Sometimes in decorating, you just need to stop worrying about what goes with what and go with the flow, follow your instincts and choose patterns, colors and furniture that make you happy – and the Bohemian bedroom is amongst the most relaxed of bedroom ideas. However, while this look might appear spontaneous, there’s actually a simple formula behind the freedom – and we’ll help you get it right with inspiring pictures and lots of useful advice, below.
Bohemian bedroom ideas
Whether your style is laid back or elegant, modern or traditional, there’s a Bohemian bedroom to suit – because this style is so eclectic, you really can draw from a myriad of inspirations.
1. Go for a retro look
Fulfil your Bohemian bedroom dreams with appliqué flowers, eiderdown quilting, woven wicker and a feature canopy cocoon. Layering textures is the key to creating a blissful slumber retreat. In this main bedroom, a beautifully tactile headboard idea contrasts with soft, slubby bedlinen and luxurious velvet for a sensorial romance, united in quality and comfort factor. Gentle, chalky shades spread calm, coaxed by a timeless ticking stripe for a classic lift. Be sure to choose the best mattress and pepper with generous scatter cushions for nestle-in appeal.
2. Create a bohemian bedroom with florals galore
A dense floral wallcovering sets the mood in this romantic bedroom. With a bold all-over pattern like this, it can be a good idea to break it up and tone things down with plainer blocks of color in between, such as here with the dressing table, curtains, sofa and mirror. The rug continues the floral theme, again set against a plain carpet. The unpatterned elements allow all the florals to sing out. Decorative touches, such as the beautiful table lamp, mirror and bedroom chandelier, add to the romance.
3. Let Indian textiles be your bedroom’s inspiration
Mimosa yellows and vibrant greens form the palette for this Rajasthan-inspired bedroom, with a canopy adorned with trims and fringing for those extra decorative touches. Wonderful if you are looking for master bedroom ideas, this space is inspired by bedrooms in grand palaces, the bed made for daydreaming away from the bustle and noise of the world outside.
4. Give a Bohemian bedroom a country twist
Bohemian bedrooms are all about eclectic style, so while you might favor a country feel, adding soft furnishings and accessories with clashing styles and unusual colors can work wonders. Here, the cute-appeal is dialled down by the gray striped bedding, while even the pinks and oranges have that washed-out look that’s so perfect for a laid-back space.
5. Display basketwork and tie dye - elegantly
With just a few accessories, you can give a bedroom a Bohemian look. Here, the country-style headboard gives this bedroom a look that bridges rustic and Bohemian styles effortlessly, bringing character that’s sophisticated rather than themed-looking. ‘Any room that has a defined “theme” is destined to date, bore or fail,’ says Homes & Gardens’ Editor in Chief, Lucy Searle. ‘However, add a touch of one style to another like this and you’ll create an eclectic look that’s far more interesting and layered. The key is in choosing authentic materials and designs for the accessories you choose.’
6. Pick a feature wallpaper to set the Boho scene
Wallpaper is an important part of a Bohemian bedroom because these schemes are often pattern-filled. When choosing from a wide range of wallpaper ideas, it’s best to look for patterns with curves, uneven lines or botanicals in them – anything too formal or graphic will steer the scheme away from the Boho look. Ramp up the Boho feel with shapely, playful accessories in bright, contrasting tones.
7. Pick a bold color clash
The bedroom color ideas we seek are generally calming, but with Bohemian bedroom ideas, you can afford to go for a bolder look, especially in children’s or guest bedrooms, where a color clash can take on a fun look. In this shared bedroom idea, the green makes for a soothing, quite traditional backdrop, while the red, which purposefully matches the green’s tones, and the colorful bedlinen, combine to create warming accent shades that draw attention to the beautiful curves of the – again – traditional bobbin furniture.
8. Create a Bohemian bedroom with an exotic mural
If you’re looking for beautiful bedroom wall decor ideas, a mural is one of the key Bohemian bedroom ideas we like to use to create an effortlessly exotic look. This one, which hints at faraway shores, is cleverly contrasted with the very contemporary curves and finish of the bedside lamp. Meanwhile plainer – but complementary – bedlinen, and the neutral flooring and window treatment blend into the background to provide rich layers of color and texture that allow the two main features of the room to shine.
