Bohemian Interior Design: A Simple Guide to Bohemian Design

Bohemian design, also known as boho design, is a style of interior design that revels in playful colors, textures, and patterns. Unlike minimalist Scandinavian or modern design, boho design embraces maximalism and encourages individual expression through the curation and layering of multicultural textiles, art works, and decorative objects. Bohemian interior design embraces decor ideas from around the globe. Its free-spirit, anything-goes approach made it one of the most popular interior design trends of the late twentieth and early twenty-first century.

The term “bohemian” comes from the French word “bohémiens,” a term used to describe a nomad, outsider, or adventurer. It was originally a pejorative term used in the early 1800s to describe the Romani (gypsy) population of Paris, whom the French believed were from Bohemia, a historical region in the present-day Czech Republic. The term has since evolved to mean free-spirited, unconventional, and eclectic—qualities that have carried over into a loosely defined approach to interior design.

The bohemian decor style is wide-ranging, but there are a few essential characteristics you can incorporate to make any room in your home a boho room.

1. 1. Eclectic color palettes: There is no standard bohemian color scheme, but choosing a variety of deep jewel tones, bright colors, earthy colors, or a mix of all three can inject the boho ambiance into any living space. For a more boho-chic aesthetic, white walls will provide a blank canvas upon which you can display macrame or natural-dyed wall hangings.
2. 2. Mismatched textiles and patterns: Boho style incorporates burlap, silks, chenille, sisal, and crushed velvet—often all in the same space. Boho design also allows for a mix of patterns that would be considered mismatched according to other interior design styles.
3. 3. Global influences: Cambodian Ikat and Persian area rugs are common features in bohemian home decor.
4. 4. Well-worn and natural: When styling boho interiors, incorporate second-hand, vintage items to serve as focal points. One-of-a-kind sculptures, paintings, pottery, and rugs can all be used to help tell a story that's unique to your room.
5. 5. Greenery: Succulents and houseplants add pops of color and keep your space feeling fresh and lively.
6. 6. Furniture made for lounging: Bohemian furniture is typically low to the ground, made from natural materials, and covered with plush pillows and throws. Furniture pieces with various heights and colors make the space feel casual and inviting. Chaise beds, rattan chairs, mid-century coffee tables, and Moroccan poufs are some of the more popular bohemian design trends that have become the staples of a bohemian living room.
7. 7. Ambient lighting: Candles, lanterns, and table lamps provide the kind of warm, ambient light associated with bohemian style. Bohemian decor can also accommodate a flashy dining room chandelier or modern pendant lights when balanced with warm, natural room decor.

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