Even small nooks need a bit of artistic flair, especially if you’re a fan of farmhouse or cottage styles. The neutral shades of this vignette prove that a few accessories can make a big impact, including stacked books, plants, and baskets. I love how the small bookcase is part of the larger scene, with a tobacco basket and leafy wreath hung on the wall above completing the design.
20 Free Spirited Boho Bookshelf Ideas To Satisfy Your Soul
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Published: March 7, 2024
Updated: February 21, 2024
Boho style originated centuries ago during a time when strict social norms ruled. It became a term that described someone who lived an unconventional lifestyle and was marked with colorful patterns and loose, flowing fabric. Today, it’s marked by bright, jewel-toned colors, potted plants, and natural elements of wicker and wood. Best of all, there are few rules regarding creating a bohemian interior, leaving it to your imagination and whimsy!
If you’re like me and are overwhelmed by the idea of creating an entire boho oasis, start small with a few of our boho bookshelf ideas. Creating a bookcase with plants, bright colors, and organic textures is the perfect way to introduce yourself to this free-spirited style, and it can fit easily into an already minimalist or modern design. Take a look through our gallery of the best boho bookshelf ideas and take inspiration from what you see!
02 of Wicker and Wood Boho Bookshelf Ideas
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I adore built-in shelves for several reasons, especially for the custom and high-end look they produce in any home. I especially like the contrasting white and wood tones, which elevate the bohemian look of this living room. Wicker furniture and abundant plant life is a quick and easy approach to achieve a similar look in your space.
03 of Deep Teal Accent Wall With Wicker Decor
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I always try to incorporate splashes of color in my interiors, even though I am fiercely devoted to gray throughout most of my home. This deep teal accent wall looks even more stunning with wicker baskets in various sizes and designs, which add a natural texture and warmth. Colorful books on the short bookcase below demonstrate how to maximize style with only a few carefully chosen pieces.
04 of Neutral Corner With Natural Textures
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If you’re a fan of Bohemian style, we have a few pointers for you to help achieve this look in your home. Stick with neutral shades that give a timeless appearance to avoid repainting every few years. Add in plenty of wicker and jute accessories, and don’t forget to adorn your space with a few potted plants. Organic shapes and textures are fantastic ways to give a room a natural flair typical of boho designs.
05 of Colorful Orange Accent Wall
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Don’t shy away from color, especially if you love making a statement in your designs. My attention was captured by this charming bedroom, which showcases a feature wall layered in different shapes and shades of orange and accessorized with an arched wicker bookcase and sunburst mirror. Keep the rest of the room’s furniture and fixtures neutral to keep the focus on your colorful design.
06 of Traditional Fireplace With Wicker Accessories
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Traditional homes can sometimes appear stuffy and outdated, especially if the designer leans into a classic design without any contemporary accents. Try adding a few modern accessories with warm textures, like a wicker-framed mirror and a matching bookcase. These pieces pull the classic white mantel and fireplace into the present-day with their organic materials and natural wood tone.
07 of Light, Neutral Living Room With Black Accents
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If you love a cohesive and pristine design, stick with light, neutral shades throughout your living room. The overall look is clean and calm, with a few black accents to add contrast. The black and light wood bookshelves are decorated with white and black accessories, matching the modern art on the wall nearby.
08 of Dark Bookcase Focal Point in Airy Seating Room
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Bohemian designs and natural light go hand-in-hand, which is the inspiration behind this charming seating area. The window pours bright sunlight into the living room, which features warm wood floors, light walls, and matching cream-colored chairs. The ladder bookcase is the only dark element, which adds a strong visual focal point, especially with the light, natural accessories it displays.
09 of Earth Tone Nursery With Natural Accents
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Rich, warm colors are making a comeback, adding depth and drama to your interior design. The earth tones of this nursery are amplified with vertical, natural wood and dark forest green walls. Even the wooden bookcases hung with adorable outfits and wicker baskets fit into this theme. Don’t forget to add in a few lighter elements, like the crib and white floors, to lighten the space and prevent it from feeling closed in.
