Introducing Boho Glam: How to Get the Look
If you're a little bit hippie yet a little bit luxe, a boho glam interior could be just the right look for your home
Karen Wilson
29 February 2016
UK based Houzz contributor and freelance property and interiors journalist with experience in both the regional press and national magazines. I've picked up loads of tips from homeowners and experts alike, having visited hundreds of gorgeous real homes across the North of England.
UK based Houzz contributor and freelance property and interiors journalist with experience... More
Are you drawn towards the relaxed vibe of a bohemian retro scheme, with its seemingly ‘thrown together’ ambience? But do you also have a magpie-like urge to include glam metallic accessories, luxe textiles and opulent jewel colours? If so, then boho glam, a striking blend of relaxed style and luxurious glamour, is the look for you. Here’s how to combine two design worlds to create a very happy union.
Pick a peacock chair
If there’s one item that screams 1970s boho, it’s the iconic peacock chair. Although mostly associated with hippy chicks in floaty floral dresses strumming guitars, this attention-grabbing, fan-tailed wicker beauty can trace its origins to Southeast Asia in the 17th century.
Having bobbed in and out of fashion over the years, it’s seeing a resurgence in popularity once more, and is the perfect piece if you want to play with scale and add height into a room that has low-slung seating.
The return of the peacock chair
If there’s one item that screams 1970s boho, it’s the iconic peacock chair. Although mostly associated with hippy chicks in floaty floral dresses strumming guitars, this attention-grabbing, fan-tailed wicker beauty can trace its origins to Southeast Asia in the 17th century.
Having bobbed in and out of fashion over the years, it’s seeing a resurgence in popularity once more, and is the perfect piece if you want to play with scale and add height into a room that has low-slung seating.
The return of the peacock chair
Combine wicker and sheepskin
Whether it’s a classic peacock, tub or circular chair with hairpin legs, wicker and rattan have an unmistakably laid-back boho feel that evokes the 1970s like nothing else.
This makes them the perfect bedfellow for sheepskin, with its luxe look and equally retro connotations, providing a fail-safe combo that will ramp up the boho glam factor no end. Why not add some edge with a grey or black sheepskin, if the usual white option feels a bit too ordinary?
Whether it’s a classic peacock, tub or circular chair with hairpin legs, wicker and rattan have an unmistakably laid-back boho feel that evokes the 1970s like nothing else.
This makes them the perfect bedfellow for sheepskin, with its luxe look and equally retro connotations, providing a fail-safe combo that will ramp up the boho glam factor no end. Why not add some edge with a grey or black sheepskin, if the usual white option feels a bit too ordinary?
Add a bar trolley
This stylish vintage bar trolley encapsulates the glam boho look all by itself. Its mid-century styling ticks the boho box, while the choice of material – a glorious gold – ensures the glam factor is also there. Now all that’s left is to style it up with a fabulously OTT cocktail shaker, elegant glasses in jewel colours and beautifully designed spirit bottles that look so good, you’ll (almost) be reluctant to empty them.
Let the good times roll!
This stylish vintage bar trolley encapsulates the glam boho look all by itself. Its mid-century styling ticks the boho box, while the choice of material – a glorious gold – ensures the glam factor is also there. Now all that’s left is to style it up with a fabulously OTT cocktail shaker, elegant glasses in jewel colours and beautifully designed spirit bottles that look so good, you’ll (almost) be reluctant to empty them.
Let the good times roll!
Avoid uniformity
If you have two of anything, whether it’s lamps, chairs or rugs, make one glam and one boho. For instance, this open-plan reception room feels so much more informal with an animal print rug (glam) and a geometric rug (boho) to highlight the two different zones.
If you have two of anything, whether it’s lamps, chairs or rugs, make one glam and one boho. For instance, this open-plan reception room feels so much more informal with an animal print rug (glam) and a geometric rug (boho) to highlight the two different zones.
Make room for plants
For an instant boho vibe that will bring your scheme to life, add some plants. Pick a specimen with large leaves, such as a philodendron, to make a big, bold statement or, for an instant hit of 1970s nostalgia, opt for a rubber plant, low-maintenance succulents or a spider plant in a hanging macramé basket.
In this living room, the wildness of the greenery is balanced with a luxe chesterfield, sparkly cushions and a glam, marble-topped coffee table.
Make a macramé plant hanger
For an instant boho vibe that will bring your scheme to life, add some plants. Pick a specimen with large leaves, such as a philodendron, to make a big, bold statement or, for an instant hit of 1970s nostalgia, opt for a rubber plant, low-maintenance succulents or a spider plant in a hanging macramé basket.
