Summer is basically begging you to redecorate. You’ve got longer days, warmer vibes, and zero excuses to keep living with that beige throw pillow you’ve had since 2019. Boho style is the perfect answer it’s layered, colorful, wildly personal, and somehow looks effortless even when you’ve spent three hours arranging it. I’ve personally refreshed my living room with boho touches every summer for the past few years, and honestly? It never gets old.
Whether you’re starting from scratch or just want to shake things up a little, these 13 ideas will get you there.
1. Layer Textured Rugs Like You Mean It
Layered rugs are the single biggest visual upgrade you can make to any room, and boho style practically invented this trick. Grab a large jute or sisal rug as your base, then layer a smaller, more colorful kilim or Moroccan rug on top.
The contrast in texture and pattern is what makes it feel intentional rather than random. Mix a neutral base with something that has rich reds, warm oranges, or earthy blues — those tones scream summer boho without trying too hard.
Don’t stress about the patterns matching perfectly. In boho decor, the rule is that there are no rules (which, IMO, is the most freeing thing about this style).
2. Bring in Rattan and Wicker Furniture
Rattan is summer’s ride-or-die material, and it fits boho aesthetics like it was born for it. A rattan accent chair, a wicker side table, or even a hanging rattan light shade can completely change the energy of a room.
The beauty of rattan is that it’s lightweight, airy, and pairs beautifully with linen, cotton, and macramé — all your other boho staples. It also photographs incredibly well if you’re posting your space to Pinterest (and let’s be honest, you probably are).
Shop thrift stores and Facebook Marketplace before buying new. You’ll find pieces with that perfect worn-in look that no store-bought item can replicate, and your wallet will thank you.
3. Go Wild with Indoor Plants
If your boho room doesn’t have at least three plants, is it even boho? Greenery is non-negotiable in this aesthetic — it adds life, warmth, and that breezy outdoor-indoor feel that makes summer interiors so appealing.
Go for a mix of sizes and styles:
- Trailing plants like pothos or string of pearls for shelves and hanging planters
- Statement plants like a fiddle leaf fig or monstera for floor corners
- Small succulents or cacti clustered on windowsills for low-maintenance charm
Don’t overthink the containers either. Terracotta pots, woven baskets, and even vintage ceramic mugs all work perfectly as planters and add to that eclectic, collected-over-time feel.
4. Hang a Macramé Wall Piece
Macramé is one of those things that looks like it took forever to make, which is exactly why it’s so impressive on a wall. A large macramé wall hanging instantly becomes a focal point and fills vertical space in a way that art prints just can’t.
You can buy one from an Etsy artisan (supporting small makers — always a good move) or, if you’re feeling adventurous, DIY your own with a basic kit. The knot patterns are easier than they look, and there’s something really satisfying about making your own decor.
Hang it above a bed, behind a sofa, or on any blank wall that needs personality. Pair it with warm Edison bulb lighting nearby for maximum effect.
5. Style a Boho Gallery Wall
Gallery walls are your opportunity to tell your story through art — no matching frames, no uniform sizes, just pure collected-over-time energy. This is where boho decor really lets you express yourself.
Mix and match:
- Woven wall hangings
- Vintage botanical prints
- Hand-lettered quotes
- Travel photography
- Terracotta sun or moon motifs
- Dried flower arrangements in small frames
The trick to making a gallery wall look curated rather than chaotic is to stick to a loose color palette — warm earthy tones, cream, rust, sage green, and terracotta all play well together.
Lay everything out on the floor first before you start hammering nails. Trust me on this one. 🙂
6. Swap Out Curtains for Sheer, Breezy Drapes
Heavy curtains have no business being in a boho summer space. Sheer white or off-white linen curtains let the summer light filter through in the most dreamy way, and they billow in the breeze like you’re living in a movie.
If you want to add a boho touch, look for curtains with subtle embroidery, tassels along the hem, or a printed block-print pattern. These little details make a huge difference and elevate the whole look without being overpowering.
Floor-to-ceiling drapes also make your ceilings look taller, which is a nice little bonus. Hang the rod high and wide to maximize that effect.
7. Pile On the Throw Pillows
Have you ever walked into a room and thought wow, this sofa has too many pillows? Neither have I. Boho style thrives on abundance and layering, and nowhere is that more obvious than the pillow situation.
Mix textures aggressively:
- Embroidered cotton for color and pattern
- Velvet for richness and contrast
- Tasseled or fringed pillows for that boho signature detail
- Woven kilim-style covers for global flair
Stick to a color story — warm saffron, dusty rose, terracotta, olive green, and cream all work together beautifully for a summer boho palette. Buy extra pillow inserts sized up from the covers; it makes them look fuller and more luxurious.
8. Add Warmth with Candles and Lanterns
Lighting sets the mood more than any other element in a room, and for summer boho spaces, you want warm, golden, flickering light everywhere. Candles and lanterns deliver that instantly.
Think:
- Pillar candles clustered on a tray at different heights
- Moroccan-style metal lanterns on the floor or hanging from the ceiling
- Beeswax or soy candles in terracotta pots for a cohesive earthy look
- String lights draped along shelves or wrapped around plants
FYI — battery-powered fairy lights have gotten really good. If you want that warm glow without the fire hazard, they’re a solid option and last for ages.
9. Style Your Shelves with Boho Intention
Shelves are basically your opportunity to build a mini art installation in your own home. Boho shelf styling is all about balance between organic objects, books, plants, and meaningful personal items.
A good boho shelf includes:
- One or two trailing plants spilling over the edge
- A small stack of books (spines facing out, not hidden)
- Ceramic or pottery pieces at varying heights
- A crystal or two — amethyst and rose quartz look especially beautiful
- A small framed print or mini macramé piece
The key is leaving a little breathing room. You want it to look curated, not stuffed. Step back and edit — if every inch is covered, pull one or two things off.
10. Paint or Add an Accent Wall with Earthy Tones
If you’re ready to commit to the boho summer vibe in a bigger way, an accent wall in a warm earthy tone changes everything. We’re talking terracotta, warm clay, burnt sienna, dusty sage, or a deep moody ochre.
You don’t have to paint the whole room — just one wall behind your sofa or bed is enough to ground the entire space and give it that rich, intentional feel. Pair it with white or cream on the other walls so the color really pops.
If painting feels like too much of a commitment :/ you can also try removable wallpaper with boho-inspired prints — palm leaves, geometric Moroccan patterns, or abstract earthy designs. Tons of great options exist on Amazon and Etsy, and they’re renter-friendly.
Final Thoughts
The best part about boho summer decor is that it rewards personality over perfection. You don’t need a big budget or a perfectly curated aesthetic from day one, you build it over time, picking up pieces that genuinely speak to you.
Start with one or two of these ideas maybe the layered rugs and a statement plant, and build from there. Add textiles, then ceramics, then lighting. Before you know it, your space feels completely transformed.
The goal is a home that feels warm, lived-in, creative, and unmistakably yours. That’s what boho summer decor does better than any other style, and that’s exactly why it keeps showing up all over Pinterest every single year.