9. Mix pattern styles and sizes
If you have been searching for Bohemian bedroom ideas for a while, you’ll no doubt be aware that pattern clashing is part of the look. However, if you want your sleep space to feel calming, keeping to a simple color scheme is a must. Here, four vastly different patterns – in the rug, armchair, stool and drapes – combine beautifully because they are chosen somewhat rigidly for their matching colors, while the neutral tone of the walls acts as the perfect backdrop to show them off.
10. Go for an all-out Bohemian bedroom
Folksy prints, natural textures and pom-pom trims – mix them together for a relaxed modern Ibiza vibe. Here, a chic wicker bed oozes summer style with a fun injection of pom-pom accessories, macramé and rattan furniture.
11. Add quirky design details
Keep the space calm. You know how it works: color and pattern need calming with lots of off-white or beige. Introduce made-you-look details by making the room personal. Add eccentric touches, an eye-catching lamp, wall murals, quirky artwork and even paint effects. In this kid’s room idea, the clash of fabrics in complementing tones creates a Bohemian bedroom that still feels elegant.
12. Give your bedroom an element of boho Balearic style
This year’s must-have, the hanging cocoon chair combines with a woven suede ottoman for all-out texture. Swap plants for pampas grass, as shown here, giving a softer, more boho feel. Grasses demand little and yet add excitement to any space.
13. Provide textural interest
Whether you are looking for inspiration for your own space or guest bedroom ideas with more of an inviting character than is usual, the secret is to add texture. From seagrass and bamboo to rattan and cane, natural woven textures are ideal for bringing bohemian interiors to life. Here, woven wallpaper, an upholstered headboard and layered bed linen provide textural interest.
14. Bring the outside in with unexpected finishes
Lush, burnished boho… That’s the vibe in this urban oasis. We particularly love the make-do-meets-luxe aesthetic. In this dark bedroom, carefully chosen flea-market finds and upcycled pieces look chic, not cheap, while the ubiquitous charcoal color scheme is reinvented with touches of green, gold and natural wood.
15. Clash pattern and color
Bedroom trends come and go, but pretty, floral bedrooms never date. In this space, the Boho look has been created by mingling florals with earthy hues, block-prints and batik patterns on globally-inspired textiles. Dress your bed with an assortment of layered throws and scatter cushions and don’t be afraid to ‘pattern clash’ – this adds character and eclectic appeal with homespun familiarity. A captivating, faded floral wallpaper feature continues the exotic journey, experimenting with scale and palette, whilst vintage inspired pieces, such as the French antique cane headboard and burnished brass lamp, add welcoming charm with timeworn finishes.
16. Tone down with a single color palette
Luxurious linen, intricate inlay, curvaceous patterns: layers of rich texture create an inviting yet muted boho retreat. The confined color palette keeps the look serene rather than chaotic.
17. Combine verdant greens and deep blues
A color palette of deep denim blues and earthy greens makes for a striking boho bedroom. A slubby linen headboard creates a strong backdrop for the patterns on the bedlinen. Layer with the softest washed linens and add a splash of contrasting color in furnishings to keep the look contemporary.
18. Introduce a sense of fun and frivolity
This space, designed by interior designer Matthew Williamson (opens in new tab), is a true example of bohemian chic – just the right side of eccentric to make the space funky, not fusty. In this luxury bedroom, ornate touches, such as an ostrich feather lamp, add ‘grandeur and decadence, which I like to throw in here and there’, says Matthew.
How do I decorate my bedroom in a boho style?
‘The modern bohemian bedroom is a place where creativity, individuality, and a wild mix of color and pattern meet in a contemporary environment,’ says Emily Henson, author of Bohemian Modern (opens in new tab). ‘Whitewashed walls and polished concrete are brought to life by vibrant Moroccan rugs and wall hangings; a cozy chair made from wicker suspended from the ceiling, and a veritable jungle of house plants – clustered in pots, hanging from the ceiling or even growing on the walls.’
What is a boho style bedroom?
With many years of trend-spotting behind us, we know a classic look when we see one. This laid-back aesthetic is all about natural materials and tactile textures that create a soft palette of warm neutrals. ‘The style certainly gives a nod to ’70s chic, with its use of shagpile rugs, Swiss cheese plants, and macramé, but it stands firmly in the present day by boldly contrasting those elements with sleek modern art on the walls and polished surfaces,’ says Emily Henson.
