Bohemian Interior Design: Colors, Decor & Ideas
Bohemian interior design, often called boho, is a relaxed, eclectic style built on layered patterns, global textiles, vintage and handmade furniture, and many plants. It uses warm, saturated colors such as terracotta, mustard, burgundy, and teal, natural materials like rattan, jute, and macramé, and low seating to create a personal, collected look.
What is Bohemian style?
The term comes from 19th-century Paris, where artists and writers living unconventional, low-budget lives were nicknamed bohemians, and furnished their rooms with secondhand pieces and souvenirs from travel. The look returned in the 1960s and 1970s with macramé, rattan, and patterned textiles, and again in the 2010s. People like it today because it rewards personal collecting over buying matching sets, works on small budgets, and makes rented homes feel lived-in.
Bohemian color palette
- Terracotta#C0623F
- Mustard#D19A2A
- Burgundy#7A2E3A
- Deep teal#1F6F6B
- Olive#6E7041
- Warm cream#F0E4CF
Key features of Bohemian design
- 1
Layered rugs, often a vintage kilim or Persian over a large jute base.
- 2
Pattern-on-pattern textiles from different cultures in one warm color story.
- 3
Abundant plants, including trailing pothos and large palms.
- 4
Low seating with floor cushions and poufs.
- 5
Macramé, woven wall hangings, and collected art hung gallery-style.
- 6
Warm, low lighting from brass lanterns, rattan pendants, and candles.
Materials
- Rattan, wicker, and cane
- Jute and seagrass
- Macramé and woven wall hangings
- Kilim, suzani, and mudcloth textiles
- Hammered brass and copper
- Reclaimed and carved wood
- Glazed terracotta and handmade ceramics
Furniture
- Low sofa or daybed covered with layered throws
- Rattan peacock or egg chair
- Floor cushions and leather or woven poufs
- Carved wood coffee table or low tray table
- Vintage dresser or sideboard with painted or brass details
- Open shelving filled with plants, books, and ceramics
Bohemian style room by room
Bohemian living room
Layer a vintage kilim over a large jute rug, add a low sofa with mixed-pattern cushions, two poufs, and a rattan chair, and hang a macramé piece above the sofa.
Try it on your living roomBohemian bedroom
Use a low wood or rattan bed, layered patterned quilts and throws, a woven pendant, and trailing plants on a high shelf.
Try it on your bedroomBohemian balcony
Lay an outdoor kilim-style rug, add floor cushions and a low table, string warm lights overhead, and fill corners with potted palms and herbs.
Try it on your balcony
Mistakes to avoid
- Clutter without a plan; tie the room together with three or four repeating colors.
- Covering every wall and surface; leave one quiet wall or open floor area for balance.
- Buying a full boho set from one store; mix vintage, handmade, and second-hand pieces.
- Using religious figures or sacred objects as decor; choose textiles, plants, and ceramics instead.
Get the Bohemian look on a budget
- Buy vintage rugs, brass, and baskets from flea markets and second-hand shops rather than new.
- Propagate plants such as pothos and spider plants from cuttings to fill a room for almost no cost.
- Hang a patterned textile or rug on the wall as a large-scale art piece.
Bohemian vs similar styles
Bohemian vs EclecticEclectic mixes eras and styles with more structure and often modern pieces, while bohemian centers on global textiles, plants, and a relaxed, low-slung look.
Bohemian vs MaximalistMaximalist goes bolder with saturated color and dense pattern in a more polished way, while bohemian is earthier and more casual.
Bohemian vs BotanicalBotanical makes plants and green tones the main theme, while bohemian uses plants as one layer among many textiles.
Bohemian vs MediterraneanMediterranean uses plastered walls, terracotta, and blue in a calmer layout, while bohemian layers more pattern and textiles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is bohemian interior design?
Bohemian interior design, or boho, is a relaxed, eclectic style that layers patterned global textiles, vintage and handmade furniture, natural materials such as rattan and jute, and many plants. It uses warm, saturated colors like terracotta, mustard, burgundy, and teal. Rooms look collected over time and reflect the owner's travels and personality.
What colors are used in bohemian interior design?
Bohemian interiors use warm, earthy, saturated colors: terracotta, rust, mustard, burgundy, deep teal, and olive, often on a cream or warm white base. Many rooms combine several of these in patterned textiles. Modern boho variations use softer neutrals such as sand, beige, and white with natural textures.
How do I make bohemian decor not look messy?
Choose three or four colors and repeat them across rugs, cushions, and art so the patterns connect. Keep one wall or area visually quiet, group objects on trays or shelves rather than scattering them, and use closed baskets for storage. Layer rugs and textiles deliberately, varying the scale of each pattern.
What is the difference between boho and eclectic style?
Boho focuses on global textiles, natural materials, plants, low seating, and a warm, relaxed mood. Eclectic style mixes furniture and art from different periods and styles, including modern and classic pieces, held together by a consistent color thread. Eclectic rooms are usually more structured, while boho rooms feel more casual.
What furniture is used in bohemian style?
Bohemian rooms use low sofas and daybeds covered in throws, rattan peacock or egg chairs, floor cushions, leather or woven poufs, carved wood coffee tables, and vintage dressers. Furniture is often second-hand, handmade, or found while traveling, and pieces rarely match, which adds to the collected look.
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