Our Aesthetic Bohemian Design Project in Singapore (2023)
If you want your house to get full of life with a place for bright things then consider and pay attention to Bohemian Design or as it is commonly shortened “Boho”. The works of top interior designers in Singapore like Swiss Interiors represent all of this with their excellent Bohemian Design Approach:
Boho interior design is a beautiful combination of eclecticism and fun, done more with artistic flair than a routine plan. Boho represents freedom and uniqueness, the absence of rules and restrictions which is all achieved by an artistic approach. So, boho is an opportunity to elegantly combine the impossible.
Origin Of Style
If you want to know more about what boho is, then you should look at how it originated. Boho is a simplification in the modern lexicon from the French La Boheme, meaning “gypsy”. Its birthplace is said to be “Bohemia”, the territory of the modern Czech Republic, so it is not surprising why it has such a name. The place was mainly occupied by gypsies who led mainly a nomadic life, abiding by their own set of rules for many years.
In the 19th century, the word “bohemian” was used to refer to artists leading a bohemian, free lifestyle. These were people with a special outlook on life who did not follow generally accepted canons and tried to live brightly and creatively. So, these very interesting ideas are embodied the boho style in the interior.
The main feature of the interior design style is that two identical rooms cannot exist in nature - even if you really want to, you will never be able to completely copy the room. However, something can be highlighted.
Read more: Mediterranean Style In The Interior: Simple And Available
The Main Features Of The Boheminan Interior Design Style:
Eclecticism
It is an incredible combination of elements that attracts attention. Piles of pillows, multi-colored curtains, exotic bedding, oriental accessories, and a huge number of different pieces of furniture, decorations, lamps, and accessories that do not fit with each other. Just a look at the one works from Swiss Interior’s portfolio may give you the idea of the words above:
In such interiors, it cannot be boring - your eyes will jump from one colour to another, from one piece of furniture to another. You may even feel like you are travelling through time.
Colour preferences
Bohemian interior design styles often play with colour palette; it is usually the main colour with several other featured ones standing out from the background. In the photo below provided from Swiss Interior’s portfolio, you can see there is beige gamma with bright accents. You can do the same and throw colourful pillows on a green sofa or whatever.
Feel free to experiment with various designs diluting their splashes of colour in the brightest colours.
Contrasting materials
Another important feature of Bohemian style is choosing the material for furniture, accessories, and décor that suits your taste. You can mix and decorate your room with expensive parquet; when it comes to walls you can choose white bricks and then add simple furniture, and this is what harmony looks like.
Most reliable interior designers choose natural materials that are typical for country style, vintage chic, and many other styles, except perhaps high-tech. You rarely or never see artificial materials in the Bohemian interior rather you will see cotton, leather, silk, fur, wood, etc.
Furniture
Comfort is the priority when choosing boho furniture. Whether it is comfortable deep sofas, cosy armchairs, pouffes, or small coffee tables. Vintage furniture that you took from your grandmother or found in some market will fit perfectly into the interior: antique dressers, shabby chic wardrobes, wooden sideboards, rocking chairs, and wicker furniture.
Accessories and decor elements
It just so happened that boho is not characterised by a planned organization of storage. It can be that Bohemian design is all about creating chaos. It is the central point of Boho where you may find books lying on the windwheel and pillows on the floor.
The most important thing here is to be able to experiment. The bohemian room must necessarily reflect the personality and lifestyle of the owner. Again, there are no rules here: a hat you bought on vacation, crystal garlands, wood or ceramic items, paintings, plant, whatever pleases your heart.
Lighting
There are no strict rules in lighting - a wicker lampshade, a chic chandelier, and a vintage lamp will do great. The most important thing is you like each item that you choose and there is no central lighting taking all the attention. It is better if there are a lot of light sources so the interior feels more relaxed and comfortable like the below picture from Swiss Interior’s Portfolio.
Varieties of boho style
The boho-style interior is a great direction in which there is room for any experiments. Where to begin? Try to determine which boho you like best:
Classic boho
Yes, yes, the same style that we are talking about here. Just repeat all the points listed above - you get a boho classic. Gypsyism, a riot of colours and emotions, vintage and oriental motifs. Have you forgotten about textiles and eclecticism?
Eco boho
Features: a huge number of plants, simplicity, and natural materials - stone, wood, tiles. The furniture is very simple, preferably handmade. The colours are not bright with more natural shades - white, brown, and green. Accessories include coarse textiles, earthenware, wicker baskets, and personal creativity in all its manifestations. It is based on respect for life and nature, harmony, and emotions.
Boho chic
In contrast to the greenness of the previous direction, boho-chic is much more thoughtful and sophisticated. There is no place for shabby furniture, only expensive upholstery, high-quality accessories, luxurious interior design decor, and the use of precious metals. There are a lot of accessories and textiles, all of which are of high quality and carefully selected.
