Minimalist home décor might be popular, but there are still some who refuse to trade in colors, textures, and patterns for sleek, monochrome designs. For those with a flair for the creative, unexpected, and lived-in looks, bohemian décor is the way to go. Below, let these 21 boho living rooms ideas—plus how-to advice from interior designer Justina Blakeney of Jungalow—inspire your next living room revamp.
Meet the Expert
Interior designer Justina Blakeney of Jungalow is widely known for her penchant for bold and expressive décor. Blakeney's collections are sold at Jungalow.com as well as at retailers like Anthropologie and Target.
Go Natural
"I'm a big fan of natural materials in the home," Blakeney says, "and rattan is certainly having a moment." Rattan is the perfect natural material to incorporate in a bohemian living room. The eco-friendly vine is both lightweight and strong, making it ideal for a number of décor uses. Blakeney also points out that it's a great neutral base to layer with other colors and textures.
Incorporate Cozy Materials
Nailing the bohemian-inspired look means creating a welcoming space. This chunky throw displayed across the couch and potted plants invites us in. Décor in soft and organic materials, and a printed area rug complete the look.
Feature Collected Items
Bohemianism is all about bringing found objects into the home. Blakeney suggests incorporating old items and collected pieces from around the world to give a space an authentic bohemian vibe. When thinking about found pieces, look for contrasting colors and textures, Blakeney says.
Add a Vintage Rug
Part of creating a bohemian-inspired living room is leaning on pieces that are (or look like) they've been collected over time. Here, a vintage area rug is a cozy backdrop for plants, and woven or wicker baskets and furniture. Floor cushions add a touch of leisure.
Embrace New Trends
While bohemianism is no new concept, it's still affected by passing trends. Right now, Blakeney thinks it's all about chunky macramé pieces and overflowing amounts of botanicals. "I'm starting to see the macramé trend take a turn for the chunky, and I love it," Blakeney says. "I also am noticing that people are getting very creative and maximal when it comes to the sheer number of plants and plant placement in the home—things are getting very wild," Blakeney notes.
Think Bold Color Combinations
Replicating the boho look doesn't have to mean all structure goes out the window if you don't want it to. Although this living room feels sleek and minimalistic, bohemian touches comes through in bold color choices like the mantle and fireplace, and in contrasting patterns of the throw pillows, and area rug. A gold- or brass-finished side table adds just enough embellishment, too.
If you're new to the bohemian look and want to ease into it, experiment with painting a focal feature (like the fireplace), or adding a few décor pieces, in a juicy, eye-catching color.
Incorporate the Old With the New
Along with collected items, you can incorporate pieces both new and old to get the boho look. Blakeney is a fan of reupholstering, which can breathe new life into an older object. "I like to have fun with reupholstering old sofas in bold botanical prints," Blakeney says. You can also try your hand at thrift shopping to find unique home décor items to go with newer furnishings.
Bring the Outside In
Bring beautiful green plants inside for a true bohemian feel. Think long romantic vines or more modern palms that can be displayed in a variety of vases. According to Blakeney, plants should be placed where they'll be the happiest, which is usually near the windows. "Hang them from the ceilings, have them cascade off of high shelves, or include one large tree indoors for a real statement," Blakeney says.
Another way to bring the outside into your home is with pieces that easily transition from patio to living room (and vice versa). Blakeney's own collection of Inside Out Performance Fabrics are one way to get this look.
You can also strategically shop outdoor décor collections to snag décor details that function indoors and out.
Hang Art
"I think that one unique aspect of bohemian décor is that any surface can easily become a piece of art," Blakeney explains. Think upcycled objects, handpainted furniture, textile wall art, and even a statement-making gallery wall. "It's all about being creative and experimenting, having fun, and feeling free to try out the new and the unexpected," Blakeney declares.
Play With Patterns
In this living room, bold colorful décor mixes with playful patterns in a very bohemian way that says "we play by our own rules." Natural materials come through in the lampshade and coffee table, and bright pops of red and blue pick up on the color palette of the abstract floral painting above the couch.
Learn the Difference Between Clutter and Display
One common misconception about bohemian décor is that it can't be well organized. While boho spaces tend to be filled with objects, art, and textiles, they can still be entirely functional. "I don't love clutter," Blakeney admits, "I just love looking at art and books and mementos, and color makes me happy—but I also need order and function in my home or I go crazy!" Display your items with pride, but be wary of things getting out of hand.
Prioritize a Lived-in Feel
Again, the thing about creating a bohemian living room is opting for pieces that look and feel more weathered and worn than shiny and new. Here, this couch looks like it's been well-loved. A bright blue accent wall and bright orange pillows keeps things lively.
Pick Paint to Match the Mood
According to Blakeney, there are countless factors to consider when selecting the right shade of paint to adorn a bohemian living room. While it may depend on things like natural light, furnishings, and floors, you can also select paint based on the mood you want to create in a space. Add a pop of color if that fits your needs or stick with something neutral and let your bright décor speak for itself.
Max Out on Texture
When maximalist isn't really your style, yet you still want to infuse your space with a bit of bohemian flair, go for texture. Think: Cozy, tasseled, fringed, and pom-pommed. In this example, fringe acts as an art piece, adorns a throw blanket and the area rug.
Break the Rules
"Part of the fun of bohemian interiors is that there are no 'rules' to what fits and what doesn't," Blakeney indicates. She simply picks décor based on what she's drawn to, which tends to be patterned textiles like kantha and suzani quilts, indigo-dyed pieces from Japan and Mali, Moroccan textiles like Handira and Berber kilim, and weaving prints that she can design for herself. Follow Blakeney's recommendations or seek out whatever speaks to your design tastes.
Get Thrifty
For one-of-a-kind items that make a bohemian space feel special, Blakeney searches sites like eBay, Etsy, and Chairish. Flea markets and thrift stores are another way to score interesting curiosities that would fit perfectly in a bohemian living room. "I love flea markets," Blakeney admits.
Go Big With Botanicals
Here's another example of bringing the outside in. Curate a bohemian living room with plants–don't be afraid to go oversized with them–and lots of jewel-toned colors. A purple display cabinet, and yellow throw pillows stand out. A woven area rug underfoot also aligns with the bohemian vibe.
Mix and Match Décor
When curating a bohemian living room, feel free to mix and match from floor to ceiling. We're talking décor, colors, textures, and materials. Consider this blue velvet couch paired with a leather couch, patterned rug, and framed wall art depicting different scenes.
Choose a Bold Accent Wall
While everything else in this living room is tidy and streamlined, we can't help but think the pink accent wall, side table, and lamp were collected during various travels. Different-colored and shaped throw pillows and a patterned ottoman add to the free-spirited and eclectic feel of the space.
Mimic Nature
Since natural materials are key to the boho look, styling your space in a similar color palette feels soothing yet still on-theme. We love how Black and Bloom's muted earth-toned linens plays up similar colors of the mirror and plant.
Add Fringe
Want just a touch of boho? Adding a fringed element, like this pom-pommed throw blanket offers just enough personality. The ottoman in natural material completes the look in an otherwise minimalist-meets-modern bedroom.