4 Easy Ways to Turn Your Home Into a Bohemian Paradise
In this edition, we’re going to focus on Bohemian Style, a favourite of social media, thanks to its bright colours, exciting patterns and abundance of luscious house plants and botanicals.
If you like what you read and love what you see, you’ll find plenty of handy links scattered throughout this article to help you easily shop the style and transform your home into your very own traveller’s paradise!
Sound fine and dandy (Warhols - classic early noughties pop culture reference!) Then let’s get to it!
What is Bohemian Style?
Before we begin, a little history. The term ‘Bohemian’ was first used in 19th Century France to refer to the Romani people who - it was believed - had arrived in the country through the region of Bohemia (the western part of what is now the Czech Republic). Throughout the 1800s, the Romani neighbourhoods became increasingly populated by artists, poets, writers and other creators. As a result, the label of a ‘Bohemian’ came to represent those on the outside of ‘conventional’ society, whether in how they lived, how they acted or how they thought.
The term bohemian has come to be very commonly accepted in our day as the description of a certain kind of literary gypsy, no matter in what language he speaks, or what city he inhabits ... A Bohemian is simply an artist or "littérateur" who, consciously or unconsciously, secedes from conventionality in life and in art
— Westminster Review, 1862
When it comes to interiors, then, Bohemian style encourages you to cast aside traditional decorating norms, to think outside the rigid lines of cold & clinical minimalism and create something that is unique to your own personality and life story.
That said, there are still a few boho boxes one must look to tick in order to truly nail the look:
Step One: Colour
Naturally, for such a vibrant and exciting design style, colour has a big role to play in the Bohemian interior. However, before you scatter the better portion of a Dulux factory across your living room, expert opinion is to first lay down a neutral foundation of warm, rustic and earthy tones. Not only will this give the colours you do add on top an extra pop, but it'll also make for an easier transition should you feel a desire to shake the style up down the road!
With that foundation in place, look for accessories and ornaments in rich, jewel tones such as teal, sapphire and magenta to bring a sense of opulence and luxury, or embrace Boho's botanical roots with emeralds, greens and roses.
Step Two: Pattern
Perhaps the attribute most commonly associated with the Boho style, the use of pattern and print is what allows you to truly set your (market) stall out.
Look for vintage or well-worn Ikat rugs, Aztec-inspired scatter cushions and Tribal wall hangings - don't be afraid to mix and match!
If you want to look beyond soft furnishings, dress your dining table with some patterned crockery or retro-inspired cut glassware. You could even adorn a dresser or chest of drawers with some botanical door knobs for a chic upcycled look.
Step Three: Texture
The Bohemian style is all about immersion, whether that be in a country, a culture or an emotion. Therefore, it's vital to create a room that is as enticing to the touch as it is to the eyes.
Items like woven wicker or hessian placemats and Japanese hobnail teapots bring a flavour that is as tactile as it is traditional, especially when paired with some classic Turkish Tea Glasses.
The addition of some Moroccan-style metal tealight lanterns adds another textural element while furthering that sense of trans-continental travel.
Step Four: Outdoors, Indoors
Whether you're an old-school hippie, a new-age traveller or something in-between, no Bohemian paradise is complete without a liberal helping of house plants.
A large fern or yucca plant is always a sure-fire statement piece, as is the retro-tastic Monstera (aka Swiss Cheese!) plant. For smaller spaces, scatter succulents and cactuses across ledges and other surfaces - either potted or in a chic glass terrarium.
Want to take things to another dimension? Botanical prints are a contemporary way of bringing that natural element in without the responsibility of a physical thing to feed, water and care for! Display in a box frame for a sleek contemporary feel, or go more rustic with a distressed wooden finish.
With your plants in place, look to maximise their source of light by positioning mirrors near windows. This will help spread sunlight throughout the room, showing off your style while also making rooms appear larger and more inviting.
Have you embraced the Bohemian lifestyle? Share your work with us on social media and help others get inspired!