bo·he·mi·an /bōˈhēmēən/ (noun) a socially unconventional person, especially one who is involved in the arts.

Bohemian or Boho decorating is a style of decorating favored by those who want to create spaces that celebrate life, culture and an assortment of unusual and beautiful items from around the world.  Boho decorating is inspired by those who choose to live a very unconventional life, such as career travelers, bold and daring actors and actresses or avant-garde writers.

So how can you capture the Boho design flair when appointing your own home or office? Evoking the unique, funky, international feel may be easier than you think.  When many people think Boho, they may picture a plethora of rattan, macrame’, brightly-colored pillows and vividly-hued textiles.  But today’s Boho decorating has a little bit of a modern twist.  Achieve this fresh and unique look by remembering a few simple steps:

Use leather: A classic, solid leather piece is a great additional any space, but in a Boho-focused room, it provides an excellent, organic foundation for fringed pillows, textured throws and whatever assortment of colors you choose to highlight in your space.

Include modern furniture: A funky, contemporary coffee table or a dynamic, fashionable lamp can be excellent additions when creating a unique Boho space.  Mixing colors, textures and time periods creates a unique space that is very personalized.

Limit your color palette: While previously-designed Boho spaces featured a riot of color in every shade of the rainbow, today’s modern Boho look features a little more restraint.  Tighten up your preferred color palette a bit and include shades from within the same family or complementary hues to create a sense of calm and tranquility while highlighting your funky finds in each space you decorate. This creates a sleeker look and creates a more pulled-together vibe in your space.

Remember contrast: Pair a bold floor covering with simple wall paint.  Pair a neutral chair with a dramatically patterned sofa. Remember that Boho doesn’t mean that every item contains wild patterns or a riot of color.  Intention should still be used in selecting items, so the space does not convey chaos or overwhelm.

Embrace antiques: Don’t be afraid to include antiques or older items when decorating your space.  These treasures often convey rich history and awe-inspiring journeys to other parts of the world.  Allow these unique pieces to tell their story as you thoughtfully combine them with never items to create a matchless look.

Be bold: Do you love a rug with a giant fruit pattern?  Do you adore a wallpaper featuring giant flamingos? Don’t be afraid to embrace the unexpected, but be sure to balance bold moves with less intimidating choices in other parts of the room to allow each piece and pattern to shine.

Highlight storage: What is more Boho than a richly-textured basket?  Include baskets, bins, boxes and other textured storage items when creating a Boho-themed space in any room.  Storage doesn’t have to be only utilitarian.  Beautiful storage containers can act as works of art while adding style to the room, too.

Mix and match: Don’t be afraid to mix and match color schemes, textures, time periods and more when crafting a Boho-inspired space that is beautiful and meaningful to you.  Combining family treasures with new purchases and artisan-crafted décor will create a space that is unlike any other.  Don’t forget to carefully blend elements, to avoid overwhelming your spaces.

Today’s Boho design trend features a bit of a modern twist.  Carefully-curated colors and textures combine with thoughtfully-source furniture pieces and family heirlooms to create spaces that are unique, beautiful and useful.  Discover everything you need to create a beautiful, modern Boho space in your home, office or elsewhere, as well as a carefully-curated assortment of beautiful and lavish luxury home decor at The Emperor’s Lane, your road to luxury.