How to Design the Colorful Bedroom of Your Dreams (2024)

In boho design, it's not unusual to see many saturated hues combine forces in a singular room. Instead of shying away from color—as many people tend to do in the bedroom—lean into vibrant choices like punchy pink, zesty lemon, and tropical teal as Heather Peterson did in this kids' room.

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More is more when it comes to texture in boho bedrooms—and that includes the ceiling. In this Hawaiian escape, Breeze Giannasio added a grounding layer by covering the vaulted ceiling in wood planks reminiscent of the surrounding bamboo forests.

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For the finishing touch in this Florida bedroom, Lauren Liess relied on a dangling grass chandelier to illuminate the space and bring on the bohemian vibes. Combined with oversized palm leaves, a vintage gilded mirror, and an embellished gold bed, it perfectly channels the surrounding tropical environment.

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Nothing says "private escape" quite like a bed nook where you literally can't be found. Such was the goal in this space by French & French Interiors, designed for the 2021 House Beautiful Whole Home. Though it's technically part of a larger media room, this secluded hideaway—guarded by bold patterned curtains—offers up a dreamlike boho retreat where you can while away the afternoon.

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In a boho bedroom, a singular print just won't do—and neither will two or three. Eschew any rules and pile on the prints for a maximalist look that feels collected and effervescent. In this primary suite designed by Isabel Ladd for the 2023 House Beautiful Whole Home, a spunky Morris & Co. wallpaper combines with an array of prints—from florals and gingham to tiger stripes and ikat—for a room that embodies the "more is more, less is a bore" aesthetic, as Ladd put it.

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The foundation of your room often sets the precedent for its design, making your rug one of the most important pieces you can pick. Peter Dunham kicked things off on the right foot in this boho bedroom with a bold vintage Indian dhurrie in shades of pink and blue, echoing the Hamptons coastline right outside the window.

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If you have the opportunity to renovate or build a home from the ground up, playing with the proportions of your bedroom can be a great way to give it a boho feel. In this space by Melissa Colgan, hand-hewn wood beams and an expansive vaulted ceiling offset large and small windows (both dressed in curtains custom-made using a block print-inspired Martyn Lawrence Bullard fabric). The airy ceilings are high enough for a woven chandelier.

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You could make the case for live greenery in pretty much any room, but it's an essential component of a boho bedroom. Here, Justina Blakeney (the indisputable queen of boho design) relied on a sprawling ficus tree to breathe life into the corner of this eclectic retreat, which is made even more enticing by eye-catching wallpaper, a vintage Moroccan wedding blanket, and a duo of French doors leading out to a terrace.

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While boho design is largely known for more free-flowing patterns (think ikat, floral batik, and block print), incorporating a more structured and linear print into your design is a great way to keep things feeling balanced. In this Florida vacation home designed by Ashley Gilbreath, striped wallpaper from Farrow & Ball teams with more boho-leaning elements like a rattan chair and printed bed linens for the ultimate mix-and-match bedroom sanctuary.

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Boho spaces have a patina to them—they always feel like they've been around a while and have seen a bit of life. To give a newer home the same timeworn feel, consider painting the walls with a limewash paint or Roman clay finish. Whitney Leigh Morris chose a mossy green from Color Atelier to lend aged appeal to her space.

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Boho design is all about uniqueness, and that extends to the shape of your furniture. Instead of sticking to a standard design, look for a creative headboard that can double as art. In this city escape, designer Nick Olsen made an intricate curved and notched one—upholstered in bright fuchsia—the focal point of the space.

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The number-one rule of boho design? Don't take it too seriously! With an ethos this irreverent, there's always room for a playful touch or charming accent. The macramé hanging chair (complete with a cozy sheepskin) that Schuyler Samperton worked into her Miami Beach getaway is a fun example.

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Boho design may be notorious for its brighter color palettes, but every room needs a hit of black to ground it. In this stunning Los Angeles home, Nick Olsen anchored an assortment of reds, burgundies, and deep pinks with hits of black, namely through accessories and painted window casings.

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Put eclecticism at the forefront of your boho bedroom by trading the traditional art-focused gallery wall for something a bit more unexpected. In this New Jersey beach house (which belongs to the owner of Anthropologie), Colleen Bashaw hung a creative collection of mirrors—all with different wood detailing—above the headboard in place of artwork.

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News flash: Neutral colors can skew boho too! The key lies in your mix of textures, which should appear throughout your entire space to keep things visually interesting. This vacation home bedroom by Nicola Manganello offers up a master class on striking that perfect balance, incorporating everything from planked wood ceilings and woven lampshades to bouclé armchairs and a sheepskin rug.

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If you go hard in any singular vibe, you run the risk of your room feeling themed, which is why designers tend to mix elements from different styles and eras. To tone down the eccentricity of boho design, consider incorporating some traditional elements, as seen in this bedroom dreamed up by Color Drunk Designs for the 2023 Whole Home. Pro Jenna Gross teamed whimsical wallpaper and boho-esque prints with traditional furniture and timeless lighting for a look that'll last the ages.

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At its core, this primary suite is pretty simple, with white walls and streamlined furniture that doesn't lean too heavily in any one design direction. To make it stand out—and dip a toe gracefully into a boho aesthetic—Shazalynn Cavin Winfrey turned to vintage textiles, which she set in minimalistic black frames for a sleek yet collected look.

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While boho design is traditionally thought of as light and airy, there's no rule saying you can't experiment with its darker side. In her teenage son's bedroom, Shavonda Gardner combined inky black mudcloth-inspired wallpaper with a Moroccan pouf, patterned quilt, and neon sign for a space that's packed with personality.

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For a soft and billowy effect that just begs for an afternoon nap, hang a few sets of bed curtains. Traditionally seen on (and added to) canopy beds, this luxe addition calls to mind breezy poolside afternoons, but you can easily bring that feeling indoors. Here, Bailey Li added privacy to her loft "bedroom" and called attention to its soaring ceilings with gauzy curtains.

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