The bohemian decor is a trend that’s here to stay, achieve the relaxed style in your home with these tips
It can’t be just our social media feeds that are flooded with women in floaty dresses standing in their gorgeous bohemian homes? The trend has seen a resurgence in popularity in the last few years for its happy marriage of eclecticism, sustainability and comfort. Here in the UAE there are more shopping outlets offering boho-style items than ever, so no matter your budget you can achieve this look.
If you’ve been thinking about bringing the free-spirited vibe into your space, now is the time to do so, as it appears the boho revolution will be televised – well, social-mediavised. Kym Jackson Shen from Haute Bohéme gives us the low-down on where to start.
Open up your space
If you are planning to renovate, the biggest and most dramatic change you can make is by opening up the space as much as possible. Many houses in the UAE are built with lots of interior partition walls, which can make them feel smaller and darker. Knocking down any that are unnecessary, as long as it’s structurally sound to do so, will breathe new life into the space. When renovating The Lake House in The Lakes [pictured], I did exactly this and was even able to dramatically widen the door frame leading from the sitting room to the garden, to really enhance the boho holiday vibe.
Bring the outside in
The more natural elements you can weave into your space the better. At one end of the scale, that could mean installing a pool in the garden, so you feel the serenity of having water nearby. If that’s not an option, simply bringing fresh flowers and plants into the home can help set the tone – you can’t go wrong with white blooms or simple greens.
Add a wash of white
An easy yet dramatic change to make is painting all the walls white. There are so many shades to choose from but my personal favourite at the moment is Dulux White on White – it’s beautiful.
Introduce some easy updates
If you are renting your property and don’t want to make a big investment, a few choice accessories can go a long way to achieving this look. Lighting is a great place to start both in terms of style and helping to set the mood. Opt for a large beaded chandelier or pendant in the communal areas or in a space that calls for a statement piece, such as the stairwell. Check out our Clay Twist Chandelier, which is hand rolled from raw clay handmade in Africa by a community of women in Kwazulu Natal.
Add a rug
A wood effect floor tile enhances this look well, but you can easily dress up a marble floor by layering textiles. Sea grass rugs in black, white or a natural tone work well with faux fur throws in muted hues.
For more bohemian inspiration have a look around Tribe owner, Jo England’s Arabian Ranches villa or at these dreamy balconies from around the world.