Designing a Modern Boho Space for a Couple Indie Chicks!

Jan 23, 2014 | Design Work | 9 comments


So recently I was asked for some decorating help from a friend and workmate, Becky, who has just moved into her first proper flat out of University with her mate Liz.  Both girls are single and in their early 20’s and they want a liveable space with a casual vibe and one where they can easily have a few friends around for drinks. Becky is the type of girl who feels more at home at a festival than at a fancy dinner party – a total indie chick, she’s cool and quirky with a good sense of humour and best of all, she always shares her coolest music finds with me!

Understandably, Becky wasn’t entirely sure how to tackle the large expanse of an open plan kitchen/living room and with a few pieces that came with her semi-furnished flat, she wanted to get some ideas on how to achieve a look that reflected both her and her friend’s style without spending a ridiculous amount of money. They intend to stay a while – at least a year or two – and naturally, they want it to feel like home.

I started with asking her to create a Pinterest board so that I can see what appealed to her and to send me some snapshots of her flat and the things that were definitely staying.  There were a number of items that came with the place (she’s renting) so we had to work those pieces into the design (which included 2 big dark brown sofas and a large matching chair) as well as a small dining table and chairs.  There is a thankfully neutral carpet but the walls are typical boring ‘magnolia’ – thankfully, she is allowed to paint!

I started off using Floorplanner.com and using some rough measurements, created a little 2D/3D model of her place.  The furniture and accessories shown were just place-holders for her to get an idea of how she might rearrange the furniture to make the best use of the space.

I suggested dividing up the space visually.  In the living area by using two inexpensive rugs butted up against each other – alone they are just 5′ x 7′ so far too small but by using two sat next to each other, we would be creating a much larger 7′ x 10′ rug (hello, budget solution! Doing this was much cheaper than buying one really large rug.) Using a small console table against the back of one of the sofas with some baskets beneath would create a sort of entrance area as you walk in the door along with a coat rack (something the space lacked) as well as giving them somewhere to throw post or their keys.  Another rug of a different but complimentary style would then delineate the dining area.

I asked her to choose a 5′ x 7′ rug that her and her friend both liked which would be the jumping off point for the whole scheme.   I sent them a link to Urban Outfitters for affordable options and this is the rug they chose:

I then used this rug as a springboard to put some moodboards together to ensure that the style I’d interpreted for Becky and her friend was something they both liked.

I noticed a lot of Becky’s pins had a casual boho feel and there was a lot of vintage style furnishings.  I decided to combine two different looks – Boho and Mid Century Modern.  It’s a mix of a hippy/California vibe (lots of textures and textiles, layers, plants, very casual, lots of vintage and hand crafted elements) mixed with Mid Century modern (unfussy lines, skinny peg legs and warm colours).  I think the styles work really well together without being too hippy-ish (which Boho can sometimes be) or too stark (which MCM can be) when used on their own.  It’s just a very casual, comfortable look that doesn’t take huge amounts of cash – just a bit of creativity – to emulate.

I then created a second moodboard to show some of the products that I thought she could use to get the look.  Some of the pieces will be sourced from eBay but the others are budget buys (Ikea, H&M, Homebase, Urban Outfitters) or DIY.  The sofas are just representative of what she has but are pretty close.

I suggested leaving the sideboard natural but painting the little console table that will sit behind the sofa in a fun colour like peach or mint to tie in with the rug in the living room.  The hex shelves are DIY but we’ve found some off-the-shelf in other colours if making them isn’t an option.  Even though the flat has vertical blinds, I suggested hanging inexpensive Ikea curtains above the 3 sets of sliding doors in breezy white to soften the look.

I’m on the lookout for some colourful throws as well to soften the big sofas and I’d also like to tie in a bit more copper to give it a little more shine but this is a good start anyway.  We’re also talking about creating a gallery wall on the largest wall that would extend to wrap around behind the television.  Oh and we all totally want to squeeze in a bar area somewhere in here!

I’ll have to let you know how we get on with the project – this is real life with real budgets so it’ll take time to complete!   And we still need to address the kitchen area.  But happily, so far, both really liked the look and are very excited to get started!  Hopefully, I’ll have more to share with you on this project so stay tuned…

So… what do you think of the modern boho look?

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Image credits 1st moodboard:  1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10  via Pinterest
Products in 2nd moodboard: via my Pinterest board


9 Comments

  1. jackie jade on January 23, 2014 at 2:43 pm

    love what you chose for them. using 2 smaller rugs is such a smart cost-effective idea. then if/when they move, the rugs can easily transition into other spaces. also love the idea of having that table behind the sofa for a drop spot. and you&#39;ve reminded me I need to get a coat rack. our living room closet is so far from the front door and tiny!<br />– jackie @ <a href="http://

  2. Anna / angel in the north on January 23, 2014 at 9:16 pm

    I&#39;ve been looking at your Pinterest board and thinking whoever &#39;Becky&#39; was her flat was going to look awesome! It&#39;s a great look and I love that rug.

  3. michele on January 24, 2014 at 6:48 am

    i think it&#39;s awesome when it&#39;s curated by you.<br /><br />michele

  4. Elly @ Caribbean Living on January 24, 2014 at 7:04 am

    Looks fab Kimberly, I love it! Those honeycomb shelving units are fun, and the copper accents are always my cup of tea! Fab inspo pics too. I look forward to seeing how the space ends up looking!

  5. Louise - 30s Magazine on January 24, 2014 at 11:16 am

    Nice! I recently photographed a home with the same style combo. I haven&#39;t published it yet though. They had a lot of vintage Dansih design combined with colorful rugs and a hippie vibe.

  6. Meera on January 24, 2014 at 9:00 pm

    Your approach is fantastic and your interpretation of their style seems spot on! So many people have to work with tight budgets and it&#39;s lovely to see how your ideas are fabulous and chic yet inexpensive – my kind of creative decorating :) Looking forward to seeing how this comes along, I know it&#39;ll be gorgeous! xx

  7. Candice on May 18, 2015 at 4:14 am

    Can you tell me the name / brand of the neutral geometric rug with the navy border on the final mood board? Thanks!

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