4 Reasons These Designers Are Over Boho Style

Is Boho Still in Style, and Should You Try It at Home?

By
Marisa Donnelly
Marisa Donnelly 2
Marisa Donnelly
Marisa Donnelly is a lifestyle expert and writer with over a decade of experience sharing her knowledge about what home decor reveals about personalities. Her bylines have also appeared on HuffPost, Bustle, and BossBabe.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 07/14/23
A messy boho style bedroom

brizmaker / Getty Images

Here’s an unpopular opinion: it might be time to move on from boho-style decor. While there’s still so much to love about this eclectic, unique style—from the plant decor and wild colors to the macrame wall hangings—sometimes there’s a mismatch between what the design attempts to create and what people actually put in their homes and bedrooms.  

What Is Bohemian Style?

Bohemian style, also called boho design, is home decor that mixes and matches an eclectic assortment of relaxed, unusual, and bold items of many colors, patterns, and textures. The style is derived from the term "bohemian," which is a person living an unconventional lifestyle. Bohemian style is the opposite of modern, minimal decor.

The key elements of boho decor include a layering of plants, macrame items, mismatched rugs, and unique lighting. There are no rules in boho-style decor, so warm and earthy tones are often layered with saturated jewel tones, such as deep purples, fiery oranges, and electric blues.

We turned to the experts to get their take on boho-inspired decor, and here are four reasons why they think the boho interior design trend may be leaving.

  • 01 of 04

    Boho Style Isn’t Actually Trendy Anymore

    A boho style living room

    KatarzynaBialasiewicz / Getty Images

    Design trends are always changing. What’s ‘in’ one month won’t necessarily be current the next. And, as far as boho style goes, some design experts actually think that it has reached its peak. 

    “[There’s already been] a decrease in boho layers and clutter,” shares Lauren Martin, Founder of LM Design Associates. At first, Martin had attributed this shift to bigger cities and their fast-paced culture—for example, New York City. But more recently she’s seen a shift in California, too.

    Not to mention people have been spending much more time at home recently, and more homes are beginning to embrace the ‘less is more’ philosophy.

  • 02 of 04

    It’s Actually Just a Big Mess

    A display of boho design accents

    FollowTheFlow / Getty Images

    “Perhaps Cher Horowitz said it best, ‘Up close…it’s a big ole’ mess,'” says Jennifer Braidwood, Owner & Product Designer at BRAID & WOOD Design Studio. “Oftentimes the boho design style is synonymous with a tsunami of wicker and rattan, an assault of layered global patterns, or quite simply…just a whole lot of ‘stuff.’”

    From the baskets and bins (that don’t always go together) to the multiple wall hangings and bright, mismatched colors, sometimes the vision and the execution of the style don’t quite connect.  

    “Boho design can be done tastefully,” Braidwood continues, “But right now there’s a lot of bad boho out there.”  

    Let’s be honest, while boho style can be beautiful, there’s an element of disorder that just can’t be ignored. And especially when it comes to our homes, spaces that are intended to be comforting, having a style that feels cluttered and disorganized is not ideal for some.

  • 03 of 04

    It Can Be Expensive

    A seating area in a boho living room

    Artjafara / Getty Images

    Designing a room or entire house can be pricey—regardless of what trend you lean towards. But when it comes to boho style, that price range can be pushed to the extreme.  

    “To achieve this style, there are a lot of elements needed,” says Andrew Barker, Founder of HomeownerCosts, “Aside from the colors, the boho style has specific materials and types of furniture requirements. It can be costly especially if you are on a budget.”  

    This unrealistic financial expectation may lead to other design issues. As people strive to create the look in their homes, they settle for the next best thing, which can often lead to a mismatch of items and colors that, while cheaper in price, become cheaper in presentation too.  

  • 04 of 04

    It's Overwhelming

    A cluttered seating area

    FollowTheFlow / Getty Images

    Clutter and busyness can be overwhelming. As we consider recent trend shifts, people are quick to lean towards minimalistic concepts and a ‘keep it simple’ philosophy.  

    “With hectic lives leading to an increase in stress, whether that is from the workplace or anything else in daily life, people are going to want their homes to be a sanctuary,” says Ryan Jones, Founder of Land of Rugs, “Minimalism is a great way to do this, and has been proven to reduce stress. Boho, with all its layers, is essentially a fancy way of adding clutter to a home.”  

    And as we move into the next year, experts believe that boho style will continue to lessen in preference and importance. “People are shifting towards a desire to un-clutter their homes and settle into a simplistic low maintenance style of living,” says Braidwood, "After all, our homes have been our sanctuaries, our offices, and our classrooms over this last year."

    “Plus,” Braidwood adds, “No one wants to spend their Saturday dusting 25 wicker baskets.”