What is bohemian decor?

With any luck, you've found some ideas for your upcoming country wedding here. Weddings are unique events, so feel free to personalise these ideas as you see fit (or mix and match them to create your unique look). Learning the origins of the term "boho" needs some research into the past. Gypsies, or more precisely Romani people, were misidentified as Bohemians in the late nineteenth century when the name "boho" was first used to describe them.

Romani people were nomads who existed on the periphery of society. The term "bohemian" began in the early 18th century in Paris and came to be used to describe any scholar, artists, poet, or intellectual who eschewed conventionality in favour of a more freewheeling existence with few material things.

Boho style, also known as Boho, is for those who want their homes to be a reflection of their individuality and culture. This style goes against the grain of contemporary norms by celebrating a laid-back, unconventional vibe. The decor in a Boho room will always be a bit similar from one to the next, but no two Boho rooms will ever be exactly the same.

Boho is influenced by those who live on the fringes of society, such as world travellers, artists, and musicians. Bohemian aesthetics are reflective of this lifestyle by fusing together elements of different cultures, such as textiles, colours, and patterns. Boho could be the right aesthetic for you if you want to express your individuality through your clothing.

Looking for someone to help decorate on your special day? Check out our list of Wedding Decorators in Melbourne.

Bohemian Colors

Although there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to Bohemian decor, many people use rich, earthy colours, metals, and jewel tones. For the foundation, consider dark browns, greens, and greys; for the accents, try vivid purple, fiery orange, and cool blue. What sets apart this style is the way in which colours are combined and layered.

Don't be afraid to use patterns and textures that wouldn't normally go together, or to combine styles that wouldn't normally be seen as complementary. Give the room a sense of fun and exoticism by decorating with dyed textiles and patterns from around the world, such as Ikat from Cambodia or Suzani from Central Asia. Pile blankets atop the sofa and use tapestries and wall hangings in place of standard wall hangings to add texture to the walls and complement the artwork you've already hung. Keep in mind that while saturated colour is essential to Bohemian style, white can have a place as a backdrop for richer tones if all this seems too much. The addition of white to the equation can be used strategically to create the illusion of more room.

These days, bohemian-style furnishings and accessories can be found in almost any home goods retailer. As a result of its widespread popularity and ease of implementation, you can find examples of this design aesthetic everywhere, from your go-to cafe to your go-to clothing store. Honestly, at this point even your seven year old niece is probably an expert on boho fashion. The origins, however, were anything but ordinary.

Individuals who live an unconventional lifestyle, such as nomads, artists, and writers, are often the inspiration for bohemian-style decor.

What we now call "bohemian" is actually a design movement that originated in early nineteenth-century France, when artists flocked to Paris's gypsy (Romani) neighbourhoods in search of freedom from bourgeois conventions. To find one's creative voice and new standards of beauty, a nomadic lifestyle emerged as a result of this meeting of cultures.

What Is Boho Fashion?

Boho fashion, which takes its inspiration from the nomadic existence of bohemians, hippies, and gipsies, breaks away from the constraints of conventional dress codes in favour of what could be called "a look of planned dishevelment". Bohemian style is free-spirited and ethereal, drawing inspiration from a wide range of cultures and eras. The patterns and colours are bold and daring. Clothing tends to be long and flowing, and layers are common. Bracelets, necklaces, and dangling earrings are essential to any boho ensemble.

The boho chic style is a refined version of the free-spirited bohemian aesthetic. There is still a lot of potential for individuality to shine through, despite the fact that the pieces are more fitted, matched, and moderate in colour than Boho.

The modern definition of a bohemian is someone who rejects the norms and conventions of society. Bohemian aesthetics were adopted by the beatnik and hippie subcultures, and their influence can be seen in modern Boho.

If you want to decorate in a bohemian style, you'll need a few key pieces. It's a look that says you've lived life to the fullest: free-spirited, cosmopolitan, eclectic, and a fusion of old and new.

Decorative Materials

Boho is the antithesis of minimal, modern, and sleek, and its aesthetic emphasises clutter and excess. Making a Boho-style space is all about experimenting with different combinations of decorative elements. Silk and chenille can be paired with more rustic materials like burlap and sisal. The materials should look used and well-loved rather than brand new and pristine. Many of the decorative accents, including pillows, curtains, and throw rugs, feature fringe, crochet, or macramé for a homey, international feel. Bohemian style is often characterised by draping fabric from the ceiling or a canopy over the bed or sofa.

Check out our list of Top Wedding Decorators to help you make your day as magical as it can be.

Bohemian Furniture

It's rare to find authentic Bohemian furnishings in a retail establishment. Used and vintage furnishings are perfectly at home in these spaces because they have been filled with pieces amassed over time. We believe that every piece of furniture should be unique and evocative. Have a blast perusing your town's secondhand stores and pick out everything by hand. If you're truly into it, it will find a place.

Soft furniture in vibrant colours will give you and your guests a bohemian mood. You can make the floor a comfortable seating option by placing throw rugs or a pile of oversized pillows on it. Further, because a Boho room should invite one to linger, streamlined or straight-backed pieces are out of place. Go for loose, relaxing furniture like daybeds, butterfly chairs, and chaise longues.

Lighting and Accessories

Your Boho room will feel more cohesive and inviting with some soft, ambient lighting. Accent the room with a variety of lanterns, candles, and floor and table lamps instead of harsh overhead lighting. The global nature of today's design markets means that it's not hard to find items of varying shapes and styles that work well together.

