Modern Boho Living Room Makeover
Today I’m excited to share this Modern Boho Living Makeover I recently completed in the Wicker Park area of Chicago, but first in case we haven’t met before…
Hi Friend! Welcome to Postbox Designs where all we do is Interior E-Design around here! I custom design my clients rooms any where in the country from my laptop in Michigan. Because it is all done virtually I can work more quickly, less expensively, and everything is done on my client’s schedule and budget. But because all I do is E-Design, I don’t always get to see the “After” photos. Which is why I’m so excited to share a project that I got to see the “Before” and “After” on. I paired up with Sonder, a company that does rentals all over the world. Interior designers create each space to have a certain vibe, then you can actually stay there. This one is actually based in Wicker Park area of Chicago.
Read on to find out how you can actually STAY here next time you are in the Windy City!
The “Before”
Here is what we started with: an industrial shell of a room, but with great high concrete ceilings and walls.
“The After”: A Modern Boho Living Room Makeover
This Living Room Makeover design got some boho charm with a lot of eclectic touches. Yep, that’s a portrait of Bill Murray on the wall, dressed like a five star general. Because…why not? I wanted this loft Living Room to have some masculine touches to it, so the room is grounded with this traditional plaid rug, a sleek gray sofa, vintage wood tray, and an army style armchair. Touches of brass and dark woods add in some traditional masculine touches to an otherwise modern space. And that’s part of what gives it an eclectic charm.
Mixing in Traditional Pieces Into a Modern Living Room Design
The best room designs always have a mix of styles in it! We mixed some very modern pieces like the gray sofa, clear acrylic table, and industrial streamlined armchair. But then layering on traditional touches keeps it feeling fun and unique-these traditional bentwood dining chairs, vintage wood tray, and ornate faux oil painting bring in some polish.
9 Tips How to Design for Small Space Living Rooms
As you can tell, this is a small space in city living, so it is important to make every piece work double duty. While you want to fit in a lot of function, you don’t want a space overstuffed-it actually makes it feel smaller. Here are some tricks for making a small space feel larger:
ONE. Use furniture with open legs (check out both the sofa and chair).
TWO. Try using glass or plastic: this acrylic table floats in the room, making it seem much more spacious. You can do this with lamps or even dining room chairs (try the Louis style “Ghost Chair”.
THREE. Streamline and simplify your decor so the space is less cluttered.
FOUR. Make furniture do double duty: a coffee table can also work as a game table/extra eating space if you add poufs nearby. A Living Room console table can also work as a serving area for a nearby Dining Room.
FIVE. Use larger pieces, but less of them. Adding in a lot of small, puny pieces makes a room look smaller.
SIX. Use a dining room table with a drop leaf, or you can tuck it against the wall to give more walkway space.
SEVEN. Use hidden storage-this TV unit can hide some not-so-pretty but vital items. You can do the same with closed nightstands or side tables.
EIGHT. In an open floor plan like this, float your furniture in the middle of the room for ample walkway space
NINE: Stick with a 2-3 color palette and repeat the colors throughout the room. Lighter colors (like these white walls) will also make your room seem larger.
Related: If you have a small space, this is the SMALLEST space I have ever designed for: Entire Small Space Apartment Furnished for Only $5000
A Modern Boho Living Room Makeover Needs a Modern Kitchen Too
The great thing about small space living is the rooms are usually very open to each other! That makes each room itself seem larger, and all of the rooms get the great view and light shared by the Living Room. When you have a small apartment or loft space, one of the best kitchen layouts is this single run of cabinets. Everything an owner (or renter in this case) needs is right there. Smaller, apartment sized appliances give more countertop space. But there is still a ton of cabinetry for storage. This simple washed gray finish is modern and neutral. And the kitchen layout gives max room for the adjacent dining room area.
Modern Boho Dining Room Makeover
The third area in this open concept floor is the open Dining Room space. I’ll be honest, this space was T-I-G-H-T. But this is what I tell all of my clients:
Design your home for how you spend 95% of your time.
This two bedroom loft space isn’t going to have more than four people in it, so four chairs is really all you need. Adding in six chairs would block both kitchen and closet access, even though they would technically fit. So in this case I would rather have less seating, but have a space that looks good and functions better. Having a larger get-together or party? Then borrow some chairs from a friend or another room for a few hours.
Modern Boho Living Room Makeover & Dining Room Combo
Remember how we mixed in the traditional and modern elements in the Living Room Design? We did the same thing in the Dining Room area. These bentwood chairs are a traditional look (but also have open and airy frames, which work great in a small space). But then we paired it with a more industrial table with modern, sleek legs. But this Bill Murray faux portrait from Society 6 is what makes me smile. (Don’t worry ladies Brad Pitt and George Clooney are also available!)
Here is another tip when you are working with small space or open floor plan concepts. Repeat some of the same elements in all of the spaces to help draw them together. In this case pops of black are one unifying theme. You can see it in the chairs, the rug, the armchair, and the kitchen appliances. It makes your rooms feel cohesive and complete. I also always suggest painting all of the walls in an open space concept the same color, so it all feels like one (larger) room. These soft white walls let these cool concrete ceilings shine.
Add Some Eclectic to your Modern Boho Design
No matter your design style, always choose at least ONE object that is fun, whimsical or a bit eclectic. Something that will make you smile. In this room, it was the Bill Murray Print. It could be as simple as a pillow or a single decor item. I love looking for these items at places like Etsy, Society 6, and Gilt.
Related: If you have a small space Living Room/Dining Room combo, you’ll love this Glam Neutral Living Room & Dining Room Makeover on the Coast
You Could Stay Here!
Remember how I said you could actually RENT this room? Sonder is like the cool cousin to AirBnB. Available in tons of major cities, each space has its own custom designed interior-no cookie cutter rooms here. This is in the trendy Wicker Park area, and you can rent it along with dozens of other beautiful options right HERE. Some for under $100 a night!
Want to See More Modern Boho Living Room Makeover Ideas?
If you liked this loft reveal, you might like this other Wicker Park loft makeover that I also did as a collaboration with Sonder. You can check out the entire makeover by clicking below. Or you can rent it for less than $200/night right HERE
Modern Boho Living Room: See the Before and Afters
Work With Me via Online Interior Design
Every room is custom designed. And I don’t even start until your design until I get to know YOU. Your budget, your needs, your lifestyle. The whole process takes 2-3 weeks, then your custom room-inside-a-box is delivered right to your door. You don’t have to be overwhelmed or discouraged anymore. I’ll plan out every detail, then walk with you during the whole process-until the last picture in hung.
The Postbox Designs 3 Step Process
Step 1: Purchase Your Room Package
Step 2: Your Homework: Fill out your Welcome Packet
Step 3: My Homework: I custom design your room with two different versions and all of the drawings and samples you need. Purchase everything directly from the shopping list in an hour. In your PJS at home. Yeeeees. Find out what comes inside your Postbox HERE
Still have questions? You can drop me a line at kristin@postboxdesigns.com and we can chat all about your project!
Cheers,
Kristin
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