​Are you looking to live your best boho life? With a nearly endless amount of textures, patterns, and decor options to consider, this is a fun design theme to incorporate into your space. You can design your entire living area with bohemian flair or add subtle elements for a pop of visual interest.
 
No matter how you choose to design your boho space, let's talk about the fundamentals of this style and your must-have items.

Now that you know the back story about boho style, it's time to create this care-free appeal in your own space. Consider the following boho design ideas to leave you feeling inspired:
 
Boho Furniture
What is boho furniture? Look for minimalist items and side chairs crafted from wicker or bamboo. You can also incorporate furniture with a hint of antique flair, or items that are slightly worn and weathered.
 
You also don't want to overcrowd the room with furniture as the idea is to create an airy space.
 
However, the fun part about selecting boho furniture is finding what speaks to you. It's all about the free-spirited and individualist look.

The Best Colors for Boho Decor
What colors are best for a boho-style living room? Neutral colors help achieve the calm and dreamy allure of boho. You'll find a lot of brown with boho as well as black. Earthy tones complement this design also.
 
If you wish to add an exotic touch, consider a splash of burgundy or even leopard print.
Have Fun with Playful PatternsSpeaking of leopard print, patterns in general are a great choice for boho living rooms. You'll find a variety of eye-catching prints to use with boho, such as geometric and tribal. Cushions, rugs, pillows and throw blankets can all be layered up with boho patterns.
 
The pattern you choose should match your personality, but feel free to mix it up so it doesn't look like a "matchy-matchy" room. You don't have to stick with a particular color palette, either. The pattern can be neutral as long as it's still interesting.
 
Turn up the Boho Flair with Texture
Just like patterns, texture is another staple element of boho style. Think in terms of fringe, lace, or even crochet.
 
For example, you can feature a throw pillow on your sofa that has an embroidered geometric print. This incorporates the pattern and texture components of boho design.

Perk up Your Space with Plants
One of the last boho design elements to consider is plants and greenery. Since you are using mostly neutral tones throughout your space, greenery adds some color without overwhelming the overall style. Place a couple of plants on your coffee table, some on bookshelves or in corners to add some charm.
 
Be warned that not all plants are easy to maintain. A cactus, succulents, or a small indoor tree are great choices without a lot of maintenance. There are also fake plants that you can choose that look quite realistic.
 
With these tips in mind, you're well on your way to a boho-chic living space that you'll never want to leave.

I don’t know about you, but I’m over the minimalist trend. While it’s easy to appreciate a neat and tidy home, something about the aesthetic leaves a lot to be desired. Where’s the excitement? Where’s the personality? And where, oh where, are the colors?
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Enter maximalism, a daring and dramatic design trend that’s anything but boring. Blending rich colors, bold patterns, sumptuous textures, and layers upon layers of decorative accents, the maximalist aesthetic is a stunning symphony of sensory delight. Whether you find yourself feeling limited by conventional décor schemes, or you simply want your space to reflect the many facets of your personality, this exciting trend offers endless inspiration to design the home of your dreams.

But how do you pull off such an over-the-top aesthetic without making your space look cluttered? There is a big difference between maximalism and mess, but there’s also a method to the max-ness. Here are a few ideas you can incorporate to strike just the right balance and make maximalism work for you.

1.Consider a triadic color scheme. One of the hallmarks of maximalist décor is its dramatic use of color - the brighter, the better! A triadic color scheme is a great strategy for choosing a variety of bold, bright hues that complement rather than clash.

In color theory, a triadic color scheme combines three different colors that are evenly spaced apart on the color wheel. To keep things simple, bear in mind that the basic color wheel contains four potential combinations:

• Red, blue, and yellow
• Violet, green, and orange
• Yellow-green, red-orange, and blue-violet
• Blue-green, red-violet, and yellow-orange (my personal favorite!)

And of course, don’t forget about the blacks, whites, and neutrals that can really make those colors pop!

2.Display, display, display. Perhaps your collection of seashells or souvenirs is collecting dust in a drawer. Or maybe you’re tired of pulling out a photo album to relive your favorite memories. Whatever the case may be, maximalist décor leaves plenty of room to experiment with decorative display. Ideally, every wall and surface should be adorned with things you love to look at!

