Gypsy in Your Soul: 10 Steps to a Bohemian Bedroom
If your inner boho is clamouring to be released, feed your fantasies in a gorgeously unconventional bedroom
In my teens, I desperately wanted to be Stevie Nicks from Fleetwood Mac. I wanted to wear leather with lace and shawls with metre-long fringes and have mad hair. I also coveted the free-as-a-bird gypsy attitude she embodied – she was my bohemian dream.
Defining bohemianism (boho) as an interior style is really attempting to label something that can’t be labelled, so dependent is it on the individual. It has elements of shabby chic and eclecticism, mixed with an artistic and theatrical flamboyance that has nothing to do with trends. Boho is witty, whimsical and highly reflective of the mind and lifestyle of the person who embraces it. In its way, it is an anti-style, but at its heart is a love of art, colour, contrasts, creativity, travel, adventure, the past and, above all, freedom from convention.
The bedroom is our most personal space – it’s where we let our hair down and our imagination loose. So if the real bohemian you is just dying to flaunt itself, the bedroom is a great place to start.
Defining bohemianism (boho) as an interior style is really attempting to label something that can’t be labelled, so dependent is it on the individual. It has elements of shabby chic and eclecticism, mixed with an artistic and theatrical flamboyance that has nothing to do with trends. Boho is witty, whimsical and highly reflective of the mind and lifestyle of the person who embraces it. In its way, it is an anti-style, but at its heart is a love of art, colour, contrasts, creativity, travel, adventure, the past and, above all, freedom from convention.
The bedroom is our most personal space – it’s where we let our hair down and our imagination loose. So if the real bohemian you is just dying to flaunt itself, the bedroom is a great place to start.
STEP 1: Learn about the lifestyles of famous bohemians
Immerse yourself in the bohemian headspace by reading about the history of bohemianism and the creative people who have lived a bohemian life. Decide if you have their sense of adventure. Hang portraits of your most admired and inspiring bohemians in your bedroom.
MY FAMOUS FIVE BOHEMIANS
Immerse yourself in the bohemian headspace by reading about the history of bohemianism and the creative people who have lived a bohemian life. Decide if you have their sense of adventure. Hang portraits of your most admired and inspiring bohemians in your bedroom.
MY FAMOUS FIVE BOHEMIANS
- Artist Frida Kahlo, (pictured)
- Fashion designer Vivienne Westwood
- Poet Leonard Cohen
- Dancer Isadora Duncan
- Artist Margaret Olley
STEP 2: Enrich your bedroom with art
A blank wall is anathema to a boho – walls are simply there to hold art. Many of us tend to put our best artworks in the public parts of our homes. Also give them a spell in your bedroom, where you can appreciate them in a personal and reflective space.
Bohemianism has always been associated with artists, musicians, writers and designers, and if you are reading this story, you probably have artistic leanings. Why not start work on a bedroom mural or collage that tells the story of your life as it unfolds? This fabulous mural was created by Montreal artist Carlito Dalceggio.
A blank wall is anathema to a boho – walls are simply there to hold art. Many of us tend to put our best artworks in the public parts of our homes. Also give them a spell in your bedroom, where you can appreciate them in a personal and reflective space.
Bohemianism has always been associated with artists, musicians, writers and designers, and if you are reading this story, you probably have artistic leanings. Why not start work on a bedroom mural or collage that tells the story of your life as it unfolds? This fabulous mural was created by Montreal artist Carlito Dalceggio.
Celebrate the human body in your bedroom artworks. The bedroom is an intimate place, so give it some private sensuality with a little flamboyant nudity. Australian artist Norman Lindsay has been described as a ‘natural bohemian’ and was famed for his (at the time) provocative depictions of naked nymphs, based on Rubens’s voluptuous nudes. They are still pretty hot today. Lindsay prints can be found on poster websites.
STEP 3: Take risks with colour
There’s no such thing as the ‘wrong’ colour. Forget paint colour forecasts – the world of colour is where bohos free their minds. Interior analysts may be perfectly correct in concluding that certain bedroom hues are more sleep-inducing than others. If all you want to do in your bedroom is sleep, read more here. If you want a colour-filled oasis that speaks volumes about you, then follow your heart.
There’s no such thing as the ‘wrong’ colour. Forget paint colour forecasts – the world of colour is where bohos free their minds. Interior analysts may be perfectly correct in concluding that certain bedroom hues are more sleep-inducing than others. If all you want to do in your bedroom is sleep, read more here. If you want a colour-filled oasis that speaks volumes about you, then follow your heart.
A combination of purple, green and blue is not a feature of conventional colour schemes, but looks so free and easy in this eclectic bedroom. The colours play off each other against the aubergine wall, and the white lace gives a loose and natural touch.
More: How to Be Truly Confident With Colour
More: How to Be Truly Confident With Colour
STEP 4: Be adventurous with textures and patterns
This room has abundant textural contrasts that give it loads of personality. From the industrial ducting and warm exposed brick to the richly patterned Tibetan rug, satin bedcover, antique brass, parquetry timber and Tiffany lamp, it exudes character. A bedroom with a high ceiling like this one can support many elements without being overpowered.
This room has abundant textural contrasts that give it loads of personality. From the industrial ducting and warm exposed brick to the richly patterned Tibetan rug, satin bedcover, antique brass, parquetry timber and Tiffany lamp, it exudes character. A bedroom with a high ceiling like this one can support many elements without being overpowered.
