Bohemian or boho interior design is one of the most popular aesthetics. This design style is characterized by rattan, soft rugs, cozy throws, unique textures, and a lot of organic elements, including greenery. The goal of boho style is something that feels inviting, low-key and laidback.

When you follow boho design principles, your space feels casual and like it’s lived-in. There are also eclectic elements.

While there’s no wrong way to decorate your home if you want to make it your own, there are some things you might want to avoid if your goal is boho design.

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1. Going Overboard On Any One Material

Rattan is one of the natural materials often used in a bohemian design, as are other materials like timber or leather. You don’t want to go too heavy on any particular material when you’re creating a bohemian-inspired space. The goal is the eclectic mix of materials.

For example, maybe you combine rattan with something that has a sleeker look and feels like metal.

You can also incorporate ceramic and woven elements.

2. Creating Too Much Clutter

Bohemian style is about comfort and livability, and you don’t want too much clutter that could make it feel overwhelming or less relaxing. While boho style is lived in and features mix-and-match details, don’t go overboard with accent pieces. You can take a minimalist approach and still keep the space visually interesting by layering textures rather than having a lot of accessories.

When you implement the boho style well, the space's warmth and uniqueness depend on layers. Randomness isn’t what you should be going for with your bohemian style.

3. Not Considering Negative Space

Bohemian style can have a lot happening because you’re creating visual impact by mixing colors, materials, and textures. You still want to ensure that within your design is negative space. A room will feel off-balance if you don’t have adequate negative space.

You can balance all of your design elements with those important open spaces.

4. Completely Avoiding Color

In Bohemian style, there are a lot of neutrals. Often the color palettes focus on beige, tan, and cream. Only using neutrals is going to limit you, though. Beautiful, warm, earthy tones can add color to otherwise neutral spaces. Coral, rust, blush, mustard, and sage are all examples of colors that can be complementary to boho spaces.

If you like the idea of a predominantly neutral room, you can keep this in mind as you choose your primary furniture pieces and then add décor.

5. Buying Everything New

There’s something about boho designs that are done well that tend to feel like everything in the room is well-loved and has a history. One mistake some people make if their goal is boho is that they buy everything new, and they don’t take their time to look for unique vintage pieces.

Vintage pieces give a sense of character almost impossible to capture with new furniture and design elements.

6. Sticking Too Closely to the Style

Finally, just because you’ve decided to go with a boho concept doesn’t mean you have to rigidly adhere to it in all ways. If you want to incorporate a piece of furniture, for example, that you don’t necessarily think is completely boho, that’s okay. It’s your home, and while you might prefer one style over another, that doesn’t mean you can’t choose what you love. Bohemian style is, at the end of the day, about being free-spirit, distinctive, and true to who you are and what you love.