Design Style Spotlight: Bohemian

Design Styles

Style Vibe: Care-free, exotic, personal, fun, unconventional.

With its global blend of styles and free-spirited appeal, the Bohemian interior design style is as timeless as it is on-trend. Inspired by nomadic artists, Bohemian interior design emphasizes handmade creations that speak to originality. There are no fixed rules to this design style, except for a commitment to the unconventional and authentic. The key to styling a boho interior is that every item in your space should have a story to tell. ✌️

Want to know which design style matches the vibe you’re going for in your space? Take our quiz to find out!

What are the Hallmarks of Bohemian Design?

The Bohemian design style is easily recognized by its multicultural vintage pieces, natural textures, multiple layers, bold colors, and prints.

Is Bohemian Style For You?

This style is a perfect match for laidback world travelers, artists, flea market enthusiasts, and yogis. 🧘🏽

What Does a Bohemian Home Look Like?

Because of its broad-sweeping blend of styles, Bohemian design fits most homes, though it works best in non-linear and informal homes.

How to Design Your Space in the Bohemian Style:

Color Palette

Bohemian interiors display natural colors mixed with bright and bold jewel tones.

Furniture

The Bohemian design style features a blend of old and new furnishings, distressed finishes, and a hodgepodge of textures and natural materials like wicker and rattan. Low-lying seating like leather poufs and floor cushions are popular in this style, as are hanging chairs, daybeds, carved headboards, and the iconic peacock chair.

Flooring

Hand-scraped hardwoods, natural fiber carpeting, ceramic or porcelain tile in global prints, and painted floors are typical of the Bohemian style. For even more details on flooring, check the handy dandy resources in The Library!

Decor

Bohemian decor is all about layers of globally-inspired pieces in various textures, like kilim pillows, layered Moroccan and Persian rugs, African baskets, ikat, and Shibori patterned textiles and accents with bead and tassel embellishments. Walls in a Bohemian home are adorned with botanical printed wallpaper, paintings and prints in mixed-finish frames, and large tapestries. This design style wouldn’t be complete without a large variety of plants, geodes, macrame, and travel trinkets.

Window Treatments

Create Bohemian-style windows by layering global or paisley-printed drapes in neutrals or saturated colors, burlap or macrame curtains, and bamboo shades. By the way, DezignSpace has your back when it comes to the ins and outs of window treatments; check out Drama-free Drapery: Your Detailed Guide to Understanding Window Treatment Basics

What to AVOID When Styling a Bohemian Space

The Bohemian design style is not minimalistic with either order or structure and does not typically feature matching furniture sets, a lack of color or pattern, or anything that looks brand new.

Is the Bohemian design style totally your jam? If so, be sure to hop over to The Store to check out some Bohemian goodies that we love! If you’re looking for more, check out these retailers:

If so, then you are going to LOVE these retailers: