How to Mix Vintage and Boho decor for a Cozy, Timeless Look

I know many people want to mix vintage and boho decor but have no idea how to make these styles work together.

In this post, I will share the basic principles for mixing these two fun styles to achieve a cozy, timeless look in your home.

You can easily mix vintage and boho decor by focusing on natural materials, adding layers of texture, and combining vintage textiles with modern pieces. For example, you can place a woven rattan chair next to an antique side table or drape a colorful vintage blanket over your modern sofa.

Your home should tell your unique story. Adding global-inspired pieces and rustic finds will help you create that perfect lived-in feel. You can display unique crafts and artwork to give your space personality and, at the same time, keep the overall look balanced and inviting.

Table of Contents

Defining The Aesthetic

Both vintage and boho styles are all about unique personal expression, achieved through carefully chosen decor pieces. You can mix them beautifully to create a space full of character and charm.

What Is Vintage Decor?

Vintage decor brings history and nostalgia into your space through pieces from past decades. Most common in vintage styling are furniture and accessories from the 1940s through the 1970s.

The key elements of vintage decor include:

Weathered or distressed finishes.
Antique furniture pieces.
Classic patterns like florals and checks.
Warm wood tones.
Mid-century modern influences.

Your vintage pieces should tell your story. Mix old family heirlooms with flea market finds to create depth and interest.

What Is Boho (Bohemian) Decor?

Boho style embraces artistic expression through a free-spirited mix of colors, patterns, and textures. You can spot boho decor by its laid-back, collected-over-time feel.

Key boho elements include:

Natural materials like rattan and jute.
Layered textiles and rugs.
Plants and botanical elements.
Global-inspired patterns.
Mixed metals and materials.

Boho style is all about making your space your own—no strict rules, just a mix of pieces that tell your story. Think travel finds, favorite treasures, and a little bit of everything you love!

Finding Your Inspiration

Both styles bring character and charm, making vintage and boho a perfect match. To get the look, mix pieces that inspire you—old, new, and everything in between!

Incorporate History with a Story

Vintage finds and personal treasures will make your space feel authentic and lived-in. Pick pieces that mean something special to you—maybe your grandmother’s mirror or a funky chair from a local flea market.

Look for items that show their age in beautiful ways, like weathered wood or slightly faded fabrics.

Start with one statement piece in each room. This could be an antique rug as a focal point or a vintage dresser that catches the eye.

Nature and Worldly Textures

Mix global-inspired patterns and materials to create depth in your space. You can combine Moroccan rugs, Indian textiles, and African-inspired prints.

Add natural elements like woven baskets, clay pots, and wooden beads.

Plants instantly bring any room to life! Hang some trailing ones by the window and mix in a few floor plants for a cozy, layered look.

Layer different textures throughout your space. For example, drape a chunky knit throw over a vintage leather chair or stack rough ceramic bowls on distressed wooden shelves.

The Role of Color and Patterns

For your main pieces, choose a base of warm, earthy tones, such as rust orange, deep browns, and soft creams. Then, add pops of bold color through smaller items like pillows, wall art, or vases.

Don’t be afraid to mix patterns – stripes can work with florals when you keep them in the same color family.

Modern pieces with clean lines can balance out busy vintage patterns. If you have a simple white sofa, don’t be afraid to put some colorful vintage pillows.

Mix metals and finishes freely. Tarnished brass, copper, and silver all work together in a boho space.

Starting with the Basics

Creating vintage boho decor starts with picking the right foundation pieces and color palette. These core elements set the stage for all your creative decorating choices.

Choosing Your Core Furniture

Your core furniture pieces need to blend both vintage charm and boho comfort. Pick one or two vintage statement pieces, like an antique dresser or weathered coffee table, as anchors for your space.

Mix in some relaxed boho seating – plush floor cushions, a cozy rattan chair, or a low-slung vintage sofa. This way, you will get that mix of laid-back vibe and vintage flair.

You don’t have to match everything perfectly – that’s the beauty of vintage boho decor!

Working with Neutral Tones

Start with warm, earthy neutrals as your base—soft beige, cream, or warm white walls will create the perfect backdrop for layering your favorite decor.

Bring in natural textures like jute rugs, woven baskets, and wooden accents to add depth while keeping things neutral.

Then, warm it up with muted earth tones in textiles—rust-colored pillows, olive green throws, or clay-toned curtains. These subtle pops of color will help blend vintage charm with boho flair!

Layering Elements

Depth and character come from layering different elements in your space. Mix textures, materials, and statement pieces that draw the eye—this is where the magic happens!

Mixing Textiles and Materials

Start with layering rugs to add warmth and texture to your floors. Try placing a smaller vintage Persian rug over a larger natural fiber one.

Mix up your fabrics by combining:

Chunky knit throws
Silk pillowcases
Woven tapestries
Natural linen curtains
Velvet upholstery

You can also add texture to your walls. For an interesting mix, hang a macrame wall hanging next to a vintage-inspired tapestry.

Adding Statement Pieces

Choose a few eye-catching items that reflect your personality. Mix modern books with an antique coffee table or display vintage ceramics alongside contemporary sculptures.

