I’ll be honest: when I first wanted to create a bohemian bedroom, I looked at Pinterest and thought “there’s no way I can afford this.” Turns out, I was wrong. Most of my favorite boho pieces? I made them myself for less than the cost of brunch.
You don’t need to be crafty or artistic to DIY bohemian bedroom decor. I can barely draw a stick figure, yet my bedroom looks like it belongs in a design magazine. If I can do it, trust me, you absolutely can too.
These nine DIY projects transformed my basic bedroom into a boho sanctuary without emptying my bank account. Let’s get started.
1. Macramé Wall Hanging (Easier Than It Looks)
Here’s the thing about macramé: it looks incredibly complicated, but it’s really just fancy knot-tying. I watched three YouTube videos and created my first wall hanging in about two hours.
What you’ll need:
- Cotton rope or cord (I bought a 100-yard spool for $15)
- A wooden dowel or branch (free if you find one outside)
- Scissors
- A tape measure
The majority of macramé patterns literally start with simple square knots. After repeatedly tying the same knot in various ways, you end up with this exquisitely textured piece. Every time I hang mine over my bed, visitors want to know where I got it.
The beauty of macramé is that “mistakes” just look like design choices. My first piece had uneven spacing, but everyone thought I did it intentionally for that organic, handmade vibe. Score!
Getting Started With Patterns
Don’t overthink the pattern selection. Start with a simple design—maybe just vertical cords with some basic knots creating texture. You can always add complexity later once you understand the technique.
I recommend making your first piece about 3 feet wide. This gives you enough space to practice without committing to a massive project. Plus, smaller pieces take less time, which keeps you motivated.
2. DIY Tassel Garland That Adds Instant Boho Vibes
Tassels are everywhere in bohemian decor, and making them is ridiculously easy. I made a 10-foot tassel garland while binge-watching a Netflix series. That’s how simple this is.
Materials needed:
- Yarn in various colors (leftover yarn works great)
- Cardboard piece (about 4×6 inches)
- Twine or string for hanging
- Scissors
Wrap yarn around your cardboard about 30 times, tie it at the top, cut the bottom loops, and boom—you’ve got a tassel. Make 15-20 in different colors, string them on twine, and hang them across your headboard or along a wall.
I used earthy tones—rust, cream, sage green, and mustard—and it brought so much texture and color to my space. Total cost? Maybe $12 for yarn I didn’t already have.
Quick tassel size guide:
| Tassel Type | Cardboard Size | Yarn Wraps | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 3×4 inches | 20-25 | Delicate garlands |
| Medium | 4×6 inches | 30-35 | Wall displays |
| Large | 6×8 inches | 40-50 | Statement pieces |
| Jumbo | 8×10 inches | 60+ | Single accents |
3. Turn Thrift Store Finds Into Boho Gold
Ever wondered why bohemian bedrooms always look collected and unique? Because they literally are. Thrift stores are goldmines for DIY boho projects.
I found a plain wooden ladder at Goodwill for $8. Sanded it down, stained it a darker walnut color, and now I use it to display throws and scarves. Looks expensive, cost almost nothing.
Best thrift store finds for DIY boho projects:
- Old wooden frames (spray paint them gold or leave them vintage)
- Vintage scarves (hang them as wall art or use as pillow covers)
- Wooden crates (stack them as nightstands or shelving)
- Ceramic pots (perfect for plants after a quick paint job)
The trick is seeing potential instead of what’s actually there. That ugly brass lamp? Strip it down and rewrap the shade with macramé. Those dated curtains? Cut them up for throw pillow covers. You’re basically being resourceful, which is very bohemian anyway 🙂
4. Create a Pom-Pom Pillow Cover Without Sewing
I don’t own a sewing machine, but I’ve made five pillow covers for my bed. The secret? Fabric glue and pom-pom trim.
Get some pom-pom trim from the craft store, glue it around the edges, and purchase plain pillowcases (or repurpose old ones). I created one using enormous pom-poms in cream and another using tiny ones in terracotta. They add so much personality to my bed.
Step-by-step process:
- Get plain pillow covers in neutral colors
- Choose pom-pom trim in contrasting colors
- Apply fabric glue around pillow edges
- Press pom-pom trim firmly into glue
- Let dry overnight (resist the urge to touch it)
This project took me maybe 20 minutes per pillow, not counting drying time. Each pillow cover cost about $7 total, versus $35+ for similar ones online. Math works in my favor here.
For extra boho points, layer different sizes and colors. I’ve got three pom-pom pillows in various sizes mixed with my regular pillows, and the texture is everything.
5. Paint a Boho Headboard on Your Wall
Okay, this one scared me at first. Paint directly on the wall? But here’s the reality: it’s just paint. You can paint over it if you hate it.
I used a warm terracotta paint to create an arched headboard shape behind my bed. My bedroom was completely changed in about an hour, and the paint cost me thirty dollars. I saved hundreds of dollars because I didn’t need an actual headboard.
