is given warmth by a burnt orange sofa in a comfortable upholstery. House plants are scattered around, and there is an art decor mirror on the back wall. The space has a tropical feel with several pieces of rattan furniture, including a rattan side table with a glass top, a round rattan coffee table, a small rattan ottoman, and a rattan accent chair. It is important to have plenty of seating for hosting guests when decorating a bohemian living room.

3. Vinyl Records and Floor Pillows

One of the boho living room ideas that works well for a young person is incorporating vintage decorations such as vinyl records. Displaying some floor pillows on the ground will allow you to sit comfortably while browsing your collection. Additionally, it is always a good idea to have plenty of house plants and tropical indoor trees.

4. Swing and String Lights

This living room is filled with various boho elements, such as a free floating wood swing with a furry shag seat and string lights suspended from the ceiling. Adjacent to a brick wall with two large windows is a wall full of bookshelves. To create an intimate space for conversation, there are two large, cozy brown leather accent chairs. Additionally, two guitars are placed nearby, contributing to the overall musical wonderland vibe of the room.

5. Textured Colorful Throw Pillows

This very modern boho chic living room is completed by botanical artwork, exotic throw pillows, and a rattan accent chair. The tropical, feminine vibe of this space is provided by the pink and green color theme. The colors are balanced out by the simple beige sofa. When needed, an additional source of light is provided by a brass floor lamp.

6. Earth Tones like Green, Brown, and Orange

Create a peaceful Boho living room atmosphere at home by incorporating earthy tones such as green, brown, and orange. Additionally, experiment with combining various patterns, as showcased with the patterned curtains and diamond motif rug. Get creative with your choices.

7. Indoor House Plants

You can have an abundance of indoor house plants in your boho home! Every corner of this boho living room is filled with plants and house trees! In the center, there is a beige sectional sofa, and a rattan bench is used as a coffee table to display additional potted plants.

8. Macramé Wall Decor

Macramé is highly favored as a wall decorating style in boho interior design, with various handmade shops and boho retailers offering these decorations. In this mid-century bohemian living room, there is a blue tufted velvet sofa accompanied by two brown leather accent chairs and two brown leather ottoman poofs.

9. Hanging Bed

If you have the ability to install a hanging bed, swingasan, or any other type of hanging chair, it will add a Bohemian atmosphere to your space.

10. Green Velvet Sofa

Given that green represents nature, it is reasonable for Bohemian living rooms to incorporate abundant green furniture, such as a luxurious green velvet sofa. This is complemented by neutral embellishments like a beige Beni Ourain rug, a bamboo coffee table, and a rattan egg chair.