A bohemian room may be as simple or eclectic as you wish.
"Boho" is the shorter, chic way of saying bohemian. Regarding this style of interior decor, some may think of the Bohemian culture that arose in Paris during the 19th century while others may imagine a room filled with vibrant colors and an eclectic array of folksy items. Whatever you consider boho to be, know that you have free license to be as eccentric or as simple as you please. After all, the true bohemian spirit represents nonconformity or going against the grain.
Bohemian Cafe
If you relate to the bohemian lifestyle that began in Paris during the 19th century, you can transform your bedroom to look like a cafe where members from this counterculture met. Artists, writers, musicians and youth lingered in places like the Cafe Momus to discuss ideas, explore their creativity and mock the bourgeois class.
When setting up your room in this Parisian boho style, think about what your main creative outlet is, and incorporate that into the room. If you are a writer, a typewriter would be fitting; for a painter, a canvas with works in progress near the window would be a nice touch. If space permits, provide a space for social times where those you can relate to on a deep level may sit for hours. A simple table and benches would be reminiscent of the cafes on Montmartre, but even a used couch or some bean bag chairs would suffice. Candles, faux brick surfaces and prints of wine bottles or coffee cups will help create this atmosphere from back in time. Incorporate nostalgic posters or newspapers, works of art that you or your friends have created, used lamps or tapestries, instruments you play and plants into this boho room.
Gypsy Style
The term bohemian has a connection to Bohemia, a historical area in what is now the Czech Republic. Many of the gypsies from Bohemia came to France and their nomadic, musical lifestyle was looked down upon by the upper classes. Thus, the artists, writers and musicians who founded the urban counterculture were nicknamed bohemians as they were compared to the gypsies.
To pay homage to this migrant population, create a gypsy style bedroom. Incorporate as many colors as possible into the room in terms of walls, floors, bedspreads and accessories. Hang lanterns and strings of lights around the borders of your room. Imagine the room is a fully-packed caravan used for traveling the world by hanging bags, hats, ornaments and scarves around the room. Incorporate anything that represents past or future vacations, such as maps, postcards, photographs and cultural artifacts.
Minimalist Decor
At the core of bohemian values was minimalism or anti-materialism. Unlike the gypsy style of bedroom that is chaotically filled with colors and items, you can create a simple bedroom that still has a bohemian motif.
For example, Red ONLINE.CO.UK displays a bedroom with a naturally peeling wall colored with earthy tones; only a few furnishings are in the room, including a lilac deep cushioned bed and a simple wooden side table. House Beautiful describes Roman Alonso's simple bohemian decor. Alonso incorporates burlap curtains, furniture upholstered by an off-white linen and many items found cheap at used vintage shops; only a minimal amount of bright colors are incorporated, such as within floor mats and wall hangings.
Hippie Motif
The Hippie generation is a derivative of the Bohemian culture, states Mount Holyoke College. Incorporate peace and love into your bedroom with a hippie style of decor.
Cover the walls with Vasuki wallpaper and Indian star tapestries, or paint a multi-colored mural depicting a nature or social justice theme. Place a shag rug on the floor, and hang beaded curtains in the doorway and windows. You'll want to hit used stores to buy some vintage furniture, such as a funky lounge chair or a corduroy couch. Create colorful collages to cover lamp shades and side tables or to hang on the walls. You may want toi use tie-dyed items and old records as accessories.
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