have a bo-ho-ho christmas

“Boho,” short for bohemian, is an aesthetic that draws its inspiration from artists, travelers, and nomads, by way of the free-spirited hippie generation. In your home, this translates as a relaxed, eclectic look with an emphasis on natural textures, vintage (or vintage-looking) pieces, and items with a global feel.

Whether you’ve fully embraced Boho style, or are just dipping your sandaled toes in, you can capture some of its cool, laid-back vibe during the hectic holiday season by incorporating key Boho elements into your decorating. Join us as we Bo-ho-ho the whole house for the holidays, starting with the living room.

Laid-back in the Living Room

In the Boho living room, comfort is king. Start with pieces inspired by nature, like the caramel-coloured faux leather Arroyo sofa and marble-topped or wood coffee and end tables. (Hint: the rustic Dakota table, above is a Boho fave.) From there, layer on accessories in a range of warm neutrals—a cozy rug, textured toss pillows, handwoven throws, and a collection of slouchy braided baskets to hide clutter.

On the tree, macrame ornaments, oversized tassels, jute or yarn wrapped balls, painted or stamped wood slices, blown glass, rattan and tin stars share space with garlands made of wood beads (natural or dyed), pom poms, dried oranges and bay leaves, pinecones, or even paper. For the classic “natural” Boho look, stick to a colour palette of cream, tan, and pine, or to capture the free-spirited, colourful side of Boho, go wild with hot pink, orange, red, teal, green, and yellow.

Under the tree, tree skirts have fallen out of fashion, and have been replaced with Boho babe-approved tree collars. Look for collars in wood, woven rattan or seagrass, or covered in cozy cable knits to fit your Boho vibe. If you’re crafty, Pinterest is loaded with inspo and tutorials to make your own from materials found around the house.

For those with fireplaces, adorn the mantel with natural garlands interwoven with wood bead or a dramatic macrame swag, then add charming ceramic or wood pieces, bottlebrush trees, and a string of white micro-lights. Of course, keeping with the theme, Boho stockings hung on the mantel are a must—look for classic styles reimagined in natural fibres, tasseled handknits, and eclectic, patchwork masterpieces. No fireplace? No problem. Decorate a bookcase or banister with the same elements for an instant holiday focal point.

Boho Delights in the Dining Room

Like the Boho living room, the dining room relies on natural materials and comfy easy-going pieces. We love the warm, organic feel of the Jacob live edge table, especially when paired with a modern chair—you can’t go wrong with a classic like the Jaspeni, shown here in white with natural legs.

Over the table, a simple pendant fixture, like the Farica in wood and glass, helps set the tone and can be installed with a dimmer to provide just the right amount of light for brunches, intimate dinners, and holiday wrapping marathons. Boho style demands layered lighting, so be sure to add a couple sconces and wood, glass, or ceramic candle holders to chase away the shadows and cast a warm, flattering light.

To bring your Boho Christmas theme into the dining room, set a simple, but elegant table with plenty of natural elements and DIY touches. Start by laying down a natural linen or burlap table runner, followed by fresh greenery and micro dot lights or a wood bead garland. Vary the height of your candles by mixing taller tapers or pillar candles with inexpensive glass votives.

On the sideboard, go for height and drama with pampas grass (another Boho fave), fresh greenery, or potted Christmas trees, left unadorned or decorated with simple garlands. If you will be serving from your sideboard, gather a collection of vintage or vintage-inspired serving bowls, cake stands, and platters. After the feast, wash and return them to the sideboard to display vintage ornaments, fresh oranges, or more greenery.

Bohemian Vibes in the Bedroom

Boho bedrooms are a pleasure to fall asleep and wake up in because they are soothing and relaxing by design. One of our fave Boho-inspired beds is the Altyra platform bed. The subtle horizontal lines of the headboard and light wood help give the room a light, airy feel, and the slatted frame means we can use our extra-comfy memory foam mattress without an additional base.

To get the full Boho experience, dress your bed in layers of white and cream (natural fibers only, please) and pile on the toss pillows. We love how the Lanston, above, echoes the caramel sofa in the living room—trust us, once you go Boho in one room, you won’t be able to stop.

Again, simple touches are all it takes to bring a little bit of that Boho Christmas magic into the bedroom. To dress the bedside tables and walls, look for natural garlands, kraft paper wrapped gifts, mini Christmas trees, a wreath of pampas or greenery, a hanging star-shaped lantern, or oversized paper snowflakes.

Dress your bedroom shelves or bookcase (we love the Galtbury, pictured above) with nostalgic accessories, garlands, or handmade paper bunting for a fun touch, and don’t forget a couple strings of micro-dot or fairy lights to add a little sparkle. In fact, you might like the romantic twinkle and soft glow so much that you keep them around all year long.

Eclectic Feels in the Kitchen

The kitchen is the heart of the home and that’s especially true during the holidays when we spend extra time in there cooking, baking, and visiting. (You know what they say about the best parties ending up in the kitchen!)

To get your kitchen ready for holiday entertaining, make sure you have great lighting, comfy seating, like these Boho-inspired Centiar bar stools, and a showstopping orange (or red or blue or yellow or cream) dual-fuel range. The last one is optional, but makes a great conversation piece, not to mention great cookies. *wink*

If you are all-in on the Boho vibe, let that carry over into your cooking and baking. Simple, but delicious comfort food, inventive cocktails with a global twist, and beautiful, white-on-white or gingerbread cookies all fit the aesthetic. While you’re at it, package up some of your holiday baking in kraft paper bakery boxes, decorated for giving with jute twine, dehydrated orange slices, and a sprig of greenery.

The kitchen is also a great place to get your Boho Christmas crafting on. Even if you don’t consider yourself a crafty person, everything from dried orange-slice or rosemary garlands to cinnamon stick stars to clever ice luminaries can come out of your kitchen. A quick browse through Pinterest will yield dozens of easy ideas (we promise)—try searching “Boho Christmas Crafts” to get started.

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