If you are looking for a modern bohemian bedroom style, the first thing one must do is decode the word ‘bohemian’ (not to be confused with people hailing from Bohemia, a region in the Czech Republic).
‘Bohemian’ is an elusive term that is hard to define, especially in today’s time. Bohemianism refers to an ‘unconventional’ style of living, typically associated with nomadic practices where people lived in a commune with few permanent ties to jobs or property. The term ‘Bohemian’ is said to have been used in France for the first time, in the 19th century.
- How Do You Decorate a Bohemian Bedroom?
- What Are Bohemian Colors?
- White Bohemian Bedroom Style
- Dark Boho Bedroom
- Blue Bohemian
- Bohemian Bedroom Decor on a Budget
- Not Forgetting the Bohemian Ceiling Treatment
- Some Extra Tips
- Low Seating
- Lights, Lights, Lights!
- Pre-Loved Furniture
- Keyword Search
- Steer Clear of Black
- Pop of Color
- Final Word
In the French context, the term alluded to groups of people, predominantly artists, who lived in low-rent areas. These communities were perceived to be practicing unorthodox forms of kinship, and frequently had anti-establishment socio-political views. Their lifestyle came to be known as ‘Bohemian’ because the neighborhoods they concentrated were popular with the Romanis – a nomadic community that was mistakenly identified as originating in Bohemia.
Today, the term bohemian does not have to refer to any specific community of people, or even to a lifestyle. It is more commonly associated with sartorial choices and aesthetics and a perceived disregard for established societal rules.
How Do You Decorate a Bohemian Bedroom?
Bohemian aesthetics are characterized by flowy fabrics, eclectic prints and colors. It is a vibrant and colorful aesthetic which, true to its artistic roots, does not conform to too many rules. The only rule is that one must not be straitjacketed and should be open to experimenting with colors, patterns and textures. You can also experiment with tapestries of different kinds, beads and string lights.
What Are Bohemian Colors?
There is no single answer to what would make up a Bohemian color palette, but the general aesthetic tendency is to stick to earthy colors and warm tones, accentuated by a splash of metallic hues. Bohemian color schemes will typically contain an earthy color as the base color, which can be complemented with a variety of other colors and patterns.
Some of the common bohemian colors and patterns include deep brown, greens, grays as base colors, often used along with bright oranges, vibrant blues, etc. The popular bohemian patterns include tie and dye prints, delicate floral patterns, Aztec prints and geometric designs, to name a few.
You can be a modern boho with painted walls, rustic furniture and adventurous use of textiles and prints. Small businesses like Bohemian Earth Designs are one of the best places to find the bohemian decor that will make your bedroom look the warm haven you desire.
White Bohemian Bedroom Style
If you are wondering what would be a white bohemian bedroom style, there are several ways to experiment with the color. For starters, you can use different shades of white to open the room out even more. White is also one of the best colors to use if you have limited light entering the bedroom and want to make it seem brighter, and more open.
While minimalism does not sound like something that would fit into the bohemian aesthetic, given the importance of patterns, colors, and layering, it is certainly the key to the bohemian way of life. An unconventional, often nomadic way of life that believes in the lightness of being – this is the mark of a true bohemian lifestyle.
While not everyone has the conviction to live this way, minimalism in bohemian aesthetics can be incorporated quite easily, and white is the way to go about doing this.
A white bohemian bedroom style is one that is most in tandem with a modern bohemian look. You can retain the elements of bohemian decor, such as a crochet, macrame, tassels and more.
A white bohemian bedroom can also be made warmer with a few splashes of color with the textiles used in the room, perhaps with a floor rug or the canopy of a four-poster bed. You can also add freshness to the room by adding plants and accentuate the white walls with watercolors and paintings.
Dark Boho Bedroom
A dark boho or bohemian bedroom is one that will make use of deeper colors, perhaps a dark gray or brown for the walls. The use of color in a dark boho bedroom will be to break up the monotony of the dark tints. On the whole, the dark boho bedroom will follow a chic color palette.
