Boho Living Room Design Concepts

The boho style brings a free-spirited and eclectic vibe to any living room. With an emphasis on unique textures, earthy tones, and unconventional decor, boho living rooms feel casually put-together yet still visually cohesive. This laidback style creates a warm, inviting atmosphere perfect for relaxing and entertaining.

From choosing the right furniture and textiles to displaying meaningful artifacts, we'll cover all the elements that define the bohemian aesthetic.

Choose the Right Furniture

The furniture sets the foundation for any bohemian-style living room. Opt for pieces with lots of character - think distressed wood finishes, vintage appeal, and textured woven textures.

• Oversized sofas and sectionals with relaxed silhouettes feel extra cozy and inviting. Go for corduroy or velvet upholstery in rich jewel tones.
• Look for vintage dressers, cabinets, and side tables at flea markets or antique shops. The more unique, the better.
• Incorporate handmade touches with macrame chairs, colorful crochet pillows, or hand-carved stools.
• Add an organic look with woven banana leaf chairs, rattan side tables, jute rugs, and live edge coffee tables.

Cohesion Through Imperfection

The boho style celebrates imperfections. Mix distressed and antique wood furniture for lots of visual interest. Aim for unconventional pairings unified by texture and color rather than an overly coordinated look.

Use Lots of Textures

Texture creates coziness and dimension while reinforcing the boho style. Incorporate surfaces with visible weaves, patterns, and nuanced detail.

• Natural fiber rugs like wool, jute, and sisal add depth underfoot.
• Display intricately woven tapestries, beaded wall hangings, and embroidered pillows.
• Faux fur throws, sheepskin rugs, velvet pillows offer irresistible softness.
• Accent with ceramic vases, carved wood bowls, hammered metal trays.

Guide The Eye Through Varied Textures

Guide the eye around the living room by varying textures in thoughtful vignettes. For example, juxtapose the nubby texture of a wool rug, the smoothness of ceramic vases, and the softness of a velvet sofa.

Pick Earthy Tones

Earthy hues like browns, greens, terracotta, and mustard yellow help create a grounded, nature-inspired palette. Accent with pops of color through pillows, art, and accessories.

• Start with organic neutrals like ivory, sand, and tan
• Incorporate rich shades like emerald, magenta, and sapphire blue
• Add warmth with orange, terracotta, mustard and gold tones
• Contrast bright colors with black and white for vibrancy

Color Harmony

Tie the color scheme together with one or two dominant tones interspersed throughout the room - in larger pieces like the sofa as well as pillows, throws, and accessories.

Incorporate Greenery

Plants infuse living spaces with life and a connection to nature. Position leafy greens and trailing vines throughout the room for bright pops of color and texture.

• Suspend air plants in handmade macrame holders
• Display potted cacti and succulents on vintage wooden crates
• Add tall, oversized palms in woven baskets for drama
• Incorporate wheat grasses, monsteras, and ferns on accent tables

Living Decor

Since plants enhance wellness, use them to create a tranquil retreat. Place near seating nooks to highlight the calming effects.

Display Meaningful Decor

Fill your bohemian living room with items that inspire you and reflect your personality. Seek out special pieces while exploring flea markets, antique shops, and art galleries.

• Showcase tapestries, paintings or photographs in eclectic frames
• Display your favorite souvenirs, tchotchkes or other found items
• Add handmade ceramics, woven baskets, carved statuettes
• Incorporate meaningful quotes into artwork and pillows

Conversation Starters

Unique accessories spark curiosity and conversation. Display special travel mementos or family heirlooms to encourage interaction with your decor.

Mix and Match Patterns

The boho aesthetic embraces bold, contrasting prints that infuse spaces with energy when combined thoughtfully. Layer patterns in moderation for cohesion.

• Incorporate globally inspired motifs like ikat, batik, paisley
• Add folk style embroidered and floral prints
• Display vibrant striped, plaid, and geometric rugs
• Accent with sculptural ceramic vases or carved statuettes

Guide The Eye

Place patterns in clean-lined furniture, like a striped sofa or printed armchair to ground busier accents like pillows and rugs.

Add Warm Lighting

Lighting sets the mood - incorporate layers of illumination for a cozy glow at all times of day.

• String Edison bulb lighting across the ceiling
• Position wrought iron candelabras with flickering candles
• Use textured lamp shades on table lamps
• Place hammered metal lanterns on side tables or shelves

Form and Function

In addition to ambiance, lighting enables use of the space. Place task lighting in reading nooks for late night page-turning.

Finish With Free-Spirited Touches

Inject wanderlust and give traditional furniture a breezy update by incorporating globetrotting finds. Display special travel mementos or family heirlooms to encourage interaction with your decor.

• Adorn doorways with beaded curtains
• Embellish walls with dreamcatcher art
• Suspend hand-painted mudcloth pillows
• Display exotic souvenirs and found items

Conversation Starters

Unique accessories spark curiosity and conversation. Display special travel mementos or family heirlooms to encourage interaction with your decor.

Layout Ideas

Think creatively about furniture placement and room flow. Sectionals, modular seating and cozy nooks enhance flexibility.

• Arranging sectionals to define spaces
• Floating furniture away from walls
• Maximize corners with benches or chaise lounges
• Add a daybed, settee or ottomans for extra seating

Multi-Functional Spaces

Incorporate customized storage solutions like rolling carts, floor poufs with hidden compartments and relaxed open shelving.

Mistakes to Avoid

While boho celebrates creative expression, it still requires thoughtful editing. Avoid overdoing it.

• Clutter from too many accessories
• Disorganization from open storage
• Discomfort from form over function
• Disharmony from haphazard mixing of colors and textures

Cohesion Over Chaos

Edit accessory groupings with restraint - handmade ceramics, plants and artwork should complement each other. Clean-lined furniture anchors busier accent pieces.

The bohemian design style allows you to creatively express your free spirit. Display cherished objects from around the world. Choose furniture with natural and authentic textures. Incorporate unexpected colors and globally inspired patterns layered with abandon. Decorate your bohemian living space as a soothing sanctuary that encourages relaxation and connection.

Infuse your home with an adventurous mix of colors, textures and furnishings collected from near and far. The richness of this eclectic style creates a welcoming space for family and friends to enjoy for years to come.