Have you ever spent sleepless nights imagining ways to revamp your room? A little throw pillow here, a tribal tapestry there, a good-looking teal table by your bedside. While imagination is key to setting up a gorgeous space, it helps to plan it out to really make it happen!
While the never-ending Pinterest pins, Instagram saves and millions of bohemian screenshots warm themselves in the gallery, how about saving the one blog that will help you begin your set up right from a clean slate?
Firstly, how did bohemian decor come to be?
To really understand the true meaning of bohemian decor, it is a must to dig into the culture’s history. Bohemianism started as an unconventional lifestyle which involved musical, artistic and literary pursuits. Anyone who lived as a free-spirit was bohemian or considered themselves a part of this lifestyle. The culture saw its dawn in France, and turned into a lifestyle across seas and continents and continues to be prevalent today.
The main ideas that one takes away from the bohemian style are of a free-spirit exuding a natural warmth, and a vibe which is free-flowing and unique.
Unlike minimalism or Scandinavian design, bohemian decor is a little more liberal in terms of color palettes, organization and experimentation.
Beginning with Bohemian Basics
To make the decor space transition to a bohemian one, it makes sense to begin with the following things in mind:
Functionality: Before you go about picking bohemian knick-knacks for your space, start the process by identifying what you want to do with it. Answer this basic question to get on with the next process- who is the space for? Is it for yourself as a balance between home and work, or is it for your kids?
Answering this helps identify the things that will add the element of every day functionality to the space, along with its beauty of course.
Style: Don’t give in to what is popular at the moment. Sit down and note down your likes and dislikes. What are the colors that soothe you, or make you feel productive? Pick them for your space while keeping functionality in mind.
If it’s a study, vibrance works for some. If it’s a bedroom, keeping cool colors makes more sense to exude the element of relaxation.
Where does one begin with the set-up?
Turning your space or bedroom into a bohemian space is a creatively charged exercise. As the style is completely non-conformist, it truly brings out the personality of the one who resides within that space.
To build its base, think trends from the beatnik and hippie eras to identify your cultural aesthetic straight from the originators of this culture.
Organised dishevelment
An oxymoronic definition for a decor space, bohemian decor is
- Romantic and flowy
- High on culture
- Has vintage antiques as standout elements
- Has a structure less, free-flowing vibe
- Merges the old with the new
- Comprised of free-flowing hues, like an artist pouring their soul on a canvas
You might even see many bohemian settings adorned with cultural frames and literary books as identifying symbols of the person’s aesthetics. The colors are mostly vibrant and do not follow a set palette- think Morocco.
Once all of these elements come together, what you see in front of you is your unique personality which is nothing short of wonderful.
Digging deeper into Bohemian Colour Combinations
Even though the bohemian style is liberal enough to pick colors with abandon, choosing a warm or cold palette makes it easier to pick stuff at the flea market, or your favorite vintage store.
- If you’re looking to add a warm and cosy vibe to your space you can pick the saffron and golden yellow theme. Feel free to add rubies and magentas to add pop elements
- For the cool palette, you might have already seen turquoise bohemian pieces. Colors like amethyst, jade and teal accentuate the cool quotient of the space while exuding energy
Choosing bohemian furniture
The free-flowing aspect of bohemian decor might make many go overboard while shopping furniture. But having furniture that is neutral and accustomed to a neutral palette helps experiment more with other decor items. If you have a completely abandoned color wheel, it won’t really look bohemian- rather it might give away an extremely loud and uninviting feel.
The free-flowing romantics also place comfort as a big part of their space. No wonder you’ll see innumerable cushions, lots of ottomans, and soft upholstered furniture in every bohemian setting. The choice is such that just looking at it will make you want to relax and feel completely at home.
The role of patterns in bohemian decor
Patterns and textures are one of the other primary focuses of bohemian style. As it’s high on culture, picking styles and statements from other countries and cultures gives the space a rich feel. From paisleys, tribal prints, or parisian statement pieces: add what reflects your inner vibe.
Natural is always a yes
There isn’t a finger one can put on the number of plants in a bohemian space. Money plants, spider plants, good-looking Areca palms lend the closest bohemian vibe to the culture’s history.
Items you might have picked on your trips- sea shells, pebbles, crochet- bring a natural and culturally stimulating vibe to the place.
Throw in a printed rug and some comfortable seating to complete the entire look. Statement mirrors and Moroccan puffs work great in bedrooms as well as living rooms.
Now that you have updated your knowledge of the bohemian space, how about getting right to setting it up?