There’s more to the bohemian aesthetic than floral wallpapers And yet, it’s easy to curate a lively, free-spirited, hippie chic space at your home with just a few pieces.
Let’s face it, minimal Scandinavian elements and airy Hampton-inspired decor aren’t for everyone. People who want their spaces to have a warm, eclectic lived-in vibe have more ways to express their tastes, be it through vintage furniture, indoor foliage, statement pieces or something maximalist.
We asked Kolkata-based decor experts, Disha Bansal (of Home and Us) and plant stylist Vineeta Jain (of Kalee-bud), to help us curate a bohemian oasis at home.
Vintage Furniture
“Bohemian decor is about a hippie vibe and its popularity can be traced back to the ’70s,” says Disha Bansal, who owns Kolkata-based interior decorating studio Home and Us. Needless to say retro, period-inspired statement furniture (preferably with a low seating) is the quickest way to achieve this look. They also help balance clean, contemporary interpretations.
Go for a wooden, asymmetrical bookshelf if you’re looking for dramatic, stately pieces. Strip the roof and expose bare ceiling beams, add an archaic armchair, a cellar door or one-of-a-kind picks like this gorgeous side table by The House of Things which bears nuances of temple architecture.
Rustic Rugs
“Bohemian decor usually uses a layering of rugs. And the rugs are always different colours, sizes and textures,” says Bansal. You can choose a single floor rug, layer multiple pieces or use a monochrome rug like an accent piece, which pulls the room together. Like this eco-friendly number by The Rug Republic.
Throw Cushions
Throw cushions are the easiest way to add life to your living space or bedroom. Keeping multiple cushion covers on hand is a good idea, so you can interchange them as and when you want to break the monotony of the decor. Anita Lal’s label Good Earth has a line of hand-made cushions that re-imagine the bulb-shaped tulip motif, commonly used in Uzbek suzanis and Ottoman brocades.
“Throw cushions using textures from Mexico, Morocco, Paris and Turkey are trending big. You’ll also spot a lot of ikat, used with bright tribal designs. Stock some of them in plain shades matching the colour scheme of your room, and some complementing colours,” suggests Bansal.
Indoor Plants
Incorporating elements of nature is central to contemporary bohemian styling, so bring the room to life with ferns or hanging plants — they lend vibrancy to a room while also improving air quality.
Plant stylist Vineeta Jain who owns the brand Kalee-bud says, “Pothos, money plants, snake plants and philodendron make for good indoor plants because they require less attention and look really good. I would also suggest aglaonema as these plants come in different colours and can easily brighten up a room.”
If you want something quick and easy, place full-grown kiwi plants to create a green corner in your room!
“Indoor plants are now being used to play up the boho aesthetic. You’ll find a number of indoor plants in very unique planters, usually metal and wooden can jazz up the room. For instance, cacti are quirky and cool. A must, in my opinion, for a lively look,” Bansal weighs in.
Moody lighting
Ambient, understated lighting works best if you want a cosy vibe. Using vintage lamps and lanterns, candles and sunset lamps is a good idea. “Throw in some eccentric lighting. Use fairy lights in different ways to achieve this,” says Bansal. You can also go for discerning modern statements like this glass floor lamp.
Hippie/Sentimental Wall Hangings
Finally, assemble a number of items that are significant to you, be it family heirlooms, handmade gifts and souvenirs from travels. Make sure their colours complement your room. Add in tapestries, mirrors, vintage bottles, paintings, maps, antique haveli windows or polaroids — anything that makes the room you.
