Are you looking for a way to modernize your home, but just aren't feeling that popular minimalist esthetic? If intricate details and bright colors better suit your tastes, it may be time to embrace boho decor. "Boho" is short for "bohemian," and the style takes inspiration from the countercultural movements of the 1960s and 1970s, but that doesn't mean you need to love retro to recreate it. Contemporary boho style involves filling your home with artistic patterns, textured fabrics, relaxing scents, and eco-friendly products. The key to getting the look just right is to avoid overdoing it with too many trinkets, colors, and decorative items, while still achieving a bright, eclectic look.
Boho style is all about rejecting conformity and straight lines. Rather than sticking to standard framed artworks, therefore, why not drape a piece of beautiful tapestry across your wall? Think outside the box when it comes to sourcing your fabric — intricate bedsheets, batik materials, or attractive tablecloths all work under the right circumstances. Affix the corners with nails, double-sided sticky pads, or glue, depending on how permanent you want it to be. Remember that some methods could damage the paint.
Arranging a seating area comprised of boldly patterned, mismatched cushions is a great way to embrace the bohemian lifestyle. As well as making the room feel bigger by reducing the height of furnishings, it offers a great space to flop down with friends or a good book. Sitting cross-legged on the floor can be an adjustment, but many find it feels very calming and liberating — give it a try!
No boho home is complete without a vintage rug. If you're willing to go second-hand — very eco-friendly! — floor furnishings can be found for a good price, and they're an excellent way to instantly inject your home with the vibe you want. Search thrift stores and online retailers for large, tasseled rugs with multi-colored designs and intricate patterns. Once the rug is in place, you'll have a good jumping-off point for further decorating.
Houseplants have become widely popular as decor recently, and they are an absolute must for any boho aesthetic. Potted plants are an easy way to turn your home into a haven of calm and tranquility. Do some research before purchasing any new specimens by checking that they are suitable for your home — some plants need more light, water, or special care than others, and some are toxic to pets. If you're looking for species that are easy to care for, try succulents.
Curing up in a hanging chair can be supremely relaxing and offers a fun, soothing change from a basic couch. There are plenty of styles on the market, though most evoke the idea of an egg or cocoon. Make your new, drifting reading spot as cozy as possible by filling it with textured cushions and a beautiful throw.
It is important to get the lighting just right in a boho-style room. After all, achieving a tranquil atmosphere is fundamental to the trend. The first rule is to avoid anything too large and bright — a single overhead light is generally out. Instead, opt for smaller lights scattered around the room. String fairy lights back and forth across the ceiling or walls — different types let you choose between big, bold bulbs and barely-there dots of light. Alternatively, source eclectic table lamps and position them in key spots around the room.
Dreamcatchers are a Native American cultural and spiritual item, and they have long been popular in retro and vintage spaces. You can make your own with a metal hoop, leather thong, and string, or source one from a local maker or shop that sells Native American art. Though often hung near or over the bed to entangle bad dreams, dreamcatchers look just as striking dangling from bookshelves or hung on the wall.
If you're lucky enough to have an exposed brick wall in your home, make the most of it! Contrasting chic boho furniture against blank brick is the epitome of hippie-throwback style and is sure to impress your guests. If you're not keen on the russet color, consider softening and brightening up the space by painting them white. This will give the room a clean and modern feel without losing that boho vibe.
Nothing screams boho cool quite like a room full of books. If you're a keen reader, you probably already have stacks of books piled away somewhere in the attic. Instead of handing them down to friends or leaving them to fester, display your favorite reads on bookshelves that double as decor! If you're low on stock, take a trip to your nearest secondhand bookstore to feed your inner bookworm. This is a great opportunity to give your space a literary makeover and score some excellent new reads, too.
Whether you've visited countless fascinating places or you like collecting the forgotten evidence of others' travels, boho style goes perfectly with cute, kitschy figurine displays. One of the best ways to remember your trips or dream about places you'll one day go is to display the wares of these far-off nations. Bright, bold colors are perfect, and you can feel free to mix and match as much as you want.