Boho Design: The Free Spirit

At its core, the boho design style embraces a carefree and eclectic vibe. It’s fun and unconventional, and joyfully leans in to the ‘no rules’ atmosphere that other design styles tend to shy away from. No two boho rooms are alike but all aim to evoke feelings of freedom and relaxation. It’s surge in popularity in recent years is evident, and likely not going away any time soon. In this post we’ll dive into some of the details that boho design embodies.

ORIGIN

The boho style began during the 19th century in Paris and was inspired by artists, performers and those living a generally nomadic lifestyle. They had a different view on life than most of society, prioritizing freedom and creativity over the endless pursuit of money. These people were carefree and relaxed with an anti-establishment attitude, and unapologetically rejected a more traditional lifestyle, which was made evident within their living spaces.

COLORS & TEXTURES

Boho style truly embraces all colors, but there is a sort of formula to follow so as not to overdo it and create an overly busy and chaotic space. It’s recommended to use a more neutral palette for the base of the room and then bring in pops of color and pattern within the furniture and accents. For example, a nice creamy white or light gray wall color will serve as the perfect backdrop to the more bold aspects of the room. Using white and other lighter colors strategically throughout will break up the space visually and prevent overwhelm. Stick with earthy colors and jewel tones, deep browns, greens and grays for your other base colors and save the brighter tones for accents and decor items.

Here is one example of a boho color palette:

Texture is another great way to create contrast within the space without overdoing it. Mix materials such as burlap, sisal, wicker and rattan with softer textures such as silk and chenille. You can also mix in fringe and macrame to create visual interest.

FURNITURE & DECOR

This is where things get really fun. Almost anything goes when it comes to furniture and decor. You can mix in vintage and globally inspired items while also embracing the natural world with plants and succulents. Add in layers with pillows, curtains and rugs to give it that cozy and relaxed feel. Leafy and floral patterns work well in boho spaces, and woven baskets are a great way to add in texture while also aiding in keeping your space organized.

When it comes to lighting, we recommend focusing on ambient and understated fixtures to help calm the lively space. Lanterns, lamps and candles are a great way to achieve that. You can add in an overhead light if the space will allow. There are a lot of beautiful woven and beaded chandelier options that would fit great in a boho space.

KITCHEN & BATH

A boho kitchen or bathroom can take many different forms depending on how deep into the style you want to go. One thing to consider is that elements of these two spaces are a bit more expensive and permanent than any piece of furniture or decor. Flooring, tile, etc are much harder to change out so we recommend staying away from anything too far out there.

Here are a few examples of boho kitchens and bathrooms to help you visualize.

Most elements are left neutral with a big pop of color in the decor. If you want to embrace the style even more, use color in elements such as the cabinets or tile. Just be sure it's a good balance of fun and cozy. If the color is too much, you can keep the cabinets neutral as well and rely on the furniture and decor to bring in the boho elements.

The other great thing about the boho style is that it’s versatile and can lean in many directions. You can make it minimalist or maximalist. You can go modern and chic or more relaxed and casual. It will fit in just about anywhere! Do whatever feels right to you while keeping within these general parameters and you’re sure to create a happy and uplifting space!