Interiors

June 16, 2025 – Published in Design & Decor Spring-Summer 2022 issue

The Whimsical Essence of Bohemian Decor

Words Angelique Cutajar Cefai

One of the most visually striking styles in home decor is Bohemian design: a carefree, unconventional mode of decorating one’s space. Strongly connected to hippie fashion, Boho decor unleashes colour, texture, and pattern in an aesthetic and relaxed way.

Mixing and matching is a major feature in Bohemian design. The materials used are basic, cosy fabrics: burlap, fringes, crochet, and macramé, combined with higher quality silks and chenille. The furniture is ethnic, and the lighting decidedly ambient. You can walk into any home store these days and find elements—or even an entire section—devoted to Bohemian-style decor.

Boho design is generally inspired by those who lead free-spirited, norm-defying lives.

Besides seasoned travellers and creatives, this style is particularly ideal for teenagers. It reflects a youth’s spontaneous way of thinking and what inspires them on a daily basis. Bohemian elements, in fact, create rooms that reflect the beliefs, habits, and feelings of the people who occupy them.

People who spend time travelling tend to appreciate different cultures and take inspiration from their trips abroad, yielding an eclectic style. The younger generations veer away from conservative interiors, so the Boho approach is just what they are after.

This bedroom was decorated with a teenager in mind, making it her dream room.

Bright colours and pleasant textures are perfect for designing modern interiors where people have fun and feel at ease. The bed tends to be plush and comfortable; a clear invitation to sit back and sink into it. Light wood tones, alongside other neutrals in interiors, could not be more relevant to the latest trends in materials, which create a light, ethereal atmosphere. This is reflected in the jute fibres of the towel basket, the woven dreamcatcher, and the pink blush horizontal stripes of the window blinds. The colourful button handles on the dresser and the glittery jewel boxes complete the look.

This technological age is pushing furniture and lighting trends towards more natural elements. We are living hurried lives, overshadowed by the cold detachment generated by advanced technology. Bohemian vibes offset this by uplifting us with warm colours and adding a loose form of leisure to our daily lives. This may be the perfect storm for a fresh aesthetic with a relaxed feel for our homes and bodies.

If we are longing for connection to our personal freedom and craving nature in our everyday life, this could absolutely influence the type of home decor selected.

It has been proven that indoor plants at home and in businesses boost our mood and improve air quality. Additionally, plants facilitate healing by reducing stress and anxiety. This is especially important during these unsettling times of Covid-19.

The next generation is continuing to embrace a beachy, hippie style, no matter what their local landscape represents. People are spending more time indoors because of the pandemic, and they want their space to help them relax and de-stress. With this recent surge in domestication, a Bohemian look has emerged, and it is leading the trends by a mile.

Design fads are constantly being recycled. Right now, the combination of old and new styles is being explored and is catching on fast. Plants, natural fibres, fringes and other Boho materials have saturated contemporary markets. It seems clear that consumers continue to be attracted to items that bring them closer to nature, as demonstrated in the rattan plant holders and other creative accessories.

Bohemian style is facing a growing interest—and is leaving a lasting impression.

It is not only the representation of a wide range of cultures, but it is also a fusion of different iconic fashion eras. This, combined with its lighthearted and laid-back touch, surely means Bohemian interiors are the way forward when it comes to decorating your home.