How To Create a Bohemian Vibe in Your Home

Boho style is all about carefree creativity and storytelling through your decor

A Bohemian chic style is appealing to anyone who thrives in a creative, carefree environment that celebrates cultural diversity. If this sounds like the right match for you, your first step will be looking at what you already own to see what fits with the vibe. Then, mix patterns, colors and textures to create a comfy, casual feel that embodies the Boho style. This guide will give you a closer look at just what the Bohemian style entails and how you can create it in your own home.

Boho style centers around the word "Bohemian," which means a person who lives an unconventional life.¹ The Bohemian (or Boho) style is the opposite of minimalism, embodying an eclectic look that thrives in a mixture of colors and textures. It embraces nature,² carefree creativity, world travel and the celebration of different cultures.³
The core elements of a Bohemian chic style include:²

• A mixture of colors, from jewel tones to earthy vibes³
• Patterns and fabrics from around the world³
• Eclectic furnishings with different textures and styles
• Nature-inspired accents and live plants
• Art and decor that tell your own story of your unique passions and travels
• A comfy, casual vibe

A big part of Bohemian decorating is telling your story of where you've been and what you love. That's why your first step should be assessing your space and what you already own to see what fits with a Boho vibe.
So, start by establishing a vision for your transformation. Remember that your home is your canvas. Make a list of what you're most passionate about, whether culturally or in nature, and seek items that reflect that.
Assess the decor you own to see what reflects a casual and free-spirited vibe. It's important to incorporate your own history into your Boho chic aesthetic . Think about family heirlooms, maps or even journals that could be used in your decorations.⁴

Once it's time to look for new items to incorporate into your decor, consider these elements of Boho style:

Boho chic infuses a mix of colors, from jewel tones to an earthy palette.³ The color palettes don't have to match, but Boho thrives on a healthy infusion of color. Natural gemstones can be a good source of inspiration, like vibrant shades of ruby, emerald, sapphire or amethyst. Just mix up the bright tones with some neutral shades so you can maintain the comfy vibe that Boho is known for. For example, you might place a bright, jewel-toned painting in a thick, neutral-colored frame.⁴

Embracing cultural patterns from around the world is a vital part of the Boho vibe, whether you're using Cambodian tie-dyed fabric or central Asian embroidery.³ The key is that nothing needs to match—it just needs to feel good together and give a worldly vibe.²
While you're mixing up the patterns and fabrics, make sure the lighting accentuates them. Avoid harsh lighting, and seek a mix of cozy candles, lanterns and lamps.³

Eclectic, creative furnishing is a central part of a Boho chic feel. Try throwing a comfy, fluffy blanket over a wooden ladder. Or put a stylish, patterned rug on top of a rustic, reclaimed floor in your Bohemian living room. Hang canopies over your beds or couches. Seek a casual, comfortable feel to your furnishings.²
And don't forget that vintage fits in great with the Bohemian style. So go to your local thrift store or antique shop to look for unique, used furnishings.⁴

The natural world plays a key role in creating a Bohemian chic style. So decorate your home with plenty of live plants. Lilies and succulents are great choices.³ Then, incorporate more things from nature like feathers, stones or clay pottery.⁴ Liven things up with nature-inspired patterns like floral or leaf prints.²

When you're choosing art and other decorative pieces, remember that part of the Boho vibe is storytelling through your decor. So make sure you decorate with treasures from your own travels, like beautiful hats, baskets, handcarved statement pieces or a handwoven rug.²
However, you don't have to be a world traveler to use your own keepsakes as decor. For example, you can decorate the wall in your Bohemian living room with family heirlooms that reflect your culture. Or, create statement pieces out of original artwork or furnishings made by your relatives.⁴

Bohemian wouldn't truly be Bohemian without a mix of do-it-yourself (DIY) projects. Here are some ideas to help kick-start your creativity:⁵

• Macrame wall hangings and plant hangers: Create a macrame piece to hang on your wall, or decorate macrame around a plant hanger. Make it more unique by incorporating fairy lights.
• Throw pillows: Get inexpensive throw pillows in neutral colors and decorate them by attaching homemade crochet chains with a glue gun.
• Vintage headboard: Find a wooden screen or vintage headboard at a thrift store. Use it as a wall decoration or a new headboard for your bed, and decorate it with twinkling lights.
• Customized artwork: Make an art piece from different-sized woven wicker baskets and put it on your wall.²

Changing up your decor every now and then can help you preserve a fresh Boho vibe so things don't get stale. Here are some tips to help you maintain that casual, carefree vibe:

• Regularly rotate decor: By rotating your decor, you can keep up a Boho vibe that matches the seasons.
• Embrace imperfection: Boho style is all about carefree creativity and eclectic mixes. But don't seek perfection when you make changes to keep things fresh.
• Keep your space clutter-free: Even though you have an eclectic mix in your home, that doesn't mean your home is filled with clutter. Boho style is thoughtful maximalism, so reassess every now and then to keep things clutter-free.⁴

Creating a Bohemian style in your home is all about embracing creativity, culture and a carefree vibe. Lean into mismatched colors, textures and patterns, and think about what inspires you personally. With this focus, your Boho chic style will emerge, and your home will inspire you with its free-spirited vibe.
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