10 of Funky Bookcase Plant Display
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Fun and unusual shapes are so much fun to experiment with and are a perfect fit for a boho-inspired design. I would absolutely use this fun bookcase to display my many plants in an interesting new way. Make sure to balance the look with a few decorative pieces that allow your plants to take center stage.
11 of Decorating Alcove Shelves in Boho Bedroom
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Built-in alcoves can be a challenge to decorate, especially if you don’t want them to become a catch-all for items you’re not sure where to use. Be intentional with your design, such as in this bedroom, where black and wood shelves are decorated with miniature potted plants that don’t need much light. The minimal design includes draped lights and creative modern art that matches the natural shades of the bed below.
12 of Colorful Living Room With Dark Floral Wallpaper
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Bright colors and bold wallpaper make a statement that you won’t forget. The floral pattern on the black wallpaper makes it easy to incorporate other colors throughout this living room, from the green sofa with yellow pillows to the funky zebra print and rainbow-themed books on the wooden shelves. Don’t be afraid to experiment with color in your design if it makes you happy!
13 of Minimal Bookshelf Decor for a Big Statement
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Perhaps I’m more of a maximalist at heart, but I’m always tempted to over-fill my shelves to display all my treasures and knick-knacks. This modern wooden bookcase reminds me that a few thoughtfully chosen pieces can make an even greater impact, especially when they’re color-coordinated so well. The white brick wall is the perfect backdrop for the light-colored books and sculptures, which are accented with a few plants for a splash of green.
14 of Playful Shapes in Neutral Living Room
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One of my biggest shortcomings regarding home decor is taking risks with my accessories. I often play it safe, unlike this gorgeous living room that plays with different shapes and textures. The rounded vase on the coffee table is mimicked in the woven floor pouf and funky light fixture. The black shelves in the corner match the black fabric found on the throw pillows. I might just be inspired to try something new in my next style update!
15 of Modern, Bohemian Accents in Stunning Living Room
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A Large statement mirror is an easy way to make any room seem more spacious and stylish. When placed next to shelves decorated with white sculptures and vases, the overall effect is modern and stylish. The macrame side table and wicker plant bring elements of both contemporary and bohemian style to the space.
16 of Home Office With a Colorful Blue Ceiling
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Gone are the days of white ceilings! I see more and more examples of colorful rooms painted with a funky color on the ceiling. Sometimes, the color matches the shade on the walls; other times, it’s painted as a statement. The gorgeous blue shade of this ceiling draws my eye up, taking in the fun black and wicker light fixture while balancing the colorful rug below. The walls are minimally decorated with neutral accessories on a floating shelf and bookcase, which allows the focus to remain on the more colorful elements in the room.
17 of Plant-life Decor Inspiration
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If you really want your potted plants to be the focus of your home decor, make sure you don’t distract from them with too many accessories and decorations. Instead, let the plants shine by placing them next to sleek, minimal accessories. The boxy shelves along the back wall exhibit this approach, with only one plant to accessory in each section. The neutral gray walls and light wood floors are a soft background that allows the plants to be the main feature of the decor.
18 of Deep Blue Kid’s Room With Wicker Furniture
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Contrasting colors is a fantastic way to make a visual impact, as seen in this adorable kid’s room. The deep blue of the vertical shiplap walls pops against the yellow sheets and colorful pillows on the bed below. Using wicker furniture make the room look more mature, which is an excellent way to help your child’s room transition along with them as they grow.
19 of Mid-century Modern Credenza Inspiration
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The more I see of mid-century modern design, the more I’m inspired to incorporate elements in my home. This gorgeous credenza uses vertical wooden slates to create the clean lines and minimalist look the style is known for. Select just a few decorations in dark, moody colors, such as stacked bowls, books, and potted plants, to keep the look uncluttered.
20 of Plant Lover’s Corner Display
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Plant lovers will rejoice in this verdant corner, which displays leafy potted plants of all different varieties. The light, bright walls are minimally decorated, which allows the arched wicker bookshelf to become the shining star of the room. I especially like how this homeowner chose a decorative wicker wall hanging and pampas grass to add a bit of style to the scene.
