Boho

Your guide to shopping for bohemian decor

Successful home decor reflects the personality of the decorator. If you want your decor to shout, "free spirit," chances are you're drawn to bohemian, or Boho, design. While modern design features clean lines and order, bohemian decor is carefree and relaxed. Think vintage furniture, colors, patterns, and 1960s fringe with a little global inspiration thrown in. To infuse your home or apartment with free-spirited style, here's what to look for when shopping for Boho decor.

Living room furniture

Boho living rooms feel warm and welcoming. To achieve this carefree style, mix and match a comfy leather or velvet sofa with slipper chairs in bold, graphic patterns. When shopping for living room sofas and chairs, look for features like sturdy wood frames, solid wood legs, no-tool assembly, and stain-guarded fabrics.

For more bohemian-style living room furnishings, bring in globally inspired accent furniture like a rattan coffee table, woven footstools, and colorfully embroidered floor pillows. For long-lasting use, always choose floor pillows with removable, washable covers.

Rugs

You can't have chic, Boho spaces without rugs in vivid colors and patterns. When shopping, look for rugs featuring southwestern, Asian, Moroccan, or floral designs. If you're looking to fill your room with a rug, measure carefully and allow for about two feet of floor space between the rug's edges and the wall. When placing any rug on a bare floor, make sure to buy carpet tape and a rug pad to keep it in place. This is particularly important for safety in homes with small children or animals. To create visual interest, place smaller throw rugs on top of larger rugs.

Decorative pillows

Decorative pillows in many shapes and sizes help create the perfect bohemian space. For a stylish layered look, mix and match all kinds of shapes, from square and round pillows to bolster pillows. As with floor pillows, make sure products feature removable covers for easy washing.

If you're on a budget, look for decorative pillows stuffed with synthetic polyester fill, and make sure the fill is tightly packed to preventing lumping. Pillow covers made from cotton are easy to wash, breathable, and affordable.

Decorative accents

Although bohemian spaces ooze a relaxed, casual vibe, be thoughtful when purchasing decorative accents. These items help make your decor pop with personality and charm. Consider shopping for big woven baskets, interesting old bottles, Asian-inspired statues, antique bird cages, carved wooden screens, and lots of candles. For optimal health, shop for candles made from 100 percent soy wax. These candles are free of synthetic additives that may contain harmful toxins.

Wall decor

If you're designing a bohemian space, don't forget about wall decor. The items you hang on your walls show off your personality. For true Boho style, shop for wall tapestries, painted tiles, small hanging shelves, wicker-framed mirrors, and paintings on canvas. Before purchasing paintings on canvas, make sure the canvas is stretched, well-secured, and ready to hang.

When hanging any wall decorations, take a tip from gallery owners. Determine where you want to hang your item, and measure 60 inches from the floor. This spot should be the center of your decorative piece or pieces.

Comforters and quilts

Boho bedding is all about color. When picking out a comforter, consider hues like tangerine, teal blue, lavender, or lime green, and match these vibrant colors with fun prints. Think paisley, floral, striped, chevron, or tribal-inspired patterns. If you have your heart set on a down comforter, pick up a colorful Boho-style duvet cover for added protection.

If you prefer a more natural look, shop for a white or cream-colored bed quilt featuring lots of texture like fringe and pom-poms. Pair your quilt with bright, embroidered pillows for the perfect pop of color. For a blend of quality and comfort, shop for breathable, machine-washable quilts made from 100 percent cotton.

Patio furniture and accessories

Don't confine your free-spirited style to indoor spaces. Take it outdoors with bohemian patio furniture and accessories. A hanging egg chair made from sustainable wicker makes the perfect addition to the backyard, or you might want to consider a comfortable hammock.

To bring even more Boho style to outdoor spaces, shop for a cozy glider love seat, a ceramic bird bath, a few wooden lantern holders, and some wind chimes. When shopping for wind chimes, choose products made from copper, brass, or aluminum for extra durability and a beautiful sound.