In this living room, the wildness of the greenery is balanced with a luxe chesterfield, sparkly cushions and a glam, marble-topped coffee table.
Make a macramé plant hanger
Mix in tribal prints
What makes this bedroom so appealing is the introduction of relaxed boho touches into an otherwise Art Deco-style glam scheme. The stylish white bedhead, with its piped edging, and the glass-topped bedside table shout glam boudoir, but the elephant cushion and ethnic-print throw bring in a whole new laid-back vibe. It shouldn’t work, but somehow it does.
What makes this bedroom so appealing is the introduction of relaxed boho touches into an otherwise Art Deco-style glam scheme. The stylish white bedhead, with its piped edging, and the glass-topped bedside table shout glam boudoir, but the elephant cushion and ethnic-print throw bring in a whole new laid-back vibe. It shouldn’t work, but somehow it does.
Make a feature of lighting
Lighting in a boho glam room should shout ‘look at me’, with as many sources as possible competing for attention.
Mix a floor lamp, a colourful chandelier and table lamps together, but just make sure they don’t match! Ornate embellishments, such as fringing and beading, will maximise those boho credentials, while bases with metallic and shiny surfaces will add the glam factor.
More clever lighting ideas
Lighting in a boho glam room should shout ‘look at me’, with as many sources as possible competing for attention.
Mix a floor lamp, a colourful chandelier and table lamps together, but just make sure they don’t match! Ornate embellishments, such as fringing and beading, will maximise those boho credentials, while bases with metallic and shiny surfaces will add the glam factor.
More clever lighting ideas
Go to town with metallics
Touches of silver, gold, brass or copper will add instant glamour to your scheme, but they don’t have to be confined to accessories such as lamps, mirrors and picture frames.
Copy this look and use a metallic wall paint to create a stunning backdrop for your scheme. Here, the contrasting bold rug, quirky artwork and Moroccan-style brass frette stools provide the boho vibe.
Touches of silver, gold, brass or copper will add instant glamour to your scheme, but they don’t have to be confined to accessories such as lamps, mirrors and picture frames.
Copy this look and use a metallic wall paint to create a stunning backdrop for your scheme. Here, the contrasting bold rug, quirky artwork and Moroccan-style brass frette stools provide the boho vibe.
Be daring with dark walls
The moody luxe trend for dark walls is the perfect backdrop for a boho glam scheme.
Here, the mishmash of styles is truly boho (who’d have thought striped and leopard print cushions would work together?) yet it screams opulence thanks to the plush velvet bedhead and metallic accessories.
Embrace the dark side
The moody luxe trend for dark walls is the perfect backdrop for a boho glam scheme.
Here, the mishmash of styles is truly boho (who’d have thought striped and leopard print cushions would work together?) yet it screams opulence thanks to the plush velvet bedhead and metallic accessories.
Embrace the dark side
Steal some Moroccan style
Still not sure where to begin with creating the boho glam look? Then why not pick an exotic destination to inspire your scheme? Morocco is the obvious choice, as its style tenets – bright, bold colours, an abundance of pattern and gorgeous ornate metallic accessories – overlap with the key hallmarks of boho glam.
Start with a beautiful Moroccan-style rug and build up the colour scheme from there. Don’t forget finishing touches, such as panels featuring fretwork that can be painted to tie in.
TELL US
How do you make the boho glam look work in your home? Share your ideas, tips and photos in the Comments below.
MORE
Gypsy in Your Soul: 10 Steps to a Bohemian Bedroom
Heavy Metals: 12 Rooms With Dazzling Metallic Decor
How to Channel Your Inner ‘New Bohemian’
Still not sure where to begin with creating the boho glam look? Then why not pick an exotic destination to inspire your scheme? Morocco is the obvious choice, as its style tenets – bright, bold colours, an abundance of pattern and gorgeous ornate metallic accessories – overlap with the key hallmarks of boho glam.
Start with a beautiful Moroccan-style rug and build up the colour scheme from there. Don’t forget finishing touches, such as panels featuring fretwork that can be painted to tie in.
TELL US
How do you make the boho glam look work in your home? Share your ideas, tips and photos in the Comments below.
MORE
Gypsy in Your Soul: 10 Steps to a Bohemian Bedroom
Heavy Metals: 12 Rooms With Dazzling Metallic Decor
How to Channel Your Inner ‘New Bohemian’
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I love the bar trolley, is it a one-off, or can I purchase something similar online?
That first photo is amazing. It's kind of like boho glam's evil twin and I am all for it.
Thank you for featuring us. Great article.