You might consider dedicating a wall to a floor-to-ceiling arrangement of framed photos and art. Decorative accents like plants, mirrors, art sculptures and tapestries are great for adding visual appeal. And definitely don’t shy away from accent tables and shelves. Not only do these pieces add dimension to décor - they also create the perfect home for curios, collectibles, heirlooms, and more.

3.Bring on the boldness. Who says you can’t have more than one statement piece? If you’re struggling to choose between a commanding Chesterfield sofa and a modern accent chair wrapped in bright, patterned fabric, a maximalist décor scheme gives you the freedom to incorporate both styles - and more!

Maximalist décor is, above all else, bold, and it will never have just one focal point. Think funky, statement-making furniture, dramatic area rugs, sparkly chandeliers, and lots of colorful art. And don’t be afraid to draw inspiration from a variety of different design aesthetics. Much like the eclectic décor trend, the maximalist home includes a little bit of everything.

4.Play with patterns. Mixing patterns is not for the meek. (Neither is maximalism, for that matter!) Even if most of us wouldn’t want to include multiple patterns in one outfit, there’s a way to make it work when it comes to home decor. You could consider a mix of paisleys, plaids, and polka dots that are all the same color. You could also choose a variety of pieces from the same family of patterns – think animal prints, geometrics, or different sized stripes. Although it may take some experimenting to create the look you like, bold patterns are an essential element of maximalist design.

5.Remember that it’s not about “stuff.” If you want to create a maximalist home that doesn’t look cluttered, remember that it’s not just about filling up space. Maximalism isn’t about cramming a room full of random items. It’s about creating a bold blend of colors, patterns, and textures that capture the senses like candy to the eye. It’s about decorating your space with items you love and that reflect your unique personality.
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No matter which décor scheme you choose for your home, there’s one rule of thumb to keep in mind. Whether it’s fashion, functionality, or just plain fun, every item in your home should serve a purpose. This guideline is true for any decor scheme – even maximalism! Maximalism’s heavy focus on fashion and fun sets this showstopping design trend apart from the rest. 

Conventional wisdom says it’s often harder to settle on décor for a newborn’s nursery than a main living space, and given the heightened anticipation of a brand new life, it’s not surprising. That there are millions of configurations, styles, genres, and colors makes it that much more confusing. Welcome to parenting, where making choices is an endless obligation.

Design gurus at HGTV caution against bold, bright colors for infants, if that helps. They tap into psychology to explain that basic primary tones such as black, white, and gray are instantly absorbed by wee ones. Okay, we’ll bite. Let’s explore a gray base – topped off with a bit of soft color.

Gender-neutral is a trend we can go for, so here’s a compilation we like.
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Let’s start with the most noticeable feature of a nursery or any room: wall coverings. Paint is fine, but why not create a narrative with a decorative swan theme? This gender-neutral, pale green wallpaper offers a soothing arrangement of regal swans, adding the inspiration of nature and wildlife.

Heeding the tone advice from HGTV, we’ll settle on gray for basic furnishings. This crib is not only crisp and stylish, but it’s convertible. It grows with your baby’s development and becomes a toddler bed, which is a definite plus. It’s also versatile and attractive, and available in a soft shade of gray. Paired with a gray changing table, and you’re well on your way.

Those 2 a.m. wakeup calls benefit from a comfy rocking chair, and this one caught our eye. Its classic stripe pattern incorporates gray with a soft cream to coordinate with your wallpaper in a totally trendy way.
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You’ll need illumination to avoid bumping into nursery staples, and this elegant light – though not technically a swan element – weaves in a similar species with its gooseneck design, as well as saves surface space with its wall mount.

Got wood floors? Kick around the idea of a cheerful rug that ties in the palette we’ve assembled so far. The spotted and striped pattern of this festive hand-made nursery rug sparks an extra level of uplifting attitude.
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Accessories count! The simple artistry of this theme-building swan mobile delivers a subtle yet charming look. 

​Finally, a storage basket is a must-have for nurseries, and we found one perfect for the occasion. This natural rattan basket continues the legendary swan theme as it infuses casual charm perfect for the ensemble we’ve created. 

It hit home just how ignored the master bedroom was when we moved last fall. Suddenly, I had a blank slate and the opportunity to start from scratch. But let’s be real: I’m a girl on a budget, so a full-on bedroom redesign isn’t in the cards. We decided we had three goals for this new bedroom:

1. Get rid of the clutter!
2. Add bedside lighting that matches and works for both of us.
3. Brighten it up.

So, clutter. The biggest thing there is to stop tossing stuff into the master that doesn’t belong there. The next thing is clearing surfaces. Added a few shelves and bins in the closet (bigger in this house, yay!) and that made clearing dresser and chest tops easy. Rearranged to get phone and tablet charging off of our nightstands, which helped SO MUCH in terms of keeping the room looking clean and streamlined.

