How To Transform Your Home Into A Contemporary Bohemian Oasis

There are countless interior decor styles, and sub-variations, you can choose from when faced with an empty space to set up. From mid-century modern with its leather and wood pieces to a more industrial style overflowing with brick and metal. 

Choosing yours is a very personal process that requires getting to know yourself internally. Do you like bright colors or soft earth tones? Are you partial to marble, wood, or both? Does the idea of a space full of knick-knacks make you excited or stressed? While figuring out the answers to those questions might take some work, once you’ve discovered what types of spaces make you feel happy and comfortable, it’s a quick step to emulating that in your own home.

If Contemporary Bohemian decor turns out to be your preferred style, then you’ll find this guide incredibly handy. I’ll explain exactly what this style involves, and will also share some key elements a room should have to fall under this category.

What is Contemporary Bohemian decor style?

Good interior decor is a creative puzzle of specially chosen elements that aim to evoke a certain feeling when you walk into the room. When it comes to contemporary bohemian decor, that feeling is carefreeness and non-fussiness. Comfort and usability are at the forefront, and you won’t find endless cold or unusable pieces. 

While Bohemian decor in itself is defined as a combination of juxtaposed parts that toes the line of Eclectic decor, Contemporary Bohemian is characterized for having a more toned-down color palette.

What are Contemporary Bohemian key elements?

Texture mixing

One of the most important aspects of true Contemporary Bohemian style is artfully mixed textures. With more traditional decor the main goal is generally a uniform and classic feel to the space. When it comes to Bohemian decor, however, opposite textiles and patterns very much attract. The only main rule when picking out pieces is that they should fall within a specific color pallet. Other than that? Mix wood with metal, rattan with wool, and as many different patterns as you can get your hands on. 

Strategic color use

This is the secret that will make an eclectic Bohemian room feel intentional and harmonious, and not a disorganized heap of random pieces. Choose a monochromatic color pallet, and stick to it. Shades of grey, chalk, and cream tend to perfectly capture that contemporary mood. That said, don’t be afraid to step a little out of line and add pops of earthy tones such as brown or navy. Be strategic about that, however, since you can quickly veer into Eclectic or Rustic territory. 

Layering

A lived-in space, which is the goal with a Contemporary Bohemian room, is characterized by layering. While it might not be something you actively noticed before, a room that invites you to make use of it and offers a more grounding vibe will have various textural and color-based layers to it. That array of rugs on rugs? Intentional. The collection of throw pillows in sheepskin, wool, and linen? Also intentional. And layering isn’t only something you can do with different materials, you can also choose layered art pieces (see more about this below), and paint colors. The more, the better.  

Art selection

A bohemian person is someone who lives off the main rules of society and spends their day involved in the arts. So it would make sense that a bohemian room would have art as one of its key elements. With this decor style especially, what you choose to place on the walls is just as important as the actively functional pieces that will be sharing space. Tie that eclectic mix of patterns, textures, and layers together with paintings and sculptural pieces that pull from the other colors and materials already in the room. While abstract art will fit well in a space such as this one, pieces with nature-based elements like botanical or human aspects will also be great.