Your Outdated Boho Decor Deserves A Smarter Refresh

The interior design world is no stranger to outdated trends, and it seems many coveted aesthetics find themselves on the outs as new fads come in. However, sometimes it's about replacing certain elements (like furniture or color palettes) rather than ditching the trend as a whole. When it comes to the boho trend, it seems that some decor associated with it, like large-scale macrame and too many vintage pieces, has fallen out of fashion. If you want to freshen up your bohemian home designs, you may just need to swap out a few materials and furnishings for things like rattan and neutral palettes rather than overdoing it on the macrame and cluttered layouts. You can still decorate your home with a bohemian style — you just need to modernize it by refining the look and giving it a modern aesthetic.

The goal is to create a minimalist boho look instead of going all-out with every aspect of the design concept. When it comes to bringing your boho decor into the present, one of the simplest solutions is to combine sleek, modern furnishings with soft textiles. This allows you to create a simplistic base to work around since your furniture is such a big part of any room and draws a lot of attention. If it's more understated and features clean lines, you can add other decor and elements around it to pull the boho aesthetic through rather than relying on your bigger pieces to do it. It also helps you avoid creating a dated layout that can't be updated as easily.

For bigger furniture, like couches, desks, tables, and larger arm chairs, stick to pieces with more traditional shapes and designs. Not only will they fit well in other aesthetics when you redecorate, but they also help ground the boho trend and make it less hectic or dated. You can add a few smaller accent furniture pieces that are made with natural materials like rattan or wicker to bring in texture and help introduce the bohemian theme. Once you've picked your anchor furnishings, add various textiles and throws to create a softer, more inviting feeling. These can be printed or patterned in the designs associated with boho aesthetics, like floral, tribal, or geometric patterns.

When it comes to choosing your materials, opt for textures that will soften the lines made by your furnishings. Think of a plush rug in a vibrant pattern that still pulls in neutral tones to help the boho flow. Linen is ideal for everything from couch throws to bedding, as it is a natural fabric that brings a grounded vibe to the room. The bright, bold color palette once associated with some boho designs is also a little outdated, which is why warm tones with prints or patterns can provide dimension while still helping to build a more timeless aesthetic. 

When shopping for accent pieces and smaller furnishings, checking secondhand stores helps you save money on those key rattan and natural materials that elevate this aesthetic. The ultimate guide to bohemian decor notes that wood or wicker works well in this aesthetic. Paired with a neutral palette that uses warmer hues, those materials make a space seem cozy and inviting. Taupe, brown, tan, cream — all of these will pair well with natural pieces while also creating a more modern boho design. If you find a wood piece at a thrift store with good bones, you can refinish it to blend well with the neutral touches you choose. 

One of the most notable parts of the boho theme has always been macrame, but it may be time to let this particular accent go in favor of other textures and wall hangings — it could be contributing to the dated designs. While the thick fabric is certainly reminiscent of the relaxed vibe, it can also create a bulky element that is tricky to decorate around. 

Instead of using macrame, consider hanging wall tapestries or even quilts to add both a soft wall covering and a pattern in your chosen color palette. This is an easy way to pull through everything from florals to geometric patterns that are associated with the more updated theme. It's an easier option than using wallpaper or super bold paint colors. While fabric wallpaper can give your walls a textured look, tapestries and even rugs or blankets can provide the same effect without as much work to hang them.