Veronica Solomon
Mar 19, 20216 min
The modern bohemian look has gained in popularity recently. It is definitely a look I love myself, as the boho aesthetic feels effortless, casual and usually authentic and speaks to my maximalist heart. It uses a lot of textures, greenery, and other natural elements, and the mood is always one that stimulates all the senses.
Of course, when a certain design style becomes popular, you will also find the "knock-off" or kitschy versions, where people are decorating with this style with no real thoughtfulness and therefore no authenticity. It is usually trendy, misplaced things, like a bunch of macrame wall hangings, plants overload, and overuse of color and texture without the right balance. The result is usually a cheap looking, cluttered version.
Today, I wanted to share the concepts for a recent consultation I did in person with a client. This one is not a virtual session but I chose to use it for one of our Virtual Design Sessions series because I have been wanting to write about the modern boho style for a while. I will drop links to similar items as I go in case you want to create this look for yourself. If you make a purchase through any of these links, I make a small commission as a thank you from the seller. This will not cost you more
My client loves the bohemian look, but also loves modern mid-century elements. She prefers a softer, feminine color palette, and for each piece to be super functional and comfortable. I took a look at her Pinterest board and liked individual things from what she sent me. But the overall spaces did have the more kitschy feel, and I wanted more for her and her beautiful home. I guess, to sum it up, I was going for the sophisticated version of modern boho.
The home is a new build, modern style with open concept living areas, and great finishes.
I loved the idea of bringing in some mid-century pieces and minimizing the more maximalist side of boho. Usually with boho style, you find saturated colors, lots of pattern mixing and heavy textures. We are not doing a whole lot of that, therefore the pieces chosen will have to be strong and purposeful. This will create a more elevated look to the boho elements.
In this image below courtesy of Wix's photo gallery, this bedroom, although a nice bedroom is a bit too casual and a bit kitschy for what we are going for. Too many small pieces, and the eye does not really have a place to rest. It is trying to take in a lot of individual elements without cohesiveness
The same with this other image from Wix's photo gallery. While this is a nice rendering of a vignette in a room, it doesn't feel layered enough and could be elevated a bit
The first thing to keep in mind with the boho style, and any other style for that matter, is that not every piece has to be boho. It should instead have a very collected feel; as if your home and collections evolved over time. This means for this client, recommending that she includes a variety of design styles, including traditional, ethnic and even contemporary
Here is the space before. Isn't it wonderful?
It is a great home and I love how open the space is. Lots of potential and wonderful finishes to build on.
Here is the floor plan not drawn to scale
Although she has beautiful greige tone engineered wood floors, I am starting with a large rug that will ground the seating area and anchor the room. Similar one HERE
Notice that the sofa with chaise is very long and brings in tons of seating and comfort for her
The two chairs with a bench in front almost creates a secondary seating arrangement in the room. This keeps the space a bit more intimate and cozy; a hallmark of boho design.
A round coffee table makes the most sense in the space.
On the main wall, I am recommending a wall full of laser cut wood panels that will run from floor to ceiling. That is a definite nod to the boho vibe and will be a strong focal point to support the large room.
I am recommending mounting the TV on top of the panels and anchor the whole wall with a long TV console with a tall floor plant on the right, next to the fireplace wall, and a shorter one on the left (not shown on the rendering), for an asymmetrical visual balance of the wall. Plants are a must in a modern boho space.
On the back wall, I am recommending three glass front cabinets bunched close together for a strong visual effect and a lot of storage for collections
Here is one of the mood boards with the key items for the room
I am so in love with that bubble chandelier. I think it will just be a cool piece for the room. It feels organic and almost cloud-like and a perfect nod to boho. Similar one HERE
The mid-century style media console is also a favorite of mine. I used it in another project a while back and never got photos of it :-( I love the finish of the wood, which I think will layer nicely with the white finish of the laser cut wood panels shown to the left on the mood board. The warm white allows it to make a subtle statement and not compete with the fireplace wall. similar TV console HERE
I did bring in my signature black and white stripe in the coffee table. I love the low profile of the table which gives it a very modern vibe. The overall style of the coffee table is a nod to ethnic design. HERE's one that could work as well
The sofa with chaise - which will be in an off-gray performance fabric - almost white gray is also a modern staple with clean lines and low profile. Similar one HERE
The black cabinets are a show stopper - imagine three of them bunched together on one wall. The arched top gives them more of a traditional feel. I am a big believer in having lots of beautiful storage to display collections and beautiful things. These HERE could work as well
I did a similar application with these cabinets in this breakfast room. See what a strong statement three of them makes?
And you may recognize that cabinet from another virtual session not too long ago. Can you tell how much I love it?
Back to the mood board...........
Have you seen anything sexier than these modern chairs I am recommending? Oh my! I love the unique style, and I am recommending that they be covered in a soft blue fabric pulling from the gorgeous rug, which definitely has a boho traditional vibe to it. These beauties would work great as well
The color scheme came from the rug - pale pinks, blues and greens. The wall color will be Benjamin Moore Classic Gray in an eggshell finish. The perfect neutral that allows the furnishings to take center stage
The gorgeous bench is also clean and modern, and the end tables are a beautiful combination of materials. I love combining natural materials in every room, and especially this modern boho space. I really like this one HERE
The two leather Moroccan ottomans are definitely boho style. They are perfect for filling a space aesthetically or footrests for practicality. Similar ones HERE
The pink feathers art encased in an acrylic box will make a great focal point above the fireplace mantel. Very soft and feminine
Notice that we are getting that modern boho vibe without one single macrame piece? Nothing against macrame of course, but it tends to get super themey. Unless it's a piece that means a lot to you and one that you love, you can create a sophisticated modern boho space without it.
Now we will let the accessories do the talking..........
The mood board above shows the pillows and chair fabric, plus the pampas grass and woven vase, the cool crow lamp and the tray with candles I would like to add on top of the TV console.
This mood board shows another pillow with heavy texture for the sofa, a pink chunky knit blanket and accessories and art pieces
And finally some other ideas for accessories. Notice the textures and feeling of exotic-ness?
Now let's look at the renderings that we created to showcase our concepts for this living room
In this concept, we are showing the artwork layered above the fireplace. I love leaning art against a fireplace wall and layering one on top of the other. There is something about that idea that evokes casual, collected and effortless. Definitely the mood you want to create in a modern boho space.
Here is another view of the room
I just love this really long console behind the sofa. What a great way to display a collection of baskets or books, or a great place to add plants. See it HERE
In this concept, we are showing the pink feather art above the fireplace
And here's the other view of the room
Now this is a room I could definitely get super comfortable in.
What say you? Could you see yourself in this space? I hope so, and I hope you shop the look using the links throughout the post.
Reach out anytime if you have a space that is a design challenge and you would love some virtual design help. Your space may be chosen for more detailed design resources. Book a Virtual Design Session HERE
Wishing You Beauty And Inspiration,
Veronica Solomon