Bohemian (or "boho") style descends from the artistic and nomadic cultures it's named after — bohemian writers and artists in 19th-century Paris, gypsy travelers, hippie-era counterculture. The visual signature is layered abundance: rich jewel-toned textiles, mixed patterns, woven baskets, plants, vintage finds from multiple continents.
The design rules are that there are intentionally few rules. Colors clash on purpose. Patterns mix at different scales. Furniture is collected from different eras rather than bought as a matched set. The unifying force is personality, not consistency — every object should have a story.
The modern version, sometimes called "modern boho" or "boho minimalist", retains the layered textiles and global accents but pulls back on color and pattern saturation. Think one rich rug instead of three, more cream and rust than every primary, and intentional negative space. This version translates better to small apartments, where full bohemian can quickly read as "stuff everywhere".