How To Layer Textiles In A Renter-Friendly Boho Bedroom

TIP ONE: Layer your bedding for contrast.

In general, I would never recommend purchasing a complete bedding set (think: Bed In A Bag) as you want the freedom to mix prints, colors, fabrics and patterns on your bed. That’s especially true when you’re trying to achieve a bohemian look.

TIP TWO: Start with a single pattern you love.

I always encourage clients to find one fabric or print that they love to serve as an inspiration piece for the rest of the space.

In this room, the client had previously purchased a linen duvet cover with muted pinks and oranges. While the duvet cover was beautiful, I worried that the bed would start to blend into the neutral beige walls if we didn’t break up the colors a little.

I lucked out when I discovered an inexpensive cotton sheet set at Target that had a coral accent to match the duvet but otherwise was blue.

That blue was exactly the interruption to the warm colors that this room needed to feel truly luxe and layered. From there, I decided to carry the blue as an accent across the room to provide depth to the blush, orange, and yellow color palette.

TIP THREE: If you can't paint, add large-scale art via inexpensive tapestries.

Art is expensive but tapestries can be sourced fairly cheap and they are often much larger in scale than traditional wall art.

The trick to getting a layered vibe with a wall tapestry is to buy a tapestry that’s slightly wider than your bed and install it behind your headboard. Since part of the image will be covered up, it’s best to stick with tapestries that feature one larger pattern or motif, like a medallion or mandala, rather than a scene.

TIP FOUR: Layer Rugs or Embrace Your Rental Carpet

If you live in a home with hardwood or solid surface flooring, you may want to incorporate a rug into your space for additional comfort. As a general rule, you want to purchase the largest rug you can fit into your space in order to maximize impact. For instance, under a queen bed, you’ll need at least an 8x10’ rug to provide ample walking room around the bed with the rug under foot.

Large scale rugs tend to be pretty expensive so if you’re on a budget, there are ways to create the look of a larger rug without the massive price tags. With bohemian style, you can use layer multiple rugs to achieve the same vibe.

TIP FIVE: Cover your headboard with an inexpensive throw for visual interest.

The number one way to save money when you’re decorating your home is to use what you already have. By repurposing or upcycling your existing furniture and decor, you’re not just being thrifty. You’re also keeping additional products from being manufactured and helping the environment in a meaningful way.

The client had a bed with an attached headboard that she didn’t love the look of. The bed is in great shape and she liked the structure but the headboard was a little plain and boring for her desired Boho look.

For a layered look, we draped a throw over the headboard.

TIP SIX: Layer window treatments.

Don’t stop the layering at just your bed! Windows offer another great opportunity to bring in some additional textural contrast.

For wider windows, a single set of curtains aren’t going to provide much visual impact. You could double your width by purchasing two identical sets and hanging a pair on each side. But why miss the opportunity to create more depth with two contrasting patterns or colors?

Here, I contrasted a dark velvet with a light, patterned linen.

TIP SEVEN: Choose five colors and repeat them throughout the space.

Even with a bohemian style, you don't want to go overboard with color. Settle on just five colors to repeat multiple times throughout the space. Finding inspiration for your color palette is as easy as picking your five favorite colors out of a patterned throw pillow or blanket you love.

Your space can feel both collected and layered with the right formula.