So if you have dark grey walls, you may want to look at grey and yellow living room accessories. This could be a lamp, cushion covers, or even the carpet. The idea is to put together colors that complement each other, even if you are experimenting with patterns and textiles.
It would also be beneficial to pick one base color, and then use complementary colors to decorate the room accordingly. So if you pick caramel as the color of your wall, you should do several trials to pick out colors that go with caramel walls. Caramel is a tertiary color and will go splendidly with shades of red (perhaps on a lampshade or on a cushy armchair) and with relaxing earthy green colors.
One of the best sources for an earthy green is to keep natural, green plants in your bedroom. This is a sure shot way to brighten up your bedroom, whether your base color is light or dark.
Do not hesitate to put a small plant by your nightstand or a vibrant plant like a palm. It might require slightly more care, but it is one of the best ways to make the room look warmer and more bohemian.
Blue Bohemian
Blue is one of the best boho colors to use for a bedroom. Blue is a cool-toned color that will give your bedroom a relaxed and welcoming vibe. An electric blue is a great way to spice up a light-toned white bohemian bedroom. A deeper, royal blue is also a color that goes with lighter colors.
If you are wondering what colors go good with light grey in a bohemian setting, the color blue is your answer! Blue is a great color for a boho-chic look. You can consider painting your widest bedroom wall a luminous indigo blue and then use complementary colors to break the monotony of the dark color.
Indigo and white go very well, as do deep blues and bright yellows. Blue is a versatile color that you can use as a base, and then match with several vibrant prints of various colors. The blue also does not have to be only on the wall. You can keep blue as the running theme of the room while keeping the walls white.
For example, the carpet in the room can be blue, the lampshades can be blue and perhaps the upholstery can be blue to follow the theme. But all the other elements in the room can be of a complementary color, or white to be on the safe side.
Bohemian Bedroom Decor on a Budget
Bohemian bedroom decor does not have to be expensive. In fact, this can be one of the most cost-effective and reasonable ways of styling your bedroom. You do not need to go to a fancy or expensive store to source items that will give you the perfect boho bedroom decor.
In fact, the best way to get a bohemian bedroom decor is to hit thrift stores and flea markets and get your hands on pre-loved goods. Bohemian aesthetics also focus a lot on fabric and layers, so you can even purchase fabric with a pattern you like and stitch it at home with a portable sewing machine or have a local seamstress/tailor help you out.
Buying the fabric yourself and getting things stitched, whether it’s for cushions covers, bedsheets, or wall tapestries, will grant you the customization that a readymade item will not. It may also come out to be cheaper than buying home furnishing at a fancy store.
Another way to do bohemian decor on a budget is to repurpose your old clothes and jewelry. Use old trinkets to decorate your room, perhaps using old earrings as tassels and the fabric of an old maxi dress as a throw for a chair. Be innovative and find ways to reinvent existing things in your home and incorporate them into your boho bedroom.
The key to getting boho aesthetics right is to experiment. Keep asking yourself questions – does purple and grey go together? Can I use a tie and dye print along with a block print? How should I play with texture and light? These are all questions the answers to which will lead you towards a more interesting and exciting bedroom decor.
The only rule when you are experimenting with bohemian decor is to not be restrained by any rules. However, while this kind of freedom can be exhilarating, it can also lead to too much clutter and clashing prints. So be experimental, shop at dollar stores, flea markets and thrift stores, and think of different color palettes. At the same time, go with your instinct and do some mix and matching before you arrive at a final decor.
Not Forgetting the Bohemian Ceiling Treatment
So far, we have spoken of wall paint colors and ways to decorate the bedroom. But one of the most innovative ways of using fabric in a bohemian bedroom decor is for the ceiling. You may have seen interesting photos on Pinterest of stunningly decorated bedrooms, with a lot of natural light, plants, and a ceiling canopy that makes the room look cozy, like a Bedouin tent.
