How to Create a Bohemian Chic Bedroom

Funky thrift store finds create a bohemian vibe in your space.

Create a hip hangout full of vivid colors, trendsetting pieces and furniture representing various regions or cultures. Beaded curtains, printed tapestries, kitschy souvenirs and antiques complement bold wall colors or eclectic focal pieces like ornamental mantels, antique doors or stained glass windows. Make it personalized with statement pieces like photos in funky frames, decoupaged furniture and altered art. Floor poufs, bold satin and brocade create a rich, Moroccan opulence, while beaded trim on curtains adds a hint of sparkle.

Things You'll Need

• Sketching supplies
• Paint chips
• Paint
• Painting supplies
• Wallpaper
• Stencils
• Antiques
• Tapestries
• Exotic fabrics
• Floor pillows

Instructions

1. Sketch your ideas for your room on plain paper or graph paper. If you are looking for a general overview, simple pencil and sketch paper are fine. For more detailed schematics use graphing paper, colored pencils, paint chips and swatches of fabric or wallpaper.

2. Collect swatches of fabric, paint chips, wallpaper samples and scraps of trim or embellishments you'll be using on curtains, bedding and upholstery. Compare combinations of colors, textures and prints to determine the best overall arrangement for your space, taking into account the lighting and dimensions in your room. Bold wall colors can overpower a room with few windows or low ceilings, while vertical stripes of paint or wallpaper can add the illusion of height to the space.

3. Prime your walls before painting to ensure your color remains vibrant and long-lasting. Use painter's tape, sponges, rags and textured paint rollers to create designs and patterns in the paint, or create a wainscoting effect with wallpaper and a molded railing or a bordered frieze. Stencils can also create a wallpapered or wainscoting effect for less expense and are easier to change or paint over than paper.

4. Create or purchase tapestries and curtains made of richly colored fabrics. Choose heavier drapes for the outside edges of your windows and gauzy materials for the actual window covering to add versatility to the design. Hand-painted, tie-dyed or batik-printed curtains create an authentic and personalized vibe, while vintage materials repurposed into drapes add a retro style to the room.

5. Arrange souvenirs, vintage kitschy pieces and antique or thrift store finds to create a space that is distinctly you. Knickknacks in funky patterns or materials create dimension and character in the room, while larger pieces like recycled mantels or antique doors coupled with floor poufs emphasize the bohemian style.

References

• Bedroom Decorating Designs and Ideas: Bohemian Bedroom Decor
• Bedroom Decorating Ideas: Shabby Chic