Plants, especially ferns and hanging plants, help bring the outdoors in, which is an essential component of this design style. Plants not only liven up a space, but they also make it healthier to breathe. Extremely tolerant of neglect, philodendrons and peace lilies can thrive in a wide range of conditions. You could also try growing succulents, which are perfect for those who don't have much of a green thumb but come in a wide variety of colours and textures now. Just a sunny spot and occasional watering is all that's required to keep these showy plants alive and flourishing.

Simple Base

Every room decorated in the bohemian style needs to have a simple base colour in order to create a solid foundation. Using a neutral base of warm and earthy tones, you can layer on expressive colour and pattern without creating an overpoweringly loud space.

Create a harmonious, relaxing oasis with modern bohemian furnishings by saturating neutral tones with colour while keeping the base tone subdued. You risk quickly becoming bored with a somewhat chaotic starting point if you choose a bright base tone that may be too rich. A timeless design principle is to stick to a relatively muted colour scheme.

Botanicals

Plants are an easy and inexpensive way to create a laid-back atmosphere while also adding depth to a room, making them a perfect fit for the bohemian aesthetic. Plants not only help clean the air, but they also add a welcome splash of colour to any space without overwhelming the viewer.

As an additional beautiful and fun way to add depth and interest to any bohemian space, hanging plants are a must-have. Consider planters with character and style when planning your garden.

Use plants of all sizes and shapes to bring your bohemian space to life, from tiny succulents in a tiny woven hanging basket to a towering ficus tree that dwarfs everything else in the room.

Look for Soft Forms and Rounded Edges

The addition of soft, upholstered furniture and plenty of cushions and ottomans is a must for any boho-style home. The rule of "less is more" does not apply to this style, so go ahead and stuff your room to the gills. Rounded furnishings and accents complement bold colours and intricate patterns.

Display Your Treasures

Don't leave a destination without picking up some authentic local textiles and artisanal wares. When you get them, put them on display in your home, maybe as a collection on a wooden table or wall. You can get the same style by visiting stores that focus on foreign products.

Choose rich, saturated colours

Amethyst, turquoise, and jade are some of the hippie-approved hues. Blend warm and cool tones to make a space feel lively and full of life. Large furniture and upholstered furniture are best left in more neutral colours to ensure their durability over time.

Mix patterns and textures

Select patterns from around the world to capture the Boho spirit of wanderlust. Various cultural influences can be seen in the arts that come out of Africa, Asia, and South America. Picture patterns like mosaic tiles, tribal textiles, and paisley. To increase the luxurious feel, combine different textures such as smooth, plush, soft, and coarse.

Plays on Pattern

One of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to achieve a luxurious bohemian vibe at low cost is to layer patterns that are visually similar to one another. Injecting a variety of pattern is essential, be it through contrasting patterned rugs or colourful cushions and throws.

It's easy to achieve a lush, bohemian atmosphere by playing around with contrasting patterns, shapes, scales, and styles. For the sake of cohesion and to avoid things feeling disjointed, stick to a single colour scheme throughout.

Select a palette that you will enjoy returning to and that will work well with the rest of your design elements. These darker, more luxurious tones, such as burgundy, emerald green, and deep purple, are particularly recommended.

Low-lying Furniture

It may seem counterintuitive, but decorating at floor level is the key to achieving a true bohemian aesthetic in the home. Imagine couches with no backs, all covered in soft, plush throw cushions, and adjacent pouffes for even more seating.

And if you're thinking about floor seating, make sure there's a plush rug underfoot and a variety of cushions on top for optimal comfort. To finish off a chic bohemian living room that is perfect for hosting, go antiquing or shopping at flea markets (both of which are great for inexpensive eclectic decor ideas) to find some old, worn, and loved furniture.

Shy Away from Minimalism 

The aesthetic of bohemian design is one of lavish maximalism; it is not about spare surfaces or bare walls. Keep your living room brimming with carefully selected bohemian pieces, but our designers advise keeping things simple in the bohemian bedroom.

Do make your bohemian home uniquely yours by showcasing your most prized possessions and personal mementoes. Bohemian decor relies on a collection of carefully curated items that tell a story when put together; just make sure you have plenty of flat surfaces and wall space to show them off.

The home of a hoarder is not the type of atmosphere you want to create with your bohemian decor. The items in your home should all be well-organized and functional, but you need not be overly rigid about where they go.

What You Know Is True: Bold Color & Pattern Dominate.

Bohemian spaces, on the other hand, almost always make use of vibrant colour and pattern. Browns, greens, jewel tones, and metallics make up the majority of the colour scheme. Many bohemian textiles, such as Persian rugs and Ikat from Southeast Asia, feature patterns from faraway lands.

Bohemian style is not limited to using these components alone; it also encourages a fearless approach to layering and combining them. What makes it special are the unexpected pairings of colours and patterns, as well as the nontraditional ways in which they are used, such as hanging a rug in addition to using one on the floor.

A change of colourful fabric can completely alter the look of an old couch, table, or chairs. It has the potential to serve as a stunning tapestry for the wall, while also informing the choice of furnishings' colour scheme and material finish.

Put the finishing touches on your Boho room by incorporating handmade and vintage items from your travels and a family heirloom or two. Tapestries, old bottles, maps, and mismatched china are all great examples of accessories that tell a story about their owners. Don't be afraid to try out an ornate chandelier or a chunky gold-framed mirror; despite its tendency towards eclecticism, Bohemian style can still be chic and glamorous. There is only one requirement: everything in the room must have a backstory.