There’s a knack to putting many patterns together so they interact rather than distract. The effect in this room is casual and unstudied. There is an underlying lacy motif in the fabrics and the subtle connection of earthy tones links the look, yet it still appears tossed together with natural flair.
More: Mix Master: How to Clash Prints and Patterns Like a Pro
More: Mix Master: How to Clash Prints and Patterns Like a Pro
STEP 5: Make your bedroom a personal creative space
Set aside a small spot for writing, sketching, designing or for the special artistic activity that floats your boho boat. Put your own creations – your art, your craft work, a poem, a painted chair, a piece of embroidery or dressmaking – in view to keep your creative juices flowing.
Read other ideas for unleashing your inner artist
Set aside a small spot for writing, sketching, designing or for the special artistic activity that floats your boho boat. Put your own creations – your art, your craft work, a poem, a painted chair, a piece of embroidery or dressmaking – in view to keep your creative juices flowing.
Read other ideas for unleashing your inner artist
STEP 6: Compose a beautiful bed for sleeping and lounging
Think of your bed as an artwork in itself. Put some thought into what would make you want to spend time on or in it. In this inviting bedroom, vibrant carpet shades are echoed in the generous pile of cushions and the rustic timber of the bed and cabinets provides textural interest. The modern ‘hand’ seat contrasts with traditional Moroccan furnishings and is a show-stopping place for tossing an Isadora Duncan-style scarf.
Think of your bed as an artwork in itself. Put some thought into what would make you want to spend time on or in it. In this inviting bedroom, vibrant carpet shades are echoed in the generous pile of cushions and the rustic timber of the bed and cabinets provides textural interest. The modern ‘hand’ seat contrasts with traditional Moroccan furnishings and is a show-stopping place for tossing an Isadora Duncan-style scarf.
True bohos have never thought inside the square, so they are unlikely to have a padded buttoned headboard that matches their sheets. The backdrop to this exotic bed is a colourful Suzani rug that lights up the room. Other ideas are a bamboo screen, beaded curtain, silk kimono, an heirloom quilt, fringed shawl or a length of vintage lace. Draping rather than hospital corners is the boho way.
STEP 7: Light up your boho bedroom – softly
Boho lighting is indirect, warm, flickering, filtered. Achieve this effect with filigree lanterns that hang to the floor, candles, coloured globes and antique and vintage lampshades that diffuse light.
Boho lighting is indirect, warm, flickering, filtered. Achieve this effect with filigree lanterns that hang to the floor, candles, coloured globes and antique and vintage lampshades that diffuse light.
STEP 8: Mix-and-don’t-match
Many vintage and antique finds don’t come in pairs, but who said bedside tables have to match? A timber cabinet and a round glass-topped table flank this bed.
Many vintage and antique finds don’t come in pairs, but who said bedside tables have to match? A timber cabinet and a round glass-topped table flank this bed.
This bedroom travels to the beat of its own drum, mixing an Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman with inlaid cabinets, filigree Moroccan lamps, modern striped rug and eclectic art.
STEP 9: Choose furniture that tells a story
Intriguing handpainted antique furniture adds a layer of unique character to this bedroom and brings its history with it.
Intriguing handpainted antique furniture adds a layer of unique character to this bedroom and brings its history with it.
Old furniture, like this wildly eccentric armoire, has ‘bohemian’ painted all over it!
Tell your own story on a revived piece.
STEP 10: Show and tell
Bohos don’t hide anything decorative away. It would be a shame to arrange this vivid bling collection tidily in a drawer. If you have unique trinkets and sentimental treasures, put them where they give you pleasure everyday.
More: 7 Artistic Ways to Display Jewellery
Bohos don’t hide anything decorative away. It would be a shame to arrange this vivid bling collection tidily in a drawer. If you have unique trinkets and sentimental treasures, put them where they give you pleasure everyday.
More: 7 Artistic Ways to Display Jewellery
The creative boho mind will find many ways to add colour and interest with unusual display ideas, such as adding a segmented wooden figure like the one hiding here.
STYLE TIP: Old dressmaker dummies are a quirky way to display jewellery, scarves, hats and fabrics, and can be painted and decorated – by you – to make a unique bedroom sculpture.
STYLE TIP: Old dressmaker dummies are a quirky way to display jewellery, scarves, hats and fabrics, and can be painted and decorated – by you – to make a unique bedroom sculpture.
The bohemian philosophy, perfectly expressed: ‘Life is beautiful. I accept everyone as they are. I am free.’
In the same way that there will never be another you, one thing is for sure: you will never see another bedroom quite like yours.
TELL US
Do you think bohemian style and shabby chic have things in common? What do you think is different about bohemian style? Let us know in the comments section.
MORE
What Really Is ‘Shabby Chic’ and How You Can Get the Look
Make Your Bed and Lie in It: 13 Creative DIY Bedheads
So Your Style Is…Eclectic
In the same way that there will never be another you, one thing is for sure: you will never see another bedroom quite like yours.
TELL US
Do you think bohemian style and shabby chic have things in common? What do you think is different about bohemian style? Let us know in the comments section.
MORE
What Really Is ‘Shabby Chic’ and How You Can Get the Look
Make Your Bed and Lie in It: 13 Creative DIY Bedheads
So Your Style Is…Eclectic
Bohos are not restricted by other people’s opinions. There are no trends in boho decor – forget Mid-century Modern, French Provincial, and all the design labels. Bohos are pickers and choosers who follow their own tastes. Boho is a state of mind rather than a ‘look’ – have you got the boho in you?