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Boho chic: the free-spirited interior style

A home that's as unique as you are, that's what boho chic is all about. This highly creative way of decorating shows off your personality and encourages a more relaxed way of living. It's all about being free, mixing cultures, and perfecting that lovely handmade look. Come and explore the different sides of boho chic.

A BJÖRKSNÄS bed frame on an open space, with a side table and plants on the background.
A BJÖRKSNÄS bed frame on an open space, with a side table and plants on the background.

From bohemian to boho chic: how free spirits helped shape a new style

The word "bohemian" has quite a story behind it, dating all the way back to the 1700s. It started as a French pejorative term for Roma people from Bohemia, but then artists and thinkers gradually turned it into their own movement. They lived freely and creatively, often without much money - but always true to themselves. More recently, the hippies of the 60s and 70s gave boho chic a fresh twist. That's why you still see things like batik, fringes and more global influences in boho style today - and why some people refer to it as hippy style.

Love personal touches and clever style blending? Boho chic is perfect for that. Take the boho-scandi mix - it effortlessly combines hippy vibes with the natural feel of Nordic design. But many other styles work well alongside the free-spirited bohemian look too. Want to discover more? Explore all of the different ideas and options here:

Free-flowing spaces in hippy boho chic

Since mixing styles, eras and cultures works so well with boho interiors, you can really be creative with your design. Cosiness, personality and natural elements are key to the boho style. Open-plan spaces with smooth transitions - even between living and sleeping areas - fit right in. The whole look is about being relaxed and informal, rather than neat and symmetrical.

A black/Tibbleby beige/grey PERSBOL armchair
Cosy boho chic combines comfortable wicker chairs with earthy tones and plants. A glass cabinet in the background is filled with various decorations and collector's items.
A jaguar SYMFONISK panel for picture frame speaker
A handmade/grey black TANNISBY rug, flatwoven in the living room
Set accents with colourful cushions in ethnic style or sofas with orange covers and create your very own boho chic home.

Mix colours & patterns: live it up in boho style

In boho style, almost anything goes - but here's how to make your home decor look like it all belongs together. Start with earthy colours like brown, green and grey to create a neutral base. This then gives you plenty of room to add bold splashes of purple, orange or blue. Once you've got your basic colour scheme sorted, go wild with patterns and prints. Feel free to bring in styles from all over the world, such as ikat, paisley or suzani patterns.

Boho materials: natural, cosy and unique

From leather, linen and cotton to metal, wood and natural fibres - you've got a ton of creative choices when it comes to materials for boho chic. If you're initially feeling a bit lost, start by focusing on materials that come from nature. This way, you can create a cohesive look in your home, even with a mix of different furnishings.

A white LERSTA floor/reading lamp
A light pink IDALINNEA cushion cover

Furniture with added character: your boho style, your story

From the iconic rattan peacock chair to vintage-look chests made of rattan or wood that double as side tables and useful storage, boho-style furniture can be both simple and eye-catching. Sustainable options such as vintage or second-hand pieces are always a hit here. This applies to relaxed low seating too, with options ranging from floor cushions to hanging chairs and cosy sofas. While history and character play a role, the two most important things are that you love the furniture and that it feels comfortable.

Blonde wood and black painted boho deco style armchairs, with grey seat cushions in a room with beige walls and poured concrete floor.
Close-up of beige-and-navy ticking stripe cushion and cream throw on rattan bench with storage.

Boho-style decor and accessories: personal, handmade, meaningful

Your checklist for boho decorations is short yet endless: anything playful fits well with the hippie style. This includes homemade textures such as macramé, fringes or crochet work, which you might find on oriental rugs or wall hangings. Plants, feathers or shells make perfect boho accessories and are ideal as natural additions to your interior. A final point to consider is to add meaning: handcrafted objects, travel souvenirs, family heirlooms or homemade items help personalise your space and create a warm, cosy homely feeling.

Three round GILLSTAD wall decorations made from sustainable fibers hang on a cream-colored wall.
A LUBBAN coffee table with a decorative glass vase with spikes.

Boho deco style living room – harmonious and comfortable

On a pale, neutral base, geometric patterns and rich materials and tones combine and contrast. As every home’s central meeting space, the boho deco style living room is about harmony and comfort, character and storytelling. Soft in its textiles and lighting, solid in its woods and furniture style, it’s an inviting space where everyone feels welcome.

Woven rattan pendant lamp shade showing boho deco style lighting.
Rustic living room with cream sofa and striped scatter cushions, rattan bench with storage and basket pendant lamps above.

Boho deco style bathroom – a grounding sanctuary

Earthy materials, low-key neutrals and glowy lighting meet in the boho deco style bathroom. It’s a harmonious, nostalgic sanctuary for bathing and grooming that’s supported by sisal mats, beige textiles and non-floral plants.

Cream tiled bathroom with black storage stool under a window with grasses in rippled glass vase.
Boho deco style bathroom with grey sink unit and round bathroom mirror with LED wall lamps above.

Boho deco style kitchen – open yet orderly

The boho deco style kitchen’s calm, inviting feeling comes from its calm, inviting colours. And from everything having its place – and being in easy reach. Loading a kitchen trolley with essential ingredients stored in glass jars and bottles brings it all close to the kitchen workspace, without creating clutter. Open shelving is also kept free of visual noise, with small-scale basketry and storage in light woods such as rattan.

Corner of pale blue boho deco style kitchen with open shelving holding storage baskets, cookbooks and water jugs above.
Black metal kitchen trolley with kitchen utensils, glass storage jars and oil bottles.

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Boho chic in every room: ideas for your creative home

The boho style suits any room and adapts wonderfully, whatever your personal preferences. Find inspiration and ideas for your spaces here: as a creative interior design style, the hippy look is absolutely perfect for children and teenagers. To create a boho children's room, combine soft and bold colours with playful patterns such as rainbows or stars. Hang garlands or lamps made of natural fibres above durable wooden furniture to create a fairytale or jungle theme. Boho teenage bedrooms can look extra cosy by using trendy indirect lights or fairy lights. A comfortable bed with plenty of cushions complements this nicely. Here’s a tip: second-hand furniture can easily be personalised with just a few simple steps - for example, by adding a lick of paint and new handles or knobs. Get crafty and exotic on your boho-style patio too - from lush planting and colourful outdoor rugs to oriental lanterns and storm lights. While enjoying the added ambience, cosy up with your loved ones in hanging chairs or on mats. Sounds magical, doesn't it? It's no wonder the boho style is a popular theme for one of life's most beautiful occasions: the boho wedding - complete with a lace dress, wild flowers and candlelight.  

Boho at a glance: the best of everything, just for you

What do you fancy? Once you've answered this question, you can creatively and freely combine almost any styles, elements and ideas. Boho chic is that simple. If you're still unsure, take another look through the above top tips on interior design, colours, shapes, materials and furniture. Got more questions or need professional guidance? Our Interior Design Service is here to help and advise you.