This is one of the distinct ways of styling your bedroom and giving it a warm bohemian vibe. This does not require a lot of time or money. You can simply take a fabric that you like, preferably a light, airy fabric. Of course, to be able to drape it from your ceiling and get an authentic canopy look, you will need to install hooks and loops through which the fabric can pass. This will allow you to tether the fabric to your ceiling.
However, if you have a ceiling fan this may come in the way of a canopy decoration. This is a style best applied to a room that has a central cooling or at least, has an empty ceiling without any light or fan fittings. It would also be preferred if the room has a lot of natural light. The canopy can make the room seem cluttered and small.
With the right amount of natural light, the room will have an inviting warmth but it will not look busy or too cluttered. Too much fabric can also make a room smell musty after a point. Some sunlight and fresh air will do the room good and will keep it fresh for when you want to retire or if you want to entertain guests.
Some Extra Tips
While the basics of getting a boho bedroom decor right have been covered above, the following are some small tips you may find useful.
Low Seating
A low-level seating gives any space a more intimate and casual vibe. While you may not want to keep your bed at a low level, you can keep other seating arrangements in the room low. Use ottomans, floor pillows, bean bags and more to create an intimate and warm bedroom setting.
Lights, Lights, Lights!
Apart from natural light, you should invest in light fixtures of different kinds. Salt lamps are one of the most popular boho lighting options. You can also use fairy lights to keep the room warm and glowy. Use different combinations of lights and don’t forget to use a wicker lamp somewhere!
Pre-Loved Furniture
Using vintage pieces is one of the best ways to give your bedroom a bohemian feel. This can be a pre-loved trunk, an armchair or a chest, to name a few things. If you are at a thrift store or a flea market, look for wood and wicker. You can also look for metallic accessories such as planters, succulents, etc. Metallic pieces will go very well with the earthy tones of a boho color palette.
Keyword Search
If you are looking for bedspreads, curtains, rugs and accessories that would fit your boho bedroom mood board, looking for them online with the help of the right keyword searches may give you some of the best results.
For example, if you are on online shopping sites such as Amazon, you may want to type in keywords such as ‘ikat’ (a popular dyeing technique used in the South and Southeast Asia), ‘Indian’, ‘Moroccan’, ‘Ushak’, etc. This might sound reductive but these are the keywords that are most likely to get you the right results.
Steer Clear of Black
While you can use some elements of black, you should avoid using the color as a block or in too much quantity. For a bohemian bedroom decor, it is best to stick to lighter palettes, even when you are looking at the finish of the wood in your furniture. The light colors will give you a clear slate to experiment with patterns and textiles.
The play with patterns can also make the room look busy, and if there are too many dark colors, that may make the decor look heavy. It is usually best to stick with lighter palettes and use one dark element to ground the room.
Pop of Color
While the bohemian aesthetic is all about experimenting with colors and textures, try to avoid color blocking too much. It would be advisable to have one bright colorful element in the room and let that stand out, instead of having several bright things that distract from each other.
This does not mean you cannot use other colors, but try to keep them subdued and let that one pop of color speak for itself. This can be a piece of furniture, a wall or even the door. This is a good way to ground the room even when you are using an array of textures and prints to decorate it.
If the colorful piece you are using in the room has some uneven edges, that is even better! The bohemian aesthetic is far from perfect and you do not need to sandpaper over any imperfections.
Final Word
While the bohemian look is extremely flexible and fluid, it does require some coordination and storyboarding to get it right. Very often, the bedroom can look too cluttered, busy and uncoordinated. But if you find a base color and then add complementary elements on top of that, you should be safe and will get a delightful bedroom out of this.
It does involve a lot of hits and trials, and experiments before you find a look that you like the best. But remember to keep playing with natural elements and find ways to make the room as intimate and warm as possible.
A bohemian bedroom decor will allow you to retire into your room and will also make you feel like you are on an adventurous vacation, even when you are only on your bed daydreaming.
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