Add natural elements through:

Potted plants in woven baskets
Crystal clusters
Dried flower arrangements
Wooden sculptures
Handmade pottery

Don’t forget to leave some breathing space between your statement pieces. This way, each item will stand out, and your space won’t feel cluttered.

Accessorizing Your Space

The right mix of decorative pieces will add personality and bring your space to life. The small details create a big impact when you mix vintage and boho decor.

Vintage Accessories

To create warm, ambient lighting, you can add vintage floor lamps and lanterns with colored glass shades. Look for brass or copper pieces that develop a lovely patina over time.

To add character, display collections of antique mirrors, picture frames, and wall clocks. Group similar items together for visual impact.

Old books with beautiful covers make perfect coffee table decor. You can stack them horizontally and top them with a small plant, figurine or candle.

Boho Accents

Layer different patterns and textures through throw pillows, blankets, and rugs. Mix florals with geometrics and tribal prints for an eclectic vibe.

Add natural elements like woven baskets, macrame wall hangings, and ceramic pottery. Place air plants and succulents in unique containers on windowsills and shelves.

Create DIY decor pieces like painted terracotta pots or framed fabric art. Display collections from your travels, such as carved wooden figures, handwoven textiles, or beaded jewelry.

Bringing Life with Plants

Plants add natural beauty and personality to your vintage boho space. They also bring a laid-back, earthy vibe that perfectly complements mixed decor styles.

Selecting the Right Greenery

If you have enough space, start with large statement plants like fiddle-leaf figs and monstera. They make amazing focal points and anchor your room corner or frame your vintage furniture.

Mix plant sizes and textures for a layered look. Combine hanging plants, floor plants, and tabletop varieties for visual interest. Easy-care options like spider plants, pothos, and air plants look great in macrame hangers.

Air plants work amazingly well in small spaces or spots with low light. They need no soil, and you can put them on shelves or nestle them into vintage bowls.

Plant Placement Ideas

Play with height by using plant stands at different levels—wood or metal ones blend perfectly with vintage decor. Tuck taller plants behind furniture and place shorter ones on coffee tables or windowsills for a balanced look.

Group plants in odd numbers (trust me, sets of 3 or 5 just work). Add smaller ones to floating shelves alongside boho favorites like crystals or woven baskets.

Let those climbing plants do their thing! Pothos and string of pearls look stunning draping over bookshelves or spilling from a vintage hanging basket.

Wall Decor and Art

Wall decor is where vintage and boho styles come to life! Mix unique art pieces with textiles to add character. Layer different frames and woven accents to create a collected, lived-in feel in your space.

Gallery Walls and Vintage Frames

A gallery wall is the perfect way to mix frame styles and sizes for a personal touch. For contrast, try pairing ornate gold frames with simple wooden ones.

Look for unique vintage art at thrift stores and flea markets – I’ve found some amazing pieces this way! Family photos, botanical prints, and abstract pieces work wonderfully together.

Don’t worry about matching frames perfectly—mismatched styles actually add character to your space. Just keep a loose color theme to tie everything together.

Play with frame placement by laying out your arrangement on the floor first. Mix large statement pieces with smaller frames to create visual flow and interest.

Tapestries and Wall Hangings

Textured wall elements like macramé, woven baskets, and vintage tapestries add so much warmth and dimension to your walls!

Try hanging a large vintage textile as your focal point. I’ve found it creates an instant wow factor! Then, add smaller woven pieces around it at different heights for that layered, collected-over-time look.

Natural materials like jute, cotton, and wool bring such a cozy, organic feel to any space. Want to add a little sparkle? Mix in pieces with metallic threads or beaded details – it’s like adding little fairy lights to your wall!

Here’s a tip that works every time: group similar items together – like a collection of small dream catchers or basket wall art. This creates visual impact while keeping the look cohesive and intentional.

Lighting the Mood

The right mix of lighting adds so much depth and character to a vintage-boho space! I’ve found that layering different light sources creates the coziest atmosphere.

Antique Lighting Fixtures

Start with vintage-inspired metal pieces as your main light source. Consider brass chandeliers, oil-rubbed bronze sconces, or copper pendant lights. I’ve found that these pieces instantly give any space a lived-in look.

Look for fixtures with patina or weathered finishes. The worn look adds authenticity and pairs perfectly with other vintage elements in your room. (I once scored an amazing tarnished brass pendant at a garage sale for $10—it became the star of my dining room!)

Your antique lighting can become a striking focal point in your home. Choose pieces with intricate details, such as crystal drops, etched glass, or decorative metalwork. These features catch light beautifully and create interesting shadows and patterns throughout your space.

Bohemian Lamps and Lanterns

Mix in some Moroccan-inspired lanterns with colored glass to add rich jewel tones to your space! Hang them at different heights to create visual interest and that layered lighting effect that makes rooms feel so cozy.

Layer your lighting with table lamps with beaded shades or woven bases. I love how these catch the light in unexpected ways! Add some fairy or string lights for a magical touch.

Pro tip: Use warm-toned bulbs in your bohemian fixtures. They create such a cozy glow that enhances the relaxed vibe you’re after. (I learned this after trying cool bulbs in my bedroom – completely changed the feel when I switched to warm!)