Bedside lighting – this is where it got fun. My husband likes bright light at the bedside, my eyes are super-sensitive and exposed bulbs or weak shades/diffusers are a big no-go for me. In service of cutting clutter, we decided plug-in wall sconces were going to be our solution here. We just had to agree on a style. He wanted simple and functional, I wanted stylish and eye-catching. His suggestion was something like this classic swing arm wall lamp. Nothing wrong with it, but it’s nothing I’m getting excited about. I countered with this cool floating orb style, but he hated it. Cue my sad tears. But I get it, he’s a simple guy and these would definitely stand out every time he walked into the bedroom.
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A few long conversations later, he really wanted something adjustable for reading in bed. I really wanted a contemporary look and soft illumination. What’d we end up with? A pair of these: ​

He gets adjustable, I get a great diffuser (and added a dimmer!) and we both get the coordinated and composed look we were going for.

Our final task -- brightening up the bedroom -- took a little creativity because of the things we decided NOT to change. Namely the dark gray blackout curtains and medium gray quilt paired with black finish furniture. His suggestion was to add some white pillows to the bed. Sure, that’d help, but it’s boring. I ended up just coming home with throw pillows similar to these bright yellow, geometric beauties and trusting he wasn’t too invested in the pillows he tosses on the floor before crawling in bed at night. (Spoiler alert: He isn’t.)

The last major thing was a little more time consuming, but still fun. We created our own art with four fun frames, each with a different shade of yellow to create an ombre effect. We painted the frame and a panel to go inside in each of the four shades, and then hung them side by side to span the width of the bed. Simple, clean, modern, and definitely brightens up the bedroom!

​Final verdict? Easy changes that didn’t require too much cash and I LOVE the results. 

PANTONE® Color Institute Announces its 2021 Color of the Year
 
It’s tempting to see this as a piece of sardonic humor; a joke to cement the dire state of a twelve-month period unrivaled in recent US history. Most of us are hoping for a sunnier time head, but the realists at PANTONE® Color Institute—a commercial entity standardizing color tones—have made a selection for its color of the year 2021. And it’s a doozy.

But perhaps it makes total sense. It’s time to embrace gray with a little boost, and PANTONE®’s choice as the marquee shade duo for 2021 does just that.

For the first time ever, the showcased tone blends two independent existing shades, PANTONE® 17-5104 Ultimate Gray and PANTONE® 13-0647 Illuminating, a sunny yellow. The refined result reflects “a message of happiness supported by fortitude,” the entity claims. This hybrid gray-yellow tone is seen as adding vibrancy to an old favorite. That is inspiring.
 
A broad reach
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PANTONE® serves as an essential gauge for navigating through design projects, which are most often settled in the home décor sector, but also spill over into textiles and clothing, as well as graphic design for digital art. Interior design experts delight in the additions to PANTONE® color banks, and this year’s contribution is in keeping with fashion trends.

Gray has become a household favorite in home design. As this decade’s newest fashionable neutral, it replaces the whites, creams, and beiges from yesteryear. More homes than ever before are treated to decadent shades of gray in wall paint, flooring, furniture, and artistic décor.

In selecting its color-of-the-year designee, PANTONE® takes into account developing color influences that arise in pop culture, industrial design, art, fashion, and overall lifestyles. The year 2021 marks a shade of gray due to its bridging of seasonal factors, popularity in all areas of design, and a forecast of how it will shape the future of color choices. Adding the uplifting yellowed tone may be intended as a mood lift for those of us who have waded through a difficult year, which is pretty much everyone. Or, it might just be a lot of fun for designers.
 
Seeing is believing

Here are some of the ways our friends at PANTONE® look forward to 2021 with hope of prosperity, joy, and some epic design trends:

Hands Up to commemorate the 2021 two-shade tone.

The design-forward shades sharing PANTONE®’s annual award mesh beautifully in all forms of interior design.

A retro vibe captures the dynamic blend of gray and yellow with modernizing effects.

Special effects drive home the captivating blend of PANTONE®’s blended 2021 Color of the Year.

