Johann Hunt
Does your space feel like it’s missing something, but you can’t quite put your finger on it? Sometimes, homes need a thoughtful revamp rather than trendy items. A laid-back boho decor can bring that warmth and personality into your home. So, let’s explore how to capture that mood with these 20 boho upgrades.
Layer Rugs For Texture
Layering rugs is one of boho’s signature tricks for adding warmth and visual complexity. Typically, a larger neutral rug like jute or sisal sets the foundation, while a smaller patterned kilim or Moroccan rug lies on top. This mix creates contrast underfoot and draws attention to the space.
Mix Patterns Freely
Pattern mixing in boho style is less about rules and more about rhythm. Florals, ikats, and geometrics coexist beautifully when linked by shared colors or contrasting scales. For example, large-scale florals pair well with narrow stripes. Moreover, adding solids or textured neutrals between patterns helps the eye rest and refocus.
Use Macrame Decor
Macrame’s rise in the 1970s was a craft revival. Today, that knotted beauty has returned in many forms: circular wall hangings, hanging shelves, and cradle-style plant holders, among others. These pieces often use cotton rope and wooden dowels to offer texture without bulk.
Incorporate Woven Baskets
Typically handwoven from materials like seagrass or sisal, each basket brings craftsmanship and subtle texture into the room. Interestingly, baskets from Senegal often feature distinct color blocking. Consider Bolga baskets from Ghana that are famous for their sturdy leather-wrapped handles. You can use them to hold yoga mats or create plant holders.
Add Floor Cushions
Floor cushions are a boho must-have because they encourage flexibility and comfort. Large square poufs or Moroccan leather ottomans double as impromptu seating or footrests. Oversized meditation cushions invite guests to lounge freely. Materials matter here, so look for heavy linen or embroidered cotton with supportive filling.
Bring In Houseplants
While houseplants don’t purify air as much as once believed, they still offer subtle benefits. Many reduce specific indoor pollutants and increase humidity, especially in drier environments. More noticeably, they soften harsh architectural lines and inject calm through color and form.
Hang Tapestries Or Textiles
Wall hangings offer an easy alternative to framed art, especially for renters or frequent redecorators. Vintage suzanis from Central Asia or embroidered kantha quilts from India are particularly valued for their motifs and storytelling details. A textile backdrop adds acoustic warmth, especially in echo-prone rooms.
Choose Earthy Color Palettes
Earth tones create the relaxed foundation that boho thrives on. Ochre, burnt sienna, dusty rose, and sage green reflect nature’s richness and help tie eclectic pieces together. Paint companies like Behr and Benjamin Moore even feature full boho-inspired swatch collections. These hues work very well in natural lighting.
Embrace Vintage Furniture
Bohemian interiors favor items with soul, and vintage furniture delivers just that. Think cane-back chairs or a slightly beat-up trunk repurposed as a coffee table. Many thrift finds or estate sale pieces come with craftsmanship. You can’t buy new ones at the same price.
Opt For Natural Materials
Using natural materials grounds a boho room in tactile authenticity. Rattan and cane bring a tropical texture, while jute and hemp offer rustic appeal underfoot. Bamboo is surprisingly strong, often used in lightweight furniture and light fixtures. What’s more, these materials are eco-friendly and biodegradable, which aligns with the bohemian emphasis on earth-conscious living.
Display Global Accents
Global accents add authenticity and layered meaning to boho spaces. Moroccan lanterns cast patterned shadows. Then, the Indian block prints and Guatemalan textiles introduce bold colorwork rooted in tradition. These items often support fair-trade artisans, making your decor ethically significant.
Hang Beaded Curtains
Beaded curtains offer both function and flair. Commonly used as door dividers or visual separators in small spaces, they sway with movement, catching light and adding tactile dimension. They can also help with ventilation and light flow without requiring traditional windows.
Create A Cozy Nook
Whether it’s a cushioned window seat or a hammock chair in a corner, the goal is to design a soft space to relax or reflect. Incorporate elements like a low bookshelf or layered textiles to define the area. Dedicated comfort zones like reading nooks reduce visual clutter and improve mood.
Use Soft Ambient Lighting
Instead of overhead glare, use floor lamps with fabric shades or layered candlelight to cast a diffused glow. Choose LED string lights that offer subtle sparkles that can blend seamlessly with natural textures. Combined thoughtfully, this lighting softens hard lines and calms the eye.
Style With Handmade Items
Handmade items carry a sense of intention and individuality that mass-produced goods often lack. Ceramic mugs with slight lip variations or hand-painted planters tell a quieter story of craftsmanship. These pieces rarely follow strict symmetry, yet they exude warmth. As a bonus, buying directly from makers fosters community while adding artistic soul to your surroundings.
Decorate With Driftwood
Driftwood offers sculptural elegance that is shaped naturally over time. Found along coasts, it’s often sanded smooth by ocean currents, so each piece is one-of-a-kind. Artisans frequently use it in chandeliers or freestanding sculptures. Untreated driftwood is favored for its pale, silvery patina and lightweight form.
Layer Blankets And Throws
Begin with a neutral cotton base and add contrast through wool or embroidered kantha blankets. Notably, vintage suzani or Turkish towels can double as throws, introducing cultural flair. Draping throws at varying angles over couches or bed corners can add to the relaxed look.
Showcase Art
The Boho style encourages personalization, and art is its emotional core. Framed or unframed artworks can lean casually against the wall or hang salon-style. You can also display art on windowsills and crates by placing books on topics like folk art or plant care.
Add Whimsical Accessories
Whimsy has a rightful place in every boho room. Think of handmade mobiles, mushroom lamps, ceramic animals, or miniature globes. These quirky pieces act like visual punctuation marks, playful but not overbearing. Their charm often lies in the unexpected: a velvet cactus pillow or a vintage toy car placed on a shelf.
Keep It Effortlessly Unpolished
Boho interiors aren’t curated for perfection; they’re lived-in and constantly evolving. Let books lie slightly askew and let textures clash without tension. This design philosophy embraces character over control. Using unfinished wood or handmade pottery adds that unpolished edge intentionally.