Blending Minimalism with the Free-Spirited Self-Expression of Boho-Chic

What’s been trending over the last decade with the rising popularity of minimalism is nothing new, even though many are just now picking up on this trendy lifestyle. In fact, minimalism has roots that span 200 years deep into popular culture.

The philosophy of simplicity is ages old. In fact, most spiritual teachers often preached the necessity of cultivating solitude and living by simple means as a way to help clear the mind and allow for mindfulness to become tangible. But when it comes to design, minimalism has seen a revival in recent years.

On the flip side of the coin, we also have the Bohemian lifestyle adopted by those with an otherwise unconventional life philosophy. This style often incorporates individuality, and elements that aren’t constrained by contemporary norms.

So how do you blend these two unique styles together in a cohesive manner?

In the following, we’ll explore a few simple methods for uniting two of the most popular interior design styles – the sleek concept of modern minimalism with a Bohemian aesthetic.

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One popular element of minimalist design is to keep the space as open (and as empty) as possible. And though many aren’t aware, the fact is that even if someone claims to be a minimalist, chances are they’re storing away belongings somewhere.

Humans have this innate need to hang on to things, to acquire and keep stuff in some manner. Whether this stuff serves a functional purpose matters little. And even in the modern minimalist home, you’re likely to find storage spaces. Though these spaces are artistically concealed.

If you’re new to the minimalist lifestyle but still need to hang on to your need for self expression, having a concealed storage area, such as a hollow coffee table, or a small closet under a staircase can suit nicely.

When combined with a Bohemian aesthetic, you may find that a nondescript trunk might serve as a functional design element while allowing you to store your needed belongings as well.

When it comes to a boho-chic home, plants are one of the best functional décors you can choose. Your Bohemian-style dwelling wouldn’t be complete with some indoor plants in different areas because they help you attain a cohesive and beautiful appearance. Some of the best natural indoor plants for a Boho-style home include cactus, succulents, snake plants, aloe vera, spider plants, and other similar options.

But if you’re also keeping minimalism in mind, adding too many plants to your space may not be a good idea. Hence, if you want to create a minimalist but a Boho-chic home, it’s important to find the perfect plants that suit your desired style. For example, succulents can be an ideal Bohemian décor while keeping a minimalist appearance. Most varieties of succulents are small in size, making them a fantastic way of giving your home a Bohemian vibe.

On the other hand, you can also partner your indoor plant with some Boho flowers to make the most out of a Boho-chic home style. Your flowers don’t have to be placed all around your house to keep minimalism to a minimum. For instance, you can have a box of flowers delivered and put it in a special area to spice up your home’s Bohemian look.

Living a Bohemian lifestyle often lends itself to an eccentric form of self-expression. And as wild as these forms of expression might seem, you can still incorporate Boho elements into a minimalist space.

For example, instead of having a collage of wall decor as common in many Boho-chic spaces, a few strategically placed pieces of art which add texture to your walls will serve a dual purpose.

The following elements might prove useful when creating your design:

• Standing artwork (paintings not hung)
• A lone, colorful vase
• Wall tapestries
• Minimalist line drawings
• Solid color art
• Hanging plants

While your wall decor will be up to your personal taste, when attempting to achieve a synergy between these two unique styles, keeping your decor placement to a “minimum” is key for achieving a well-blended look.

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Boho-chic spaces are known for exuding a lavishly unconventional sense of comfort. In fact, one might envision large, bulky floor pillows or oversized couches with colorful blankets and throw rugs draped over furniture in odd places. But when keeping with a minimalist style, too much of this is going to appear heavy and invasive.

Thankfully, you don’t have to skimp on comfort when incorporating both styles. For example, simply by having only one or two floor pillows could add a focal point and offer a sense of comfort.

Additionally, furniture can also offer attributes of both styles if you look for sleek, natural furniture designs such as natural wood with sharp edges, rattan chairs, or even wicker couches with soft cushions. For example, you can specifically add a vintage wood side table to come up with a minimalist Boho-chic home. The furniture doesn’t consume a lot of space in your area, which is why it’s a perfect way of blending minimalism with an expression of Bohemian style.

Minimalist spaces aren’t all dark and cold with protruding pipes like something out of a steampunk novel. In fact, lighting is a huge part of minimalist design as it offers a means to make a room look larger, brighter, and in some cases emptier.

But lighting is also important when it comes to Boho-chic as well. In fact, airy, bright light is often a part of this type of design. And you can easily incorporate the two with a little strategic placement.

Bright lighting can be achieved naturally through opening your window spaces up by hanging sheer linens (even torn linens for texture) to give both a minimalist appeal with a Boho chic accent.

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Combining two distinct design styles might not be the easiest to achieve. But with the right elements placed in the right areas and incorporating the design tips listed here, you’ll be able to enjoy a nice open space with the style of unconvention.

Published in: Ideas | Author: Lynn