Scandi-boho style for living room decoration

A bohemian is “any man who delves into the arts with no other means of existence than art itself“. This was stated by Henry Murger in Scenes of Bohemian Life, the first literary work in which the term is mentioned. His characters are young artists or intellectuals with few resources who actually lived in Paris in 1845, the year in which the book published in 1851 is set.

Of course, they all lived in the Latin Quarter, the student district of the French capital. For Murger, in fact bohemia could only occur precisely in Paris and nowhere else and it is a transitory social state that can lead to recognition, illness or death, which shows the romantic spirit of the work.

Thanks to Murger’s publication but above all to its various adaptations for theater and opera – the most famous being Puccini’s La Bohème – the image of the bohemians has survived to the present day.

Bohemia, an unconventional lifestyle

The term ‘bohemian’, by the way, alludes to the culture of the gypsies, traditionally called “bohemians” in France because they came from the region of Bohemia, in today’s Czech Republic. Their ‘disorderly’ lifestyle compared to the bourgeois society of the time, as well as their social values, were adopted by artists and intellectuals, hence the transmutation of the name.

This way of life was also reflected in the decoration, with a carefree appearance and a striking and chaotic appearance, alien to the guidelines of etiquette, aesthetics and material obsession of the traditional bourgeois society. The interiors could be composed of very affordable pieces, yes, but they achieved thanks to the aesthetic taste and daring of their owners an attractive balance between comfort, freedom, creativity and authenticity.

Scandi-Boho style, the most fashionable unexpected combination

Over time the Bohemian style, or Boho for short, has been gaining more and more space in the most important editorials after having completely colonized the social networks with its bright colors, its maximalism, its mix of patterns, its abundance of plants, its love for crafts from all over the world and its imagination when it comes to giving new life to vintage or recycled objects.

Now however, Boho is allied with a curious traveling companion: Nordic decor, which we have already talked about extensively, characterized by being austere, simple, minimalist, harmonious, neutral tones. How is it possible, then, the combination of two poles so opposite?

The answer lies in Scandi-Boho, a seemingly impossible mix that nevertheless works! Born also in the heat of social networks, this new trend gives rise to interiors in soft colors with accents of natural fibers, plants – an addition naturally present in both styles – ethnic but not garish patterns and cozy textures.

How to use the Scandi-Boho style to decorate the living room?

To get it right when bringing Scandi-Boho style to your living room there are several keys:

1. Scandi-Boho style to decorate the living room: light-colored walls.

Since the Bohemian style tends to colorful and maximalism, nothing like attenuate it with a blank canvas or at most in neutral tones like light grays. The floors, better if they are also kept discreet; the Scandi-Boho style uses a lot of wood.

2. Handcrafted pieces, a must in the Scandi-Boho style to decorate the living room.

Both Scandinavian and Boho décor make extensive use of handcrafted pieces because what is made in this way connects with nature, but also with the tradition of distant cultures. An example? The Waterloo tall stool made of untreated laurel wood, ethnic in style thanks to its seat upholstered in multicolored braided textile, which will give the necessary eye-catching touch in a neutral interior. Of course, it is handmade.

3. Scandi-Boho style living room decor works best with elements that invite ‘play’.

We saw before that in the dissolute and disorderly lifestyle of the bohemians, they tended to break the rules, prioritizing comfort, creativity and freedom above all else.

Therefore, it is more than interesting to introduce not only an abundance of cushions -better if they have different textures-, but also playful elements in the furniture, such as the Claudine rope hanging chair, a Nordic style Egg Chair.

It is made of natural-colored synthetic rope and metal, and it includes both the pleasant cushions and the steel support with chain and spring that makes the suspension more comfortable and safe. In addition, it is water and UV resistant.

4. To decorate the living room in the Scandi-Boho style, ally yourself with natural materials.

Both Scandinavian and Bohemian styles are fond of untreated natural materials, especially wood and vegetable fibers. Therefore, it is a good idea to include pieces entirely created in them such as the Bergen wooden lounge chair, folding, with solid tropical wood structure and seat and backrest in natural rattan grid. Its comfort also invites you to enjoy long conversations with friends, another of the most characteristic attributes of Nordic decoration with a hygge soul..

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5. Add references to ‘exotic cultures’ by using Scandi-Boho style to decorate the living room.

Gypsies, nomadic people par excellence, were in contact with multiple cultures through their travels. Perhaps that is why Bohemian decoration is characterized by exhibiting pieces that belong to or remind us of distant cultures. To fit in with the Scandi-Boho style, however, we have to make sure that these pieces are rather discreet.

An example that works? The Circle natural rattan chair, in an exotic style, with a natural rattan and pith structure, reminiscent of the Peacock chair known in Spain as Emmanuelle for appearing in the film of the same name? Well its origin is really exotic as it was formerly used as a royal throne in the South Pacific and Polynesia.

6. Recycled materials and objects to decorate the living room with the Scandi-Boho style.

The predominant idea of gypsies in 19th century France alluded to a rather austere life without great luxuries, the same as those intellectuals who launched themselves into an artistic career with no other parachute than their art itself.

Therefore, the Bohemian style made a virtue of necessity and recycled both materials and objects converting for example, a chair into a bedside table, a few cushions into a sofa or an old ladder into a bookshelf.

This is the style of the Liberto bookcase, with a rustic style and staircase shape made of recycled pine wood, so it has the marks and irregularities of the wear and tear caused by the passage of time. Precisely those that add charisma and personality to any Scandi-Boho style interior.

7. Plants, necessary if you want to use the Scandi-Boho style to decorate the living room.

We have already established that both Scandinavian and Bohemian styles have in common a great love for plants. In interiors dominated by the former, they are placed in an orderly fashion, in pots of neutral colors; in the latter, they colonize the space with their wildness, tucked into pots of all possible sizes, colors and textures.

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To balance both worlds, here’s an idea: opt for decorative plants such as this San Pedro Cactus, which comes with an elegant colored pot included that at the same time has an interesting texture. Plus, since it’s artificial, you won’t have to water it!

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8. Intimate and warm light, perfect when using the Scandi-Boho style to decorate the living room.

Para crear una atmósfera ensoñadora que a la vez invite al recogimiento, el estilo Scandi-Boho recoge una característica que comparten las tendencias Nórdica y Bohemia: el uso de diferentes puntos de iluminación que arrojan luz cálida, como la pantalla fabricada en rattan natural Hempy, sobria y exótica a la vez.

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Scandi-Boho style to decorate the living room, a safe bet

Achieving a balance between the Scandinavian and Bohemian styles is not easy, but when it is achieved, the result is suggestive and captivating. Thus, the Scandi-Boho style for decorating the living room achieves interiors that breathe calm thanks to the use of natural materials and neutral colors, but also encourage us to dream through the inclusion of touches of color, small handcrafted works and elements that invite to rest and play.

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