Last Updated on April 1, 2024 by Plantiful Interiors
Bohemian decor and aesthetics have been popular for decades.
No matter what kind of decorating budget you are working with, it is fairly simple to throw together a boho living room space that is affordable to set up but still manages to look sophisticated and deliberately thrown together.
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The best thing about a bohemian decorating style is that it is geared toward budget items and an eclectic decorating sense, so you can mix and match as you please.
This allows you to come up with the perfect look at just the right price.
What is the Bohemian Aesthetic?
The hippie movement of the 1960s originally inspired bohemian style, and one of the design elements that hippies brought to the table (along with their love for cheap, brightly colored textiles and beaded curtains) was their love for nature and the beauty of living things.
In modern bohemian style, this can be interpreted in a living room space by adding plenty of vibrant houseplants and when it comes to bohemian style, the more, the merrier!
Boho living rooms can come together well on a budget by choosing a theme before you start decorating, incorporating a lot of natural elements such as houseplants, and trying to source some of your furniture or accent pieces from vintage vendors.
Thrift stores and yard sales are also a great place to pick up bohemian living room decor on a budget.
Choosing a Bohemian Theme on a Budget
There are a few different ways that you can carry a bohemian decorating scheme throughout your living room.
Before you even begin to start purchasing items, you need to consider these bohemian design aspects:
1. Colorul Accents
Infuse your living room with vibrant colors to capture the Boho spirit.
Consider adding colorful accent pillows, rugs, and artwork to create a lively and energetic atmosphere.
Selecting colors for your living room is one way to carry a bohemian theme across the room in many different fabrics or accessories.
This leaves you open to choose less expensive accent pieces that still manage to look cohesive.
2. Mix and Match Textures
Bohemian design is defined by layering many different textures to form a cozy and somewhat scattered look.
Embrace the Boho aesthetic by mixing and matching different textures.
Think rattan furniture, macramé wall hangings, and cozy knit throws to create a cozy and inviting space.
Including textured accessories such as tassels, beads, feathers, macrame yarn, and bamboo or metal can create multicolored and interesting focal points throughout the room.
Each of these items is also a pleasure to touch.
Cheap window treatments such as tapestries and beaded curtains are also popular in bohemian decor.
3. Patterns
Another defining aspect of the bohemian design is patterns.
Adding many different patterns can be a way to help the eye jump around the living room, making for a lively and interesting atmosphere.
It does not matter if patterns clash in a bohemian decorating scheme but choosing a few anchor colors (two or three) can help the room look more put-together.
4. Natural and Unnatural Elements
Since the bohemian look is eclectic, it can be a good idea to layer both natural and unnatural design elements together, such as brass candlesticks and a hanging vine houseplant.
Bring the outdoors in by incorporating natural elements like wood, rattan, and jute into your décor.
These organic materials add warmth and texture to your space.
The contrast between these two inexpensive elements helps to give bohemian decor its funky between-eras style.
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5. Layering
Layering is a mainstay of bohemian design, and it is not uncommon for bohemian rooms to look kind of cluttered next to simpler contemporary designs.
Create a cozy and eclectic look by layering rugs in your living room.
Mix and match different patterns and textures to add depth and visual interest to your space.
You would be amazed at how comfortable a room can feel once you have thrown a series of layered rugs across the floor or hung some beads over a wall tapestry.
Layering can be done gradually, too, so new design elements can be purchased one at a time to stay within budget.
6. Vintage
One of my favorite ways to decorate on a budget is by scouring thrift stores for unique pieces.
Check Thrift Stores for vintage rugs, colorful throw pillows, and eclectic wall art to create a Boho vibe in your living room.
Incorporate vintage finds, such as antique mirrors, eclectic vases, and retro lamps, to add a touch of nostalgia to your Boho living room.
Going after vintage finds at consignment shops, pawn stores, thrift stores, and yard sales can be one of the best ways to find unique one-of-a-kind bohemian accent pieces for a good price.
Finding a good vintage lamp for your living room side table or a mod coffee table from the sixties can pull your living room together.
Hunting vintage items at thrift stores can also save you money.
7. Plants
Houseplants are a great way to add Bohemian style to your living room on a budget.
No Boho living room is complete without an abundance of plants.
Incorporate a variety of houseplants, such as succulents, snake plants, and fiddle leaf figs, to bring a touch of nature indoors.
Here are 2 ways that houseplants can create a boho living room look done on a budget:
Visual Clutter and Cohesion
Houseplants are available in various textures and shades, but their general green color can act as a visual anchor as your eye moves across the space.
If you add green houseplants throughout the living room, it will look cohesive even if other colors in your design are clashing.
Pots and Planters
Adding brightly colored or eccentric-looking pots and planters for different houseplants can help create a unique bohemian look for your living room without breaking the budget.
Both houseplants and their containers are quite cheap compared to many accents.
Many of these planters or pots can be bought cheaply at garage sales or discount stores and can also be decorated with paint or other accents to make them an even better fit for the space.
8. DIY Macrame Plant Holders
If there is one type of arts and crafts that hippies and bohemians are associated with, it is macrame.
Get crafty and make your own macramé plant hangers to showcase your greenery in style.
This budget-friendly DIY project adds a personal touch to your Boho-inspired space.
While you can macrame your own plant holders to help hang your houseplants throughout the living room to get some on the cheap, these adorable plant holders are also available for sale on Amazon.
This set of 4 macrame plant holders are my favorite for a mismatched look spread out through the entire room.
9. Living Walls
One type of bohemian decor with houseplants that has only recently begun to get popular is the living wall concept.
To pull this off in a living room, you can place a pallet or some other kind of frame on a wall and fill it with small succulents.
These types of houseplants can usually be found in bulk for a low price online, which makes it a good source of plants for a do-it-yourself project like this.
10. Bohemian Wall Art
If you don’t want to do the living walls, you can add Boho wall art to your space instead.
Adorn your walls with Bohemian-inspired artwork, such as tapestries, dream catchers, and woven wall hangings. These unique pieces add character and charm to your living room.
11. Cozy Seating Nooks
Create cozy seating nooks with floor cushions, poufs, and oversized pillows.
These inviting spaces are perfect for lounging, reading, or enjoying a cup of tea with friends.
12. Boho Lighting
Set the mood with Boho-inspired lighting fixtures, such as rattan pendant lights, Moroccan lanterns, and string lights.
Soft, ambient lighting creates a cozy and inviting atmosphere.
Personal Touch with Plant Accessories
Finally, don’t forget to add personal touches that reflect your unique style and personality.
Display travel souvenirs, family photos, and cherished keepsakes to make your Boho living room truly your own.
There are many houseplant accessories, such as vintage watering cans or blown glass watering globes, that can add extra texture and color to the room while also serving the practical function of keeping your houseplants happy, healthy, and hydrated.
Since houseplants are inexpensive, they are the perfect addition to a bohemian living room design.
Wrapping Up Boho Living Room Decor Ideas on a Budget
I hope these Boho living room ideas on a budget inspire you to create a space that reflects your individuality and creativity.
The great thing about decorating your living room in bohemian decor when you are working on a budget is that there are no hard and fast rules for how to put this kind of look together.
No matter how quaint or hand-made your design elements are, they will look right at home in a bohemian style.
Decorating doesn’t have to be expensive – it’s all about expressing yourself and having fun along the way.
As long as you mix and match bright colors, textures, and patterns with some running motifs, you can come up with a room design that looks straight out of a magazine but came straight out of a garage sale!
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