Everything You Needed to Know About Bohemian Style & Decor

Bohemian style is an extremely diverse, versatile style. This is a go-to style for those who love unconventional living and aesthetics. While many modern versions of the style have a more neutral color palette, the core style is actually quite vibrant with bold colors and patterns. The eclectic style behind boho is as beloved as it is artistic and customizable.

The Essence of Bohemian Style

Bohemian style, much like the actual aesthetic, has a rich and colorful history. The style was first formed in the 19th century by creative, nomadic performers. Boho style took root in Paris, France as it was inspired and designed by performers, writers, artists, and world travelers who deeply loved creativity, color, and self-expression. The core of boho style is non-conformity, so this style often scoffs at more traditional tastes and walks to the beat of its own drum with patterns, colors, and generally eclectic compositions.

Key Elements of Bohemian Decor

As an eclectic style, Bohemian decor often takes inspiration from different cultures and areas of the world. The style itself is often piecemealed in appearance as you gather trinkets, artwork, and decor that suits your aesthetic one piece at a time as opposed to buying them in bulk at a store. This style will never be as “matchy” as other styles, but it will absolutely be personal. Plus, boho style tends to use many colors, patterns, and textures to create a dynamic room where every piece has a story and purpose. Vintage, hand-made furniture and artwork contribute to that appearance and tone to create an inviting, interesting room.

Color Schemes and Materials

Vintage or more global versions of boho style tend to use bolder colors more frequently than modern boho. Teal, rich red, deep purples, and vibrant blues are all right at home in eclectic boho styles. On the other hand, modern iterations of boho style tend to use those colors more sporadically and sparingly in the room’s accent pieces. Modern boho style puts a great emphasis on creating a light and airy room with pops of color and texture, so you’ll often see simpler white or cream walls and furniture with bold accent pieces.

Another thing that both modern and vintage boho styles have in common is a love of nature and natural tones. Earth tones like clay and copper are prominent in all areas of boho style, as are natural materials like wood, rattan, and cotton.

Mixing Patterns and Textures

Textures and patterns are a central part of boho style. To create a visually balanced boho home or boho apartment, look for patterns that have similar designs or shapes. Geometric shapes, aztec patterns, and oriental medallions each carry their own tones, and by sticking with similar patterns throughout your room’s main accents, you can focus the room’s design. Aside from patterns, integrating numerous textures with different rugs (and pile heights/fabrics), throw blankets, pillows, wall tapestries, and woven pieces can help you establish that quintessential boho look.

Furniture and Layout

Since boho style is known for being comfortable and welcoming, it is important that your furniture encourages that tone. Choose comfortable pieces that tie into the room’s overarching eclectic boho design by gathering your furniture over time. Matching sets are far too traditional for most eclectic boho styles, and by intentionally using different pieces, you reinforce the gathered look of the room. When looking for boho furniture, consider pieces that show off bohemian colors and patterns, introduce texture to the room, and have lower profiles.

Incorporating Art and Cultural Elements

Boho style was founded by artists, and therefore it’s only appropriate to highlight art and creativity in today’s modern boho interiors. Instead of using mass printed or impersonal artwork, gather decor as it inspires and connects to you. Global boho in particular tends to include artwork, trinkets, and accessories from all over the world to show off humanity’s vast creativity and self-expression. Boho artwork and accents are beautiful, but they also carry stories with them based on the cultures they’re from, how they were made, and how you acquired the art. Stories and history are core components of bohemian style, so if you gather boho decor with that in mind, you’ll have a beautifully nuanced and interesting boho home.

Plants and Natural Elements

Plants and other natural elements like wood and stone are often used in boho styles to draw us back to nature and add more texture to the room’s grand design. Hanging plants and vines are often used in this style to create a natural flow that’s present in all areas of the room’s grand design.

The Role of Lighting

Depending on which way your version of boho style leans, you’ll use lighting differently. Vintage, eclectic, and some modern branches of boho style tend to use softer ambient lighting with lanterns, candles, and fairy lights. However, if you lean ultra-modern with your boho style, then you may use abundant lighting to ensure that the room feels bright and airy all the time. With all styles of boho though, natural lighting plays a key role in the room’s scheme and tone.

Bohemian style is popular in today’s design landscape thanks to its bold embrace of the unconventional and the artistic. This style is highly personal with its “collected” aesthetic, use of one of a kind artwork, and bold use of color and texture. All of these opportunities for personalization foster creativity and celebrate individualism, which helps in creating highly unique and personal spaces. With that in mind, you can go as bold or as subtle as you want with this versatile design style to create a rich and welcoming home.