The last days of summer are upon us and it is important to take some important self-care tips to make sure you get some proper relaxation. Between work and family, it can be difficult to plan some time for yourself to de-stress your mind. Before the summer ends, give yourself a mental break by creating a peaceful place in your home to mediate. Meditation is a very useful technique to lower your stress levels and become more balanced. This is great for people dealing with anxiety or has to deal with very stressful situations for their profession. Either way, this guide can help create a summer meditation space.
 
You don’t have to splurge on fancy spa or travel to an expensive hotel to feel like you are treating yourself. Instead, consider turning your space into a peaceful sanctuary at home. A good staycation can still help you feel rejuvenated and renewed with the right steps. You can create a small meditation corner in any room in your home and make it feel calming so you can ease your nerves. Believe it or not, it’s still possible to feel you are on vacation even while you at home.
 
Start by picking out a corner in your favorite room. This can be any room in your home, it just has to be comfortable. The next step is selecting a few stones to put in your space. Things like amethyst, rose quartz, and others promote good energy to aide in your mental detox. Ideally you want a room with a decent amount of sunlight as well. Consider purchasing a small stand to place stones and a small candle or incense. Pick a scent that is very soothing like lavender. Add throw pillows or even a low-slung chair to get comfortable and for vibrancy.
 
The last step is the ambiance. If you don’t have a room with good natural light, consider purchasing a dimly lit lamp or add a couple more candles for soft lighting. Consider downloading a meditation or white noise app to help you focus on clearing your mind and finding your personal Zen. Once you’re ready, sit in a comfortable position, take a deep breath and relax. You will finally find the peace you deserve. 

I let the kids (well, teenagers, to be fair) put up the Christmas decorations this year. Scary? Yes. But they loved it and it turned out they did a really nice job. It’s turned into a welcomed update for our home. Not only that, it’s left empty the top of my sideboard in the dining room.

That can only mean one thing—it’s time to go shopping!

Browsing around got me thinking about exactly what I might want for that space, the vibe I wanted to create, the colors I wanted to use. Want I really wanted was to create a little vignette—a coordinated scene with pieces that fit together just right to tell a little story.
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My dining room is lovely, but’s not the least bit formal. Despite that, I wanted something a little more upscale for this space. The kids are getting older, I’m worried much less about the breaking things, and my tastes have changed since we acquired the bulk of our holiday decor. 

The opportunity to work from home seems like a dream come true. After all, who wouldn’t want to trade time clocks and micromanagement for more time with loved ones, a flexible schedule, and all the comforts of home at your fingertips at all times?
 
But if you’ve been lucky enough to achieve that dream, you know all too well that it comes with its own set of challenges. If you find yourself feeling uncomfortable and uninspired when you settle into your home office, it can be all too easy to succumb to distractions and actually get things done.
 
Setting aside a dedicated work space that’s comfy, creative, and ergonomic - a place you’re excited to go to work in each day - can do wonders for your productivity. Whether you’re just getting started or have been at it for a while, these home office upgrades can amplify creativity, eliminate distractions, and create a healthy environment you’ll be proud to work in.

​Doesn’t it seem like there was way more to do in the bath as a kid?
 
If you’re anything like me, sitting at a desk all day hurts my neck and back. I spend entire days dreaming of stepping into the bathtub and slipping away into calm, fragrant bliss but when I finally pour in epsom salts, I’m bored. Immediately. My record shortest bath? Three minutes. Which, apparently, is only 4 seconds longer than the record for world’s shortest bath. Anyway, I’m just glad that my current apartment doesn’t charge me for water.
 
I still want to like baths, though. I’ve tried to battle this bathtub ennui by watching movies on my tablet (from the top of the closed toilet seat), using bath bombs, reading a book -- but the pages always get all wet and I can never drink water without dripping condensation all over the floor. The guiltiness of not working on anything always creeps up on me, as well -- my partner calls it a symptom of being a workaholic. But I’m determined to make baths work for me.
 
My jaw dropped the first time I saw the Me Time Bamboo Bath Tray Caddy at Urban Outfitters. Its sustainable bamboo construction fits in with the motif of my minimalist-inspired, plant heavy apartment and remains modern with metal arms. The bamboo also resists mildew, so that’s perfect -- especially since my apartment doesn’t have the best built-in ventilation (do they ever?). The metal arms are especially helpful, since they adjust to fit across any size bathtub, so I can take it with me when I move or go on longer trips.