Across the pond in Central Europe, in what’s now referred to as the Czech Republic, is the former land of Bohemia. And it is in this land where the often misunderstood Bohemian lifestyle originated.
Popularized in the 19th century, the term Bohemian came to reference those who lived unconventional lifestyles that were common to artisans who congregated in poor neighborhoods and among the roaming caravans of Roma Gypsy people. But today, this lifestyle lives on in many ways, and it’s often seen in the form of popular interior design.
Along with Bohemian design, often referred to in contemporary parlance as Boho-chic, the minimalist movement has also gained popularity with its stylistic design quality. And the amalgam of both of these styles can offer anyone a space with both an eccentric allure and a puritanical feel.
If you’re interested in blending two of these seemingly opposite styles of interior design together, the following will offer some helpful tips.
Artwork
While you can be a minimalist with bare walls, you can’t have a Boho-chic space without a touch of eccentricity in the form of art. But thankfully, there are a few ways to appeal to both stylistic qualities.
When looking for artwork, choose a medium that offers texture. A few of these elements are as follows:
- Relief paintings
- Tapestries
- Black and white line drawings
- Wall sculptures
- Native masks
- Carnival masks
- Textile art
- Wire sculptures
Again, the preference of artwork that you consider should be at your own discretion regarding your personal taste. And if you feel that you cannot find anything that fits, consider making your own simple line drawings and having them framed to offer a bit of personality to your space.
Use Space to Your Advantage
One particular element of minimalist spaces is that these often appear barren, flat, open, and breathable. Even carpet might be missing entirely from concrete flooring to give a truly minimal quality to a space. But in attempting to blend both styles together, you also have to use a little creativity.
If you want to maintain breathability to your space while also offering a bit of unconventional flair, placing furniture in such a way as to utilize the openness of your space is ideal. And this will also allow for you to offer a bit of color to create random focal points.
For example, in a living room area, you may choose to place a simple couch against a wall. But in keeping with a minimalist quality, it’s better suited to angle the couch off of the wall, perhaps at a 35 or 45-degree angle.
Additionally, placing just a few elements of color that add warmth to the area will give your space that Boho-chic appeal while maintaining a minimalist environment.
Color Palettes
One of the defining features of a Bohemian space is a bold use of color. Some of these spaces are very loud and full of layered color, while others are slightly muted but still full of depth in the form of multiple earth tones. But how do you add color while also appealing to a minimalist quality?
A few of the following color combinations will provide a nice contrast for your space:
- White and Gold
- Pale blue and Lake red
- Gray and turquoise
- Off-white and bright orange
- Flat white and crimson
Your color combinations should suit your personal style and taste. But the idea here is to use neutral or muted colors as a base throughout the home while placing elements of contrast strategically for that Boho-chic feel.
Furniture
The key to achieving a minimalist design lives in keeping only what you absolutely need in plain view. And only the essentials should be utilized. So if you’re accustomed to walking into a room and dodging furniture like you’re running an obstacle course, this isn’t the effect you’ll want to replicate.
Living room furniture should be comfortable and colorful, but it should also be quite minimal. For example, having just one couch and an ottoman would suffice for a minimalist approach. But having that couch shrouded in colorful blankets and throws would help to achieve a Boho–chic feel.
Kitchen furniture should also be simple as well. In fact, such elements as natural wood, wicker, rattan, bamboo, and the like would not only suit an entirely minimalist space, it also offers the eclectic nature of Boho-chic.
Living a Bohemian lifestyle may lend itself to unconvention. But you can still be unconventional and invite simplicity and openness into your space. And blending the best elements of Boho-chic and minimalism can help you to meet these goals.
