Bohemian-Style Home Ideas

Past and Present

• A very important feature of the bohemian style is the mixture of old and new. Find ways to combine vintage and modern materials to create a bohemian look. For instance, cover a vintage table with ultramodern place mats or pair a sleek, modern chair with an antique, well-worn desk. Place a figured lamp with fringe and crystals on a tubular steel end table. Creatively fill the space with these mismatched pairings to achieve the look you seek.

Handmade Objects

• Handmade products have a place in bohemian style. Essentially, this is a design mentality inspired by artistic people. Therefore, it only makes sense to include objects handmade by artists and artisans in the space. Handwoven rugs or fabrics, original art or simple objects that you repurposed yourself all make good additions to a bohemian-styled home.

Busy Spaces

• Current design gurus advocate getting rid of clutter for a "clean" look. Bohemian decorators take the opposite stance. Forget the idea that "less is more;" if you want to establish a bohemian look, "more is more." A true "boho" interior should look busy, full and almost overflowing. Art, fabrics, pillows, books, furniture and a variety of objects should be used to fill the space as much as possible. For example, pile several pillows and throws of different fabrics and styles on sofas and chairs, cover the walls with paintings, mirrors, wall hangings and small shelves filled with curios and place several different area rugs on the floor.

Lighting

• Use soft, colored lighting to make a bohemian space come alive. Hanging Moroccan-style lanterns with colored glass are often featured in bohemian spaces. At least one fixture should provide an amber-tinted light; experiment with other colors, such as a soft pink. Use stained-glass lampshades to add colored light. Choose an eclectic mix of lighting fixture styles, from wrought-iron sconces, to chandeliers, to tabletop figured lamps.