Planning a colorful boho bedroom can be tricky with so many magazines and websites to draw inspiration from. And unfortunately, many of them give you way too much. If you don’t pay attention, you’re only a few decorations away from making the space look cluttered and chaotic.
This article will give you all the information and ideas you need to make your bedroom stand out and truly embrace the boho style without reading as chaos. Here’s what you need to know.
What Makes a Bedroom Colorful Boho
A colorful boho bedroom is mainly about choosing a dominant color that matches the style, as well as a palette that complements the design.
Forget about neutral tones everywhere you look, as that’s only a misconception. On the same note, ignoring the neutral element completely is also a bad idea. You need to get somewhere in the middle.
Boho Bedroom Colors: How to Pick a Palette That Works
The best way to find the perfect boho bedroom colors is to pick a dominant jewel color, such as deep ruby, sapphire or emerald. Mix it with two earthy shades, such as olive or terracotta. Place this combo on a neutral base, and you’ll have the perfect mix that feels both lively and restful.
Here are other useful ideas for a colorful boho bedroom:
- Dominant jewel colors as mentioned above, mixed with warm neutrals and dusty pink on a light neutral base for a soft, romantic touch.
- Deep burgundy, brown and aubergine on a neutral base for a moody bohemian aesthetic.
- Mustard yellow and teal for a retro appearance that screams energy and style.
Colorful Boho Bedding: Where Most of the Color Should Live
Apart from your walls, the bedding is the largest area in your bedroom, so it should hold plenty of color, hence the necessity of implementing your plan into the colorful boho bedding too. Besides, it’s quick to change, so you can adapt and adjust later anyway, especially when compared to your walls.
Layer a couple of colors in the fabrics and patterns too, but you can also implement small elements of decoration without making the room look like too much.
- A tasseled trim is a good idea.
- Mix different textures, but in the same directions.
- Kantha quilts are handy, so one or two will do.
Alternatives include block prints if you do go for this style, as well as ikat. Batik, kasuri or mudcloth work well if you’re looking for less common fabrics in a boho bedroom that add authentic cultural depth.
Layer Rugs, Pillows and Throws the Same Way You Would in the Living Room
Colorful boho bedroom ideas always start with the focal textile, whether the bedding or a rug in the middle of the room. All the other options should be complementary, rather than attempting to overcome it. Again, you do have a few options there.
As for putting things together, make sure patterns and lines go in the same direction. Layer patterns the right way, or you’ll have a headache looking at them. Even if the colors are right, you’ll still struggle with the patterns, so don’t overlook this aspect of visual scale and rhythm.
Headboard, Bed Frame and Furniture
Massive furniture has the potential to ruin the boho style, so stick to low-profile alternatives. A rattan bed frame makes a fresh and airy option, let alone platform bed frames, which maintain the same low profile. Such small details make rooms look larger, rather than chaotic.
In other words, maintaining a low profile is suitable for small bedrooms too.
On a different note, managing to keep the furniture low means you can go a bit further with other decorations, without overcrowding things.
Sure, low-profile furniture means you may need to compromise on under-bed storage a little, but you’ll probably be able to find storage somewhere else in your home.
Walls, Lighting and a Focal Point
Similar to any other room in your home, such as your living room, your bedroom also needs a focal point. Whether it’s a big piece of art, a gallery or statement wall, or a tapestry, anything goes well behind or above the bed frame.
This isn’t all about establishing a focal point, but also about having something for your eyes to land on once you get into the bedroom.
Lighting has a similar effect, as it showcases the focal point. As for maintaining the boho style, go for a woven pendant or perhaps lantern lighting. Either way, opt for warm light to complement the space, rather than cool it.
Plants That Add Color, Not Just Green
Green houseplants could add some color to your bedroom, but you can make it even better by focusing on specific houseplants that can even take over from textiles or patterns. Just like you’ve probably guessed already, you need these houseplants to feature matching colors that weave directly into your overall room scheme.
A colorful boho bedroom will do well with any of the following:
- Pink prayer plant
- Pink wandering dude
- Polka dot begonia
- Chinese evergreen
- Rex begonia
- Purple passion plant
- Variegated pothos
- Calathea
Small Space and Rental-Friendly Version
A colorful boho bedroom is a concept that can go in your own home, as well as rental homes, with the only difference being that you need to bring in removable pieces, rather than paint walls and furniture.
Just because you can’t repaint everything, it doesn’t mean that you can’t have your perfect boho bedroom. There are plenty of peel-and-stick decorations, some of them suitable for furniture as well. You can wrap things around, but also go for temporary swaps.
Colorful boho bedroom ideas often relate to implementing the right textiles and using wallpaper instead of paint. For example, you could get an accent wall to change the boho bedroom colors, but also remove it if you decide to leave.
Want more color palettes and layering examples like this? Follow us on Pinterest for new boho bedroom boards every week.
FAQs
Absolutely. If you think about it, you only need some paint or wallpaper, as well as decorative elements and fabrics. Of course, you can go deeper into every single piece of furniture and decoration, but you can always find something suitable for all budgets.
How do I keep a colorful boho bedroom from looking cluttered?
Create a plain, neutral base, then edit your décor, opt for smart storage and focus on textures. Keep things simple, so don’t overcrowd the bedroom with decorations. Leave some blank spaces to give your eyes a place to rest.
What are the best boho bedroom colors to start with?
The base can be cream, beige, and taupe, or a nurturing soft pink. Earthy accent colors include terracotta and rust, sage and olive green or mustard yellow and ochre. The dominant color is what makes a difference, such as burgundy, indigo, or deep forest green.
Do I need to paint the walls, or can bedding and decor alone get the look?
Colorful boho bedding is definitely a requirement. Assuming your walls aren’t designed in some crazy colors, you don’t always need to paint them or cover them in wallpaper. Your colorful boho bedroom can do with different bases. Any neutral base will do here.