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What Is Bohemian Style?
Bohemian style originated in 70s hippie culture but has since expanded beyond that to represent a free-spirited, artistic design style which celebrates nature. Though there are no hard and fast rules, boho interiors are typically filled with miss-matched furniture, eclectic belongings, warm tones and a plethora of patterns!
One thing is certain however: boho decor means plants - and lots of them! To create that care-free, wild look, a house full of leafy friends is the way to go. But how do you go about styling them? This article will take you through all the different ways you use plants to create that boho look.
Embrace The Mess!
The first thing to note is that the boho style is not neat and refrained.
To really achieve that miss-mash of colours and textures we associate with bohemian decor, you’re going to want a lot of different kinds of plants placed in a lot for different areas of your house.
You may consider placing a big Upright Elephant Ear or Silver Sword Philodendron that reaches over to tickle your shoulder whilst you’re reading on the sofa. Then for contrast, place a line of mini succulents across a windowsill or mantlepiece.
In terms of colours, greens are a given. But you can also get plants with yellow, such as the Philodendron Golden Goddess, and red, such as the Calathea Rattlesnake or Philodendron Imperial Red. There are also beautiful multicoloured options such as the Calathea ‘Triostar’.
Another way to create this textured, busy look is to bunch together a lot of your plants to create a mini jungle in one corner of your living or bedroom. Luckily, plenty of houseplants are from more tropical regions and love, love, love humidity so this is not just a feast for the eyes but great for growth too.
Place Your Plants At Multiple Levels -
Right, now you have all these plants, where to put them?
If your floor is getting a little full, not to worry - take to the air instead! By placing your plants at multiple levels in your house, you not only free up some floor space but add visual interest at every eye line. Place a bonsai on a bookcase or a Lipstick Plant cascading down from a kitchen shelf.
One thing you can do to instantly make your place look more bohemian is invest in a few hanging pots. This living wall decor makes a great bohemian alternative to a painting or print and is much cheaper too! Which brings us onto…
Trailing Plants! -
Hanging pots work great with most plants, but are particularly aesthetically pleasing when coupled with any trailing plants, Golden Pothos, Sweetheart Plants and Spider Plants are firm favourites for good reason but you can also try a String of Hearts for their beautiful tangle of heart-shaped leaves.
Due to the wildness of their growth, trailing plants work really well with bohemian style interiors. Many such as Devil’s Ivy are also famously hard to kill so are an incredibly easy way to boho up the place.
However, if you are patient and want a more directed growth, use wire to shape the direction your ivy travels in. Trailing plants also look great surrounded by fairy lights - another boho decor staple.
Go for Unusual, Unique and Interesting Looking Plants
Some plants are classics, and for good reason. As mentioned, you’ll need a bunch of them, and having a mishmash of all styles and plants is part of the bohemian attitude.
However, some plants just really nail that boho vibe! Look for those that feel exotic, jungly and have unique markings. Here are a few recommendations for those particularly bohemian plants:
For an exotic feel
- Snake Plants
- Cacti
- yukka
Big and tropical
Beautiful and unusual markings
- Calatheas
- Spotted Begonias
- Variegated varieties of plants such as the Variegated Swiss Cheese Plant and the marbled Devil’s Ivy.
Work With The Light
As you will have plenty of plants, you’ll need to figure out the best place for each of them. Not all of them can get that prime spot next to your south facing window after all!
Identify which are your sun lovers and place them near the window. These would be plants such as the Banyan Tree, Orange Tree or a Spiral Cactus. However, if they require indirect light, you may want to put a sheer curtain over your sunniest window - very boho!
If you are not blessed with the sunniest abode, not to fear - many plants love shadier conditions too. Check out our guide here!
Don’t Forget The Boho Decor!
The great thing about boho style is that there’s no need to match all your decor.
Therefore, feel free to unleash your creativity when it comes to picking plant pots. Warm tones and textures are key and the woven basket is a staple. But adding a few cool toned jewel-like ceramics will create contrast.
Patterns are to be encouraged and when going for a plain colour, those with texture like cement pots are a great option.
The beauty of bohemian you can make it 100% your own. Your personal taste is the main attraction, and your beautiful plant collection will feature centre stage. Using the tips in this article, you should now have the confidence to embrace your wild side when it comes to decorating. Go forth and boho-ify!
