The Truth About “Boho” Decor (and Why Your Home Deserves Better)
There was a time when “boho decor” meant three things:
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macramé everything
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a suspicious amount of dreamcatchers; and
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the sort of fairy lights you used to have in your student bedroom
But you? You’re not here for dorm-room déjà vu.
You’re here because you love the natural textures of a handwoven fabric. The soft hues of terracotta under sunlight. The way a basket handmade by an artisan collective, or a reclaimed wood bench doesn’t just sit pretty, it tells a story. One you can share over and over again.
You’re here for real boho style home decor - design-forward, lived-in, and layered with purpose. Not Instagram clichés.
And luckily, we’re here for that too.
Why Boho Chic Interior Design Is Still A Thing in 2025
In an era of beige minimalism and IKEA fatigue, boho chic interior design offers something wildly refreshing: warmth, soul, and self-expression.
Done right, it’s both sensual and structured - a quiet rebellion against mass production, without veering into absolute chaos. It’s why so many of us are moving away from clinical white interiors that evoke the uneasy feel of hospitals, to boho style interior spaces that feel more like home.
Here’s the shift we’re seeing:
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From Scandi white minimalism to bohemian textures
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From monochrome to muted clay, ochre, olive, and charcoal.
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From fast furniture to artisan-made essentials that last a lifetime.
What Exactly Is Boho Style Interior Decorating?
Think of boho style interior decorating as your home’s permission slip to be both expressive and intentional.
It borrows from global influences - Moroccan rugs, Indian block prints, Mexican pottery - but doesn’t copy-paste or appropriate. Instead, it curates in a considered way.
The best boho interior design style combines:
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Natural textures (linen, sisal, clay, wood)
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Earthy colours (rust, sage, mustard)
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Vintage, secondhand or hand-me-down furniture
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Artisan-made objects with story and substance
Maybe you're sitting thinking 'how do I inject some colour into this?’. Well you could try an indigo-dyed throw or a carved mango wood console. But the vibe should always feel curated, not gimmicky.
How to Create Boho Style Home Decor That Doesn’t Feel Dated
You’ve probably Googled boho chic home decor before and been met with images that look like a music festival from 2010 exploded indoors. Too much fringe. Too many tassels.
Here’s how to keep it modern:
1. Choose Function First, Then Layer
Start with key furniture pieces like your bed, sofa, dining table, and keep the shapes clean. Let your bohemian chic interior design details come from accents: planters, textiles, baskets.
2. Go Natural with Materials
Swap plastic storage for boho chic style home decor made from raw, earthy materials: sisal, seagrass, jute. Our artisan woven baskets are the ideal stylish storage (and yes, they're made by hand in Rwanda).
3. Curate, Don’t Clutter
One standout vintage mirror > ten trinkets. Pick intentional pieces with meaning. A single handcrafted ceramic bowl can hold keys and memories.
4. Embrace Colour, but Sparingly
Not every boho room needs a rainbow. A rich rust throw or a dusty green cushion is enough to break the beige without ruining the vibe.
The Difference Between Boho Chic and Bohemian Interior Decor
Let’s clear something up.
“Boho chic interior design” is the refined cousin of bohemian interior decor. One is more Coachella back in 2018, the other is more Comporta (check this Gestalten book out for a lesson in the Mediterranean aesthetic). Both are about freedom, expression, and layering. But one is curated, the other can feel… chaotic.
How to know the difference:
Boho Chic
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Textures - Refined (sisal, linen, clay)
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Colour palette - Earthy and neutral-led
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Mood - Calm, grounded
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Storage - Considered & functional
Bohemian
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Textures - Mixed (velvet, sequins, wool)
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Colour palette - Bright, often clashing
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Mood - Eclectic, often maximalist
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Storage - Often overlooked
We’re biased, but we love boho chic.
Where Artisan Craft Meets Boho Interior Design
At The Artisan Lab, our take on boho interior design begins with the maker. A sisal woven basket is not just a basket. It’s hours of hand-weaving, passed down through generations. It’s community upliftment. It’s an antidote to soulless plastic storage bins from Amazon.
So when you bring boho chic interior design style into your home, you’re combining intentional aesthetics with:
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Who made your items
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What they’re made from
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Why they matter
And yes, they can still hold your laundry or spare cables. Because real boho is both beautiful and functional.
Our Favourite Boho Chic Storage Ideas
Need a place for throws, towels, toys, or your collection of unread Monocle issues?
Here’s how we suggest styling boho style interior spaces with artisan-made storage:
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Living Room: A pair of woven baskets next to the sofa - one for blankets, one for magazines (we love this one).
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Bathroom: A small basket for toilet roll and a larger one with a lid for towels or dirty laundry (plastic-free and pretty).
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Bedroom: Use low-profile woven trays on your nightstand for books, candles, jewellery and essentials.
Make It Yours: Blending Boho Chic With Your Style
Don’t want a full-blown boho look in your home? That’s okay.
Boho blends beautifully with other design aesthetics. Here’s how to mix it in:
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Mediterranean x Boho: Think terracotta ceramics, soft linen and a splash of azure
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Japandi x Boho: Keep the clean lines, add in natural, organic textures and clay tones.
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Scandi x Boho: Layer in soft rugs, plant pots, and an indigo throw over your neutral palette.
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Modern x Boho: Pair sleek furniture with woven storage baskets and artisan ceramics.
Boho style home decor doesn’t need a whole overhaul and shift in how you live. It invites more soul and storytelling into the one you already live.
Final Thoughts: Boho Isn’t Just A Nostalgic Trend
If your version of boho still lives in 2009 Coachella, it’s time for an upgrade. Boho isn’t fringe jackets and incense anymore; it’s conscious, collected, and beautifully curated spaces.
Boho chic home decor today is:
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Grown-up
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Global
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Grounded in artisan craft
So whether you're decorating your first flat or layering stories into your forever home, there’s always room for a little more soul.
Explore more:
FAQs
What’s the difference between boho and boho chic?
Boho chic is a more curated, design-forward evolution of classic bohemian decor. Think less chaos, more calm.
Can I mix boho style with minimalism?
Absolutely. In fact, the best boho spaces often start with a minimalist base, and then layers in texture and story.
Where can I find authentic artisan-made boho decor?
Start with brands that are transparent about who makes their products. At The Artisan Lab, every piece is handmade by our artisan partners in Rwanda and beyond.