Remember to include dimmers where possible (I find them especially helpful in my bathroom when relaxing after a long workday in my bathtub). They let you adjust the mood from bright and energetic to soft and dreamy, depending on what you need from your space that day.

The Importance of Personal Touches

Personal touches will make your vintage boho space truly unique and meaningful! Adding items with sentimental value creates a home that tells your story and reflects your personality.

Family Heirlooms and Finds

Your grandma’s old jewelry box or dad’s vintage record collection can become amazing decor pieces! You can display these treasures proudly on shelves or coffee tables to bring warmth to your space.

Old photographs in mismatched frames add charm to gallery walls. Try grouping family photos with vintage postcards and maps from places that mean something to you. I’ve found that this creates a wall that’s not just pretty to look at but also tells your unique story!

Vintage pieces from flea markets can mix perfectly with your heirlooms. Look for items that remind you of special memories or family stories. These meaningful connections are what make a house truly feel like home.

DIY Projects and Handmade Objects

Creating your own decor adds a special touch that no store-bought item can match! Try making macramé wall hangings or painting your own abstract art pieces. It’s so satisfying to look at something in your home and think, “I made that!”

You can transform ordinary items into unique decor pieces. Paint old mason jars for vases or turn vintage scarves into throw pillows. Some of my favorite pieces started as something completely different – like an old ladder that became my plant stand!

Display handmade items from local artists or crafts you’ve collected during travels. These pieces add such authenticity and tell stories about places you’ve been and people you’ve met.

Maintaining Cohesion

That feeling when everything in a room feels right? That’s cohesion! Mixing vintage with boho is about finding the balance where everything works together. I’ve learned that the right balance transforms mismatched items into a curated space.

Balancing Various Elements

Those modern shelves can absolutely showcase your grandmother’s antique vase! 💯 Pick one style as your “main character” – maybe those beautiful boho elements – while vintage pieces play supporting roles.

Have you ever touched a smooth marble surface and then a woven basket? That contrast is what makes a room come alive! Try pairing your modern coffee table with a natural rattan chair or that vintage velvet sofa with some macramé wall hangings.

When it comes to proportions, I once crammed all my largest pieces into one corner and wondered why the room felt so lopsided! 🤦‍♀️

Now I know better – balance those bigger vintage statement pieces with smaller boho accents throughout the space. Your eye will thank you for the visual journey.

Color Palette Consistency

Choose neutral walls as your foundation! This lets both your vintage and boho pieces stand out without competing. I painted my living room a warm ivory, and it’s been the perfect backdrop for all my colorful treasures.

Pick 2-3 main colors to repeat throughout the space. This ties everything together naturally. I’ve found that terracotta, indigo, and olive green work beautifully in vintage-boho spaces!

Add pops of bright color through pillows, art, or rugs. Just make sure these accent colors show up at least 3 times in the room. This little trick makes everything feel intentional rather than random.

Use metallic touches—like brass or copper—to bridge the gap between old and new pieces. I have a collection of brass candlesticks that somehow look perfect next to my grandmother’s antique sideboard and my modern macramé wall hanging!

Your Unique Vintage-Boho Home

Creating a space that blends vintage charm with bohemian spirit is all about balance, personality, and those special touches that make it yours!

Remember, there are no strict rules here – just guidelines to help you create a home that feels both collected and cohesive.

The most beautiful spaces tell stories, hold memories, and evolve with you over time. So take your time, collect pieces that speak to your heart, and enjoy the journey of creating a home that’s uniquely and wonderfully yours!

What vintage boho elements are you most excited to try in your space? I’d love to see your cozy nest come to life!

The FAQ

Most Common Q’s

Clean lines and laid-back accents work well in mid-century boho spaces. Choose sleek furniture, such as teak coffee tables or curved sofas.
Add texture through woven wall hangings, macramé, and plush throw pillows. Mix in vintage rugs with geometric patterns to bridge both styles.

Layer different patterns and textiles, like a Persian rug under a jute area rug. Place vintage glass vases and ceramic bowls on wooden shelves or side tables.

Add plants in macramé hangers and mix in vintage artwork. Use warm lighting from antique lamps to create a cozy atmosphere.

Eclectic patterns and global pieces define vintage boho style. In your textiles, mix floral prints with geometric and tribal patterns.

Choose earthy color schemes with pops of bright colors. Add vintage mirrors, tapestries, and globally-inspired accessories.

Upcycle old wooden crates and doors as functional art pieces. Add worn leather furniture and distressed metal accents.

Display vintage collections in rustic wooden shelving units. In your space, mix natural materials like rattan, wood, and metal.

Pick a consistent color palette to unite different pieces. Use vintage items as statement pieces against modern neutral backgrounds.

Mix textures but keep patterns minimal when combining styles. Add metallic accents to bridge vintage and modern elements.

On bedside tables, mix vintage-style glass vases with ceramic bowls . Add layers of textured bedding in mixed patterns and colors.
Hang vintage tapestries or create a gallery wall with old prints. Use vintage lighting fixtures and add soft textiles like throw blankets and cushions.