Five Key Characteristics Of Bohemian (Boho) Design

Bohemian design, or Boho if you want to keep things more casual, is a home decor style that provides you with plenty of opportunities for self-expression. Through playful textiles, colors, materials, and accessories, it’s possible to convey a relaxed, free-spirited vibe that’s welcoming, warm, and fun.

Bohemian design prizes a carefully considered balance between natural hues and vivid colors. The boho style welcomes a more maximalist approach to design, but it does so with a relaxed precision to avoid looking cluttered. Vintage elements, lots of natural light, and layering fabric and textures are essential to attain the classic Bohemian style in your home.

A lived-in, laid-back energy is at the heart of Boho spaces but with evident thought put into the details. It’s important to make this distinction, as many people think Boho means a bunch of knick-knacks, macrame, and beaded curtains everywhere. It’s time to get a better understanding of this popular design style

The Beginnings Of Bohemian Style In Home Interiors

Boho as an interior design style gets its inspiration from the bohemians of the 19th century and beyond. These were creative spirits, including writers, artists, explorers, performers, and others who traveled from place to place, focusing more on beauty and creativity than money and stability.

In homes, Bohemian style started popping up in Paris during the 1890s, and it quickly made waves through central Europe. People found the style appealing because of its unconventional approach to design, blending a variety of cultures and artistic expressions. Design was no longer about what society found normal or acceptable, it was about expressing oneself and embracing out-of-the-box ideas of beauty.

As the years passed, other defining moments in history contributed to the boho style, including the hippie culture of the 1960s and into the 1970s. Bohemian spaces made interior design more about the individual instead of following cultural norms. It embraces an anything-goes mentality that often comes across as refreshing and inviting.

Five Key Elements Of The Bohemian Design Style

Again, it’s worth mentioning that it’s important to remain intentional when working with Bohemian style. Although the idea is one of being carefree and expressive, you don’t want to end up with a cluttered, overwhelming space.

Therefore, Boho style, like every other design trend, has a few key characteristics that define it. You want to understand them and use them intentionally to attain the beautiful Boho space you desire. However, above all else, the main element should be infusing your home with the things you love and that reflect your personality.

For some, that may mean their ideal Boho space is more subtle, with global influences thoughtfully spaced throughout their rooms. However, for others, the Bohemian style looks more colorful, vibrant, and eclectic. Basically, whichever way you define Boho, curate your space with a plan, and keep these five elements in mind.

1. Bohemian Style Shows Your Unique Story

The biggest part of Boho style is infusing your home with your personality and sharing your story with others through your design choices. It’s this quality, celebrating the creative spirit of the original bohemians, that’s at the very heart of the design trend.

Everything in the space should reflect a piece of you and your experiences, even if it goes against more conventional design concepts. Accessories and decor collected during travels and explorations of other cultures are a popular addition to boho spaces, with a primary focus on natural elements. For example, clay pottery, stones, greenery, and feathers are common embellishments.

Add a framed map from your favorite vacation, a gorgeous family heirloom, and original artwork to showcase your unique story. Whenever possible, defer to these more intimate and personal pieces over mass-produced, cookie-cutter options. Mix and match different cultures, interests, and world experiences to curate your perfect space.

2. Use A Mixture Of Natural And Vibrant Colors

You have options when it comes to color in Bohemian design. A more classic take on the style uses plenty of vibrant colors, especially bold jewel tones. More modern approaches lean toward a more subdued color palette, focusing on earth tones and neutrals. Think colors like orangey terracotta, leafy greens, warm golden sunshine, or sunset-inspired shades.

Or you can meet in the middle and mix things up, blending natural tones and vivid colors into one cohesive space. Remember, first and foremost, you want the style to offer a relaxing ambience. Therefore, placing bold colors against a neutral background provides moments of visual rest that can help balance out your design.

3. Incorporate Vintage Furniture And Accessories

Going hand-in-hand with using personal pieces, is adding a touch of vintage to your Bohemian-styled home. Vintage items are synonymous with unique items, since they aren't things you’re going to find in current stores.

Incorporate special pieces from your childhood, older relatives, and heirlooms. Visit antique shops and second-hand stores to find interesting pieces that draw your eye. Browse through markets during your travels to uncover one-of-a-kind treasures that add to your visual story.

4. Layer Textures And Patterns

Layer various materials and textures to create an eclectic, comfortable, and inviting space. Examples include a cozy, colorful wool rug placed diagonally over a jute base, a woven basket piled high with plush, velvety throws, and an assortment of textured pillows.

Don’t be afraid to use several different patterns. Make a statement with interesting seating, like oversized poufs or a hammock in the corner. Look for accessories with fun embellishments, like bead work, hand-made macrame planters hanging in front of the window, or a fringed curtain.

Mix and match natural materials, using dark wood tones alongside light ones or merging metal and stone. Place a rattan sofa in the center of the room, surrounded with buttery soft leather chairs. Experiment with various combinations to find one that speaks to you and your personal sense of style.

5. Maximize Natural Light

Let in as much natural light as possible to keep your Boho look airy and carefree. Avoid frilly, fussy window treatments, opting instead for lighter sheers or minimal coverings that let in the light and warmth.

If your space has limited access to natural light, take advantage of what’s there by strategically placing mirrors throughout. The mirrors’ reflective surfaces bounce light around the room, lightening dark corners and brightening the space. When natural light is in extremely short supply, replicate what you can using artificial means, layering different light sources by using lamps, sconces, and other fixtures. 

Classic Boho With A Modern Twist

People sometimes hear the words “Bohemian design” and instantly picture some overly casual, hippie-inspired den with beaded curtains and tons of clutter. However, over the years, the Boho style has put its foot down and said, “I’m here to stay, this is me, and I make no apologies.” 

It breaks the normal rules of design with its eclectic sensibilities, but modern interpretations have injected it with a stylish, sophisticated edge. The hallmark of the style is to choose what you love and go for it, but do it with a plan.

There are a few main things to focus on if you want to give your Bohemian home a modern touch.

• Mix natural materials, use lots of textures and patterns, and incorporate bold colors throughout the space.
• Additionally, aim for a cozy, comfortable energy by bringing in plush accessories and textural elements, like rugs, pillows, baskets, poufs, and blankets.
• Balance the old and the new by working vintage furniture and decor into your home, including pieces that share something personal about your life. 

Be Bold With Boho

It’s okay to break the rules when you’re designing your home, especially if your style of choice is Boho. You could say much of what inspires Bohemian design is your own interpretation of beauty.

The style draws inspiration from the original creatives that started this trend — wandering artists, performers, writers, poets, and others who made it their life’s goal to find beauty in the unusual and unconventional.

Therefore, focus on what you find beautiful and bring it into your personal space. Remember, if you embrace the Bohemian design trend for your home, then each room should tell your story in a way that is unapologetically you.

Related Guides:

• A Beginner's Guide To Home Design
• Design Rules You Should Never Break
• Design Trends That Look Great But Aren’t Practical