By Lauren Flanagan
Family & Living Rooms Expert
Bohemian style is unique, artistic, cultured and relaxed. It's a style meant for those who want their homes to be curated yet carefree,
and they want to show them off for all the world to see. Bohemian style
takes a stand against modernism and minimalism and instead embraces the
relaxed and the unique. That said, bohemian-style rooms tend to have
certain similarities – they share some of the same features yet no two
are completely alike.
Get the Look
Despite how carefree bohemian rooms appear, there are certain considerations to keep in mind.
- When it comes to color, warm earthy tones are king. Think brown, terra cotta, gold and other colors in that family.
- Jewel tones like saturated purple, fiery orange and electric blue often make appearances in accessories like wall hangings and throw pillows.
- Layer rugs and dhurries on top of each other. You can’t have too many!
- Look for colorful and eclectic lighting. In a bohemian room you can combine items like Moroccan lanterns and vintage crystal chandeliers.
- Be sure to mix lots of patterns and don't be afraid to use colors that wouldn't necessarily go together in a conventional way.
- Use natural materials like burlap and sisal and mix them with more luxurious types such as silk and velvet. The materials should have a slightly worn look (not damaged, but not shiny and new either).
- Don’t be scared of fringe and decorative embellishments. This is one style of decorating that can handle them.
- Fill your walls with interesting items. This can mean paintings in interesting frames, draped pieces of fabric, collections of mirrors, or anything else you can come up with. When it comes to the walls in a bohemian room, more is more.
- Accessorize with an array of worldly items. Ornate candlesticks, inlaid boxes, vintage maps, and mismatched china – you name it. Bohemians travel so the items in a bohemian room should look like they've been collected from the world over.
Where to Shop
Shopping
for bohemian-style rooms is both easier and tougher than other rooms
(yes, it’s a bit of a contradiction). Bohemian rooms tend to be full of
furniture that looks like it’s been collected over time, so
one-stop-shopping is not an option. However the great thing is that you
can purchase items for bohemian-style rooms in a wide variety of stores.
Second
hand and vintage items are right at home in these rooms so put these
kinds of stores at the top of your list. After that the choice is yours.
The most common type of furniture you'll find in bohemian rooms is
Victorian in nature, so antique shops
and auction houses are good options. Think chaises and fainting couches
in saturated colors with dark carved wood frames. Tufted upholstery is
also a good idea.
When shopping remember that shapes and sizes
aren't nearly as important as they are in other styles of rooms. Each
piece should be special and tell a story no matter what it looks like.
No one should be able to walk in to a bohemian room and be able to tell
where you got the furniture.
Online shops to check out include -
If
you're in need of inspiring photos to help you determine how you want
your space to look there are two helpful places to check out: Pinterest and the website of Justina Blakeney. Both are sure to inspire your inner bohemian.
source: about.com