How I did it:
- Used a pencil and string as a makeshift compass for the arch
- Marked light guidelines on the wall
- Applied two coats of paint with a small roller
- Added decorative details with a brush
The best part? You can customize the shape, size, and color to exactly what you want. Pinterest has tons of boho headboard designs you can replicate. I went with a simple arch, but you could do geometric patterns, half-circles, or even mountain shapes.
FYI, use painter’s tape if you want crisp edges. I freehanded mine for a more organic look, which also conveniently hides any imperfections.
6. Macramé Plant Hangers for Your Jungle Vibes
If you mastered basic macramé from idea #1, you’re ready for plant hangers. These look way more impressive than they actually are to make.
I made four plant hangers in one afternoon using the same cotton cord from my wall hanging. Each one holds a potted plant at different heights, creating that layered, jungle-like effect that screams bohemian.
Basic plant hanger structure:
- Cut 8 cords, each about 8 feet long
- Fold them in half and attach to a ring
- Create square knots in sections down the length
- Gather all cords at the bottom and tie together
- Add beads for extra flair if you want
Hang them at varying heights from ceiling hooks. I’ve got pothos trailing down from mine, and the effect is stunning. Plants plus handmade macramé equals instant boho credibility.
The whole project cost me about $20 including the ceiling hooks. Buying similar plant hangers would’ve been $30 each, minimum. That’s $120 saved right there.
7. DIY Woven Wall Art Using a Hula Hoop
Stay with me, even though this sounds strange. I made a circular woven wall piece by wrapping a cheap hula hoop from the dollar store in yarn. I now love it more than anything else in my bedroom.
You essentially use the hoop as a loom. String yarn across it in a web pattern, then weave additional yarn through to create texture and patterns. Add tassels or feathers at the bottom for extra boho flair.
What you need:
- One hula hoop (any size works)
- Yarn in various colors
- Beads, feathers, or other embellishments
- Hot glue gun
- Patience (not much, but some)
This project took me about three hours while watching TV. I used cream, rust, and sage green yarn with some wooden beads woven in. The circular shape adds visual interest that regular rectangular wall art doesn’t provide.
Pro tip: wrap the entire hula hoop in yarn first before weaving. This hides the plastic and makes the whole piece look more intentional and finished.
8. Turn String Lights Into a Boho Canopy
String lights are cheap and everywhere, but how you use them makes all the difference. I created a canopy effect above my bed using Edison bulb string lights and some ceiling hooks.
I arranged the lights in a draped pattern—basically swag them back and forth across the ceiling above the bed. The warm glow creates this cozy, magical atmosphere that’s perfect for winding down at night.
Installation steps:
- Plan your pattern (draw it out first)
- Install adhesive ceiling hooks in strategic spots
- Drape lights in your chosen pattern
- Secure with twist ties at each hook
- Hide the cord along the wall with cable clips
This cost me approximately 25 dollars worth of good string lights and an hour or so of time to put them up. The effect? Absolutely worth it, IMO. My bedroom has become a boho haven particularly in the evenings where I put off the overhead light.
You can also wrap string lights around a piece of driftwood or a branch and hang it above your bed. Same cozy effect, slightly different aesthetic.
9. Create Texture Wall Art With Yarn and Cardboard
This is perfect for people who think they can’t create art (hi, that’s me). You need cardboard, yarn, and glue. That’s it.
Cut cardboard into shapes—circles, semicircles, arches, whatever speaks to you. Wrap them tightly with yarn in different colors and textures. Arrange them on your wall in a cluster or pattern. Instant textured wall art that looks gallery-worthy.
My favorite arrangements:
- Three circles in graduating sizes (small, medium, large)
- Arch shapes overlapping slightly
- Semicircles creating a rainbow effect
- Random organic shapes clustered together
I made a set of five wrapped shapes in neutral and rust tones, arranged them in an asymmetrical cluster, and hung them near my reading nook. People assume I bought them from some fancy boutique. Nope, cardboard and determination.
Each piece takes about 30 minutes to wrap. Use thick yarn for faster coverage and more texture. I went through about three skeins of yarn total, which cost roughly $15.
Making It Work for You
The DIY bohemian decor is so beautiful because nothing has to be flawless. In fact, it is weakness that is the thing. Home made works possess the handwork that cannot be duplicated in purchased products.
The real advantages of DIY boho projects:
- You save serious money (I’ve saved probably $500+)
- Your space becomes truly unique
- You can customize everything to your taste
- Each piece has a story
I started with just one project—the macramé wall hanging—and built from there. You don’t need to tackle everything at once. Pick the project that excites you most and start there.
The skills you learn from one project translate to others. Once you understand basic knot-tying, you can make wall hangings, plant hangers, and even jewelry. It’s all connected.
Final Thoughts
Creating a bohemian bedroom through DIY projects taught me something unexpected: I actually enjoy making things. Who knew? Not me, the person who avoided arts and crafts my entire life.
Begin with a simple project, take your time with yourself and keep in mind that all those projects you see on Pinterest were created by an average individual, who most likely made a mistake on her first project. I am sure I did–my first macramé wall hanging was a mummy. Still I continued and now I have a bedroom that I can call mine.
Grab some supplies this weekend and try one project. Just one. I bet you’ll surprise yourself with what you can create 🙂