Boho Chic Living on a Budget

Let’s be honest. With the ongoing pandemic and the need to be safe, we are all at home a LOT more. Like… a lot, a lot. So what better time than now to finally make your home your haven? One that is welcoming, cozy, and reflects your personal needs and style. I like to describe my personal style as boho chic living on a budget. And in today’s blog I detail some of the ways I styled my own living room to fit my eclectic taste and modest budget. If like me, you are also boho chic living on a budget, go on ahead and grab your pen and pad cause your girl is dropping links and gems.

^{*Disclosure: Some of the below links are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.}

Texture, Pattern, and Color

When it comes to boho chic, flat is wack. Sorry, not sorry.

Now if you are into minimalism, white walls, and empty spaces – we can still be friends. I promise. In fact, I’ve seen some amazing minimalist designs that have made me want a loft of my own! But today is just not your day. Because today we’re taking textures, patterns, and colors. Three necessities to consider when aiming for all the boho feels you’re craving.

Texture refers to the feel, appearance, or consistency of an item. Think apple verses peach. You can tell by the touch or even just by sight that one is hard and smooth, while the other is fuzzy and prickly. In decor terms, think satin pillow verses shaggy pillow. Both have their place in a laid out space, but one will never be mistaken for the other. In your personal decor, consider mixing textures to give your room excitement, movement, and life.

The same with patterns and colors. Think stripes, dots, houndstooth, and checkers. When you thought of those patterns, what colors came to mind? Did you say black and white? You said black and white, didn’t you? Especially when it came to the houndstooth, I know. It’s ok. But allow yourself permission to go ahead and expand that palette. Blues, greens, golds, purples… don’t be afraid to mix and match, even if it’s showcased in a small items.

In my living room, I swapped out the low pile carpet-like rug I initially had for a cross-hatched rug with fringes! With creme as a base color, I opted to use my gallery wall, house plants, and throw pillows to fill out the room. I also contrasted the bold weaving of the rug with the buttery smooth cognac leather of the ottoman. And this particular ottoman is budget-friendly at only $35 because it comes un-stuffed! I filled mine with extra linens and blankets 🙂

Now I purchased a lot of my items in stores like Homegoods, Target, and Hobby Lobby. But I’m also a fan of online shopping and so I’ve linked to a few items for your browsing convenience as well like this Kingrol 2 Pack Vintage Area Rugs and this Well Woven Cenar Grey Flat-Weave Hi-Low Pile Diamond Medallion Stripes Moroccan Tribal Area Rug that I kind of wish I saw before I purchased mine! I also ADORE this Southwestern Hand Knotted Wool Grey Area Rug along with this Reagan Chevron Off White Area Rug, both from Wayfair.

Layers on Layers

For a little over two years, I had the opportunity to live in New York. One thing I learned quick, fast, and in a hurry was that in order to make it through winter alive… you had to layer up! There was just no getting around it. And I, one who particularly hates to be cold, adjusted quick and piled it on (in the cutest way possible of course).

So in styling my boho chic living room on a budget, it also just made sense to bring the layers inside. Layers provide a certain kind of depth and warmth, and that’s the feeling I wanted for my space. It should say come, have a seat, be warm and feel cozy. Therefore layering throw pillows (again with different textures, colors, and patterns) along with throw blankets, on top of the indigo blue convertible sofa, which is on top of the creme woven rug, which is on top of the wood plank floors… layers. And then I also added my egg chair swing, which is probably the most creative layer in the room!

Please Sweat the Small Stuff

I know that may sound counter intuitive, but I mean it – sweat the small stuff. Small stuff matters. But what actually constitutes small stuff? For the purpose of this article, anything that can easily be moved. Anti-furniture. Think candles, plants, book(ends), C-tables, diffusers for essential oils, blanket ladders, chunky blankets, coasters… anything! Things that are almost always present but, depending on the amount of thought given to it, can either amplify your aesthetic or detract from it altogether.

In every space, there are those little delicate touches that determine if a room feels like it was conceived by accident or by design. I wanted my boho chic living room to feel like it was here on purpose. And I’ve included links to a few of the small things I think every room can use to make it feel intentionally amazing.

Make it Make Sense

Now here would be a good place to remind you that I’m not suggesting you add mounds of textures and colors and layers and patterns just for the sake of cluttering up a space and calling it boho.

That’s not what we trying to do here. You have to make it make sense for you and your style. It still needs to be both livable and functional. For instance, I have a lot of throw pillows and racks of blankets because I spend a lot of time on my sofa and like to snuggle up. The creme woven rug with the cotton bubbles and seams not only looks amazing but feels great on my feet. This is important because I don’t wear shoes in the house and am almost always barefoot. Plus, I chose one that was lightweight so that I can easily move it out of the way when I need the wood floor to do my workouts. Livable and functional. Words to live by.

So when you’re planning out your next boho chic living on a budget space, I hope this helps! Maybe some of the core ideas presented and even links to specific items will help you make it creative and fun! I included goodies that could fit into any budget, and a variety of ideas to warm any space. Plus, if you feel you could benefit from a more personalized approach,why not book a virtual home decor consultation with me today! It’s super fun and easy, and includes an online questionnaire and live video session. We’ll review your needs, I’ll plan out my suggestions, and together we’ll get your space right!

Are you a fan of boho chic design? Did any of these ideas help you plan out your next renovation? What are your favorite must-have items for your boho space? Don’t be shy, let me know in the comments!