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Boho style has been around since the ‘60s, but it’s well and truly experienced a resurgence of late.
The boho aesthetic – which takes inspiration from Eastern European bohemians, as well as Moroccan and gypsy influences – incorporates natural materials, earthy colors, and plenty of layered, eye-catching textures and patterns (and tassels).
The result is a carefree, laid-back atmosphere that will have you feeling like you’re living in European luxury.
When it comes to boho bedding, linen is a go-to (and for good reason), but what kind of linen should you choose, and what’s the best way to style it? Read on for the best linens for styling a dreamy boho retreat.
The Benefits of Linen
You may have heard friends talk about their linen bedding with adoration, but until you discover the benefits for yourself, you likely won’t jump on the bandwagon (but once you do, you’ll never get off).
Not only is linen downright stylish, but its numerous health benefits and durable nature will also have you hooked – plus, it’s one of the best fabrics for the environment.
So what is linen exactly? Linen is a natural material derived from the flax crop. Being naturally derived, it has a range of benefits, from allowing your skin to breathe to regulating body temperature, rather than trapping the heat.
Microscopic breaks in the fabric also help stimulate blood flow by producing a slight massaging effect on your skin, which also helps you to relax and wind down.
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Linen and Boho Style
Linen’s lightweight and earthy nature make it an obvious choice for boho style, which is all about creating an atmosphere that is warm and natural.
Whilst beautiful rattan furniture or intricate Moroccan patterns might be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of boho, the material is actually a really important element for building the aesthetic.
Whether it’s draped across furniture or used as bedding, the right material helps create the layered, textural feel that is so integral to the style – and linen is perfect for this.
Before you jump straight into picking out those striking feature pieces, be sure to build a strong, simple foundation using neutral colors to create a backdrop for layering.
As an integral part of this foundation, it’s great to get your linen sorted early on in the piece, as this can also help guide your overall color scheme.
How to Find the Best Quality Linen
Unless you’re after a more cotton feel (in which case look for a linen blend), be sure to choose a fabric that is 100% linen – and for the most health and environmental benefits, opt for organic.
Whilst with most other fabrics we’re told that the larger the thread count, the better the fabric, this is not the case for linen. Oftentimes, it will only have an 80-150 thread count, which is low when compared to cotton, but ideal in this case.
The linen becomes softer with more washes, so if you look for pre-washed linen, often with an enzyme or stone wash, you’ll find it has a gentler feel (it will also have a beautiful vintage look – perfect for boho styling).
Generally, European linen is the best quality – with Belgium, France, and Italy being the top producers. The temperature in Belgium and France, in particular, allows for the flax plant to grow to its best ability.
Whilst linen from India and China may be cheaper, the climate in the regions isn’t as ideal and the resulting linen isn’t as strong.
How to Choose the Best Colour Combinations
Nowadays, you can pretty much find linen in any color. If you want to evoke a boho aesthetic, stick to muted, neutral tones (oatmeal, beige, or mocha), or warm, earthy tones (rust, turmeric, or terracotta).
If you want the most environmentally friendly option, then look for untreated linen – in other words, not dyed – which can still come in a range of colors, including ivory, ecru, grey, and tan.
Remember that bedding is the perfect base on which you can build different layers of color and texture.
A great approach can be to mix and match different colors, picking a neutral color (oatmeal), for the sheets and bottom pillowcases, and combining it with a warmer color (rust), for the quilt cover and top pillowcases.
Not only will this approach add subtle depth to your color scheme, but you will most definitely fall in love with these beautiful, earthy color combinations. Of course, if you want to up the boho, even more, you can place a brightly colored pillow or throw it on top.
Whilst linen can cost a little more than other bedding, it will likely last much longer than other fabrics – and with all the wonderful benefits, including its undeniable chicness, it’s a great investment for any home.