Boho hippie
Macrame, fringe, candles, blankets, souvenirs from all over the world, and many plant motifs - all the elements of hippie culture are used in this type of style. The right patterns and generally relaxed casualness are very important, and this is where the main love for hand-made shows up.
Boho Glam
A little frilly and bright glam boho combines the freedom of boho and the charm of glamour - luxurious chandeliers, bright colours, precious metals, vintage, and the freshness of modern materials. You can throw a fur or satin cape on the back of the sofa, and decorate the chandelier with rhinestones and multi-coloured lights.
Read more: Classic Interior Design Ideas That Will Make Your HDB Look Timeless
Who is the boho interior style for?
Almost everyone! Seriously, people with a creative streak are ready for constant experiments. “I am an artist, I see it this way” is completely about this style and all its variations. Thus, if you want to create an artistic space that is full of life and aesthetics, then this design style is definitely for you.
Dos and Don’ts of Bohemian interior design
Bohemian interior design is one of the most trending and popular styles worldwide. Since there are no rules in a Bohemian interior, it gives a free pass to the designers and homeowners to experiment with their creativity and aesthetics. However, there are certain things that must be added in this design style whereas certain things that must be kept at bay. These dos and don’t are essential to be kept in mind to create a balanced and cohesive environment.
Dos of Bohemian interiors
Let’s start with the dos on what things to keep in mind while creating a well-balanced and visually appealing Bohemian interior.
Add different layers of textures and combine various patterns in decor.
Combine various forms of lighting to create accents.
Accessorize the space with decor elements from various artistic eras and mix and match them with each other.
Use plenty of natural materials in the interior whether it is in upholstery, furniture, rugs, and other decor elements. Invest in handmade materials.
Add a more natural touch to the interior by placing lots of plants in the rooms.
Finally, be artistic! Add artistic elements in the form of decor and ornamentation. Use abstract patterns and textures to create a uniquely artistic space.
Dont’s of Bohemian interiors
Now let’s move on to the don’ts that must be kept in mind while designing a Bohemian interior.
Avoid too much black in the interior or any other darker shade for that matter. Bohemian interiors are all about bright, airy ambiences; therefore using too much dark color will make the interior look dense and dull which must be avoided.
Don’t shy away from adding multiple layers of textures and patterns. Playing it too safe with these layers will take out the very essence of Bohemian style from the interior, hence must be avoided.
Don’t let all the elements create a visual mess in the interior. Make sure that all elements balance each other in one way or the other so as to create an artistic, yet balanced interior.
Don’t forget to leave negative spaces in the interior. Although Bohemian style follows the ‘more is more’ philosophy, negative spaces are crucial to ensure that all the other elements stand out. Otherwise, they will just appear as groups of clutter with no visual impact.
Tips to create Bohemian look in your home
Now that we have understood what Bohemian design is all about, let’s go over some tried and tested best tips along with examples which can inspire you to create the perfect Bohemian interior in your HDB or condominium.
Combine and Layer!
A bohemian interior is an unapologetic combination of layers of textures and patterns from different geographical locations and time periods. As opposed to a minimalist or Scandinavian design, a Boho design is all about combining and mixing different finishes and textures. For example, in the living room, you can add a modern sofa and place hand woven cushions on it. Similarly, a traditional kilim or Persian rug can be placed on hardwood floors to add different layers of textures. Similarly, you can place cane or wicker decorative items along with bohemian patterned wall hangings or curtains.
Same can be done in the living room where you can choose different patterns like woven linen, shaggy rugs, wicker baskets, and glossy lamps to create a perfect blend of combinations and layers.
Choose bold patterns and colors
A bohemian interior is anything but a dark and dull space. You are free to choose rich patterns and bold colors according to your preferences here. You can incorporate bright colors like pink, turquoise, purple, orange, and red in the interior. These can be further made to stand out on some neutral backgrounds. A few dark and deep hues in the room help create a luxurious character in the space. Emerald green, ruby red, and topaz blue hues can be used with a touch of black in various abstract and striped patterns to create the typical Bohemian look in any room of the house.
Add Souvenirs
A Bohemian interior should tell a story to anyone who enters the premises. This is achieved by adding souvenirs and trinkets from places that you have traveled. Whether they are valuable ornaments or jewels passed on through generations or small decorative items that you got from your vacations abroad, these souvenirs can help bring those particular destinations and time periods right into your home. Not only are they a great conversation starter, they can help keep you and your guests occupied for hours as you indulge in their history and how you acquired them. Family heirlooms, travel souvenirs, books, sculptures, and other forms are art just a few examples of how you can help your Bohemian home tell a tale.
Incorporate natural and handmade elements
Since a Bohemian interior design is predominantly influenced by art, it is only natural that it should include handmade items that showcase the uniqueness and craftsmanship of their producers. Handmade decorative items along with other types of furnishings and upholstery are good options to include in a Bohemian interior design.
Moreover, natural materials also make a significant part of these interiors. Natural materials like wood, stone, ceramics, and wicker are often used in various elements. These natural materials help create a closer-to-nature connection which when combined with various forms of lighting and bright pops of color can bring out the characteristic Bohemian feel into the interior.
Go green!
A Boho interior design is also dominated by lots of plants. These plants not only help strengthen the connection with nature that we discussed in the section above, but also create a uniquely fresh and lively atmosphere. Moreover, these plants also help purify the air which is much needed in these times. Large leafy plants, succulents, and snake plants are just some of the examples of the plants you can include in the interior. Instead of using modern planters for these plants, you can choose ceramic or terracotta ones to bring that traditional ambience in the interior. Furthermore, you can paint these terracotta planters in artistic or Bohemian patterns to bring a Boho feel.
Add a little bling
All the natural and handmade materials and elements can create a relatively dull environment if not balanced properly. While using bright bold colors is one way to help brighten up the space, another important element that can be added to achieve this is some form of embellishment. These could be in the form of sequin patterns, fringes, tassels, pearls, and other forms of ornamental and bejeweled beads. This type of bling and shine is often seen in Boho interiors and can be used in any room of the house. Whether they are used as fabrics for sofa cushions or sheer curtains made of sequined tassels, they can surely create a unique and personalized Boho space for you.
Incorporate vintage elements
The last tip on how you can bring a Bohemian touch to your interior is the incorporation of vintage pieces and old furnshinings. When you create a beautiful contrast between the old and the new, the result is beautiful harmony and relaxed ambience in the home. You can even add second-hand or preloved items as they themselves have stories to tell. Furniture and decorative items that have been handed down through generations can create a history and soul in the interior that will be unmatched.
What defines Bohemian style?
Bohemian design style is a manifestation of your artistic and free spirit with a distinctive fusion of old and new, organic and eclectic elements, and items that transcend various cultures. Almost every element in the Bohemian style tells a story and you see a beautiful combination and mixing of different forms of natural and artificial materials, fusion of patterns, bright bold colors, and items from travels beautifully showcased.
What colors are Bohemian interior design?
When talking about Bohemian colors, bright bold earthy hues when combined with deep shades or simple neutrals make up a color palette that is ideal for a Boho interior. These colors include yellow, blue, green, gray, brown, beige, and red.
What are the elements of Bohemian style?
In a nutshell, the elements of Bohemian style can be listed as:
No rules
Bright colors with Earthy hues
Lots of natural elements and materials like wood, metal, terracotta, and ceramic
Bohemian patterns
Lots of plants
Artistic decor
Vintage elements
Layers of textures
Mixing of various patterns and colors
Maximalism in the interior with some negative spaces.
What is Bohemian Vs Eclectic?
Although Bohemian and eclectic design styles are often used interchangeably, both of them differ in ideology. An Eclectic design style includes some of the basic elements of the Boho design but they all must follow some rules so that the interior is balanced in proportion and rhythm. On the other hand, in a Boho design style, there are no rules and you are free to follow your preferences without much consideration for balance and harmony.
Final Thoughts
The most important thing to remember: the boho style in the interior is when you yourself decide what is “beautiful” for you, abandoning the generally accepted canons.
Boho is freedom: the freedom to live your life, the freedom to create, and the freedom to choose. Try new things, experiment, travel, fill the space with adventure memories, and remember: your favourite interior will be waiting for you at home.
Swiss Interior provides interior design in Singapore. We offer renovation services for HDB interior design like 3-room HDB interior design and condominium interior design, check out our service today!
About Swiss Interior
Swiss Interior is a leading interior design company in Singapore since 2012. Led by founders Jason and Ronnie, the Swiss team serves customers from all walks of life, delivering bespoke and dream interior design and renovation services to all homeowners in Singapore.
Accreditations & Awards:
- Singapore outstanding enterprise award (2013)
- HomeRenoGuru Most Trusted ID (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022)
- First ID firm to win 1 Week Kitchen Challenge by HomeRenoGuru (2019)
- Featured in NOC RenoKing (2020)
- HomeRenoGuru Top 10 ID Firm (2020, 2021)
- Featured in CNA Lifestyle Making Room (2021)
- Qanvast SuperTrust (2021, 2022)
- Featured in HomeStyle Magazine Year End Cover Page (2021)
- Featured in Sheikh Haikel & Anna Belle Francis DreamHome (2022)
- Sidac Accreditation (2022)