How to Use Plants to Fake a Boho Makeover in 24 Hours
Think you need macramé walls and vintage rugs to pull off boho vibes? Think again.
With just a few well-placed plants and strategic styling tricks, you can turn your space into a lush, free-spirited haven, without dropping a dime on new furniture.
This guide shows you how to get the boho aesthetic in under a day using nothing but greenery.
1. Drape Cascading Vines for Instant Boho Drama
The fastest way to fake “I thrifted this in Bali.”
Nothing says boho quite like plants that flow. Trailing vines add effortless movement and a touch of wild to otherwise basic rooms, and placing them creatively makes it feel like your space has grown into itself over time.
Why it works:
- Instantly softens hard lines and blank corners
- Adds depth and organic layering without buying new decor
- Looks relaxed, eclectic, and unforced, the core of boho appeal
Where to drape them:
- Over a mirror frame or headboard
- Along an open shelf or curtain rod
- Across a windowsill, cascading toward the floor
- From wall hooks above your bed, desk, or gallery wall
Top trailing picks for boho magic:
- Pothos (heart-shaped and super forgiving)
- String of Pearls (delicate, dramatic, and full of texture)
- Philodendron Brasil (variegated green with yellow accents)
- Tradescantia (purple-toned magic in a hanging pot)
Style tip: Don’t overthink symmetry. Let vines fall unevenly, even messily. That’s the boho difference, beauty in the wildness.
2. Layer Plants at Different Heights
Stack them like your favorite boho shelfie, wild but intentional.
Boho isn’t flat, it’s dimensional. To fake that full, collected-over-time look, you need plants at varying levels. Layering brings depth to even the emptiest corner and makes the whole room feel styled rather than staged.
Why this works:
- Adds rhythm and interest to your visuals
- Mimics the carefree, lived-in feel of true bohemian interiors
- Fills space without overwhelming it
Ways to layer like a stylist:
- Place a tall leafy plant on the floor (like a Monstera or Corn Plant), a medium one on a stool or crate, and a smaller one on stacked books or a side table
- Use windowsills or ledges to let shorter plants peek over sofas or counters
- Mix textures, pair wide leaves with feathery ferns, or chunky pots with trailing vines
Boho-friendly risers:
- Wooden crates
- Woven baskets turned upside down
- Stacked vintage books or old suitcases
- Ceramic stools or macramé shelves
> The goal isn’t symmetry, it’s rhythm. Imagine you’re styling a visual playlist, not a rulebook.
3. Swap Boring Pots for Eclectic Containers
Boho is in the mix, not the match.
If you want your space to scream effortless bohemian charm, ditch the uniform pots. Boho style is all about layering history, culture, and soul, and your plant containers are an easy place to start.
Why this creates instant boho energy:
- Mismatched pieces feel collected and personal, not store-bought
- Earthy, handmade textures add warmth and depth
- Unexpected containers = instant conversation starters
Try these plant pot upgrades:
- Woven baskets (perfect for Snake Plants or Palms)
- Hand-painted terracotta or aged clay pots
- Vintage mugs, teapots, or brass bowls
- Rattan stands or macramé slings for extra flair
Boho hack: Don’t be afraid of a little imperfection. A slightly chipped pot, sun-bleached basket, or uneven glaze just adds to the lived-in charm.
> Think of your containers as accessories, not uniforms. Each one should bring its own story, texture, and soul.
4. Add One Statement Jungle Corner
Your entire space needs one “whoa” plant moment.
In true boho interiors, there’s always that one corner, the leafy sanctuary that instantly sets the mood. With the right centerpiece and a few companions, you can build an eye-catching, free-spirited nook that looks like you styled it over years… in under an hour.
Why it works:
- Acts as a visual anchor that balances out the rest of the room
- Adds lushness and volume without redesigning your layout
- Instantly conveys that curated-yet-carefree boho aesthetic
How to build your jungle corner:
- Start with one large statement plant: Fiddle Leaf Fig, Bird of Paradise, or Monstera Deliciosa
- Layer in 2–3 smaller plants, use a mix of trailing (like Pothos), bushy (like Calathea), and sculptural (like Rubber Plant) styles
- Add risers like baskets, crates, or even a driftwood stump to vary height
Styling tip: Position this corner where natural light floods in or use a soft amber bulb nearby to highlight textures. Let it slightly spill into the room, it’s meant to feel abundant, not boxed in.
> A great jungle corner feels like a little pause in time, a green breath in the middle of your everyday.4. Add One Statement Jungle Corner
Your entire space needs one “whoa” plant moment.
In true boho interiors, there’s always that one corner, the leafy sanctuary that instantly sets the mood. With the right centerpiece and a few companions, you can build an eye-catching, free-spirited nook that looks like you styled it over years… in under an hour.
Why it works:
- Acts as a visual anchor that balances out the rest of the room
- Adds lushness and volume without redesigning your layout
- Instantly conveys that curated-yet-carefree boho aesthetic
How to build your jungle corner:
- Start with one large statement plant: Fiddle Leaf Fig, Bird of Paradise, or Monstera Deliciosa
- Layer in 2–3 smaller plants, use a mix of trailing (like Pothos), bushy (like Calathea), and sculptural (like Rubber Plant) styles
- Add risers like baskets, crates, or even a driftwood stump to vary height
Styling tip: Position this corner where natural light floods in or use a soft amber bulb nearby to highlight textures. Let it slightly spill into the room, it’s meant to feel abundant, not boxed in.
> A great jungle corner feels like a little pause in time, a green breath in the middle of your everyday.
5. Hang Plants From the Ceiling (Yes, Even One Works)
When in doubt, lift it up.
Boho interiors love a little swing. Hanging plants add visual play, elevate the mood (literally), and use that upper space most people forget about. One well-placed hanging vine can change the whole energy of a room.
Why it works so well:
- Pulls the eye upward and opens up tight corners
- Adds softness and movement, especially near windows
- Makes your room feel curated without feeling controlled
Where to hang your plants for maximum boho energy:
- In front of a sunlit window (hello golden glow)
- From a ceiling hook above your reading nook or bed
- In the corner of a bathroom or hallway to soften hard edges
- Grouped in a cluster, odd numbers, different lengths, for dramatic effect
Boho-friendly hanging styles:
- Macramé hangers for that handcrafted, vintage charm
- Wicker or rattan hanging baskets for earthy warmth
- Modern brass or matte black hoops if you want a slightly edgier feel
> And if you’re renting? Use a removable adhesive ceiling hook or hang from a curtain rod, boho doesn’t ask for permission, just creativity.
6. Style Open Surfaces With Loose Greenery
Let the plants wander, just a little.
Boho style doesn’t believe in stiff arrangements or perfectly trimmed edges. It loves a surface that feels spontaneous, like it just… happened. Styling coffee tables, bookshelves, or dressers with loose, layered greenery adds that touch of carefree abundance.
Why this works:
- Makes the space feel more natural and less curated
- Adds visual texture without heavy decor
- Perfectly blurs the line between styling and life
Where and how to do it:
- On a shelf: Let a vine trail off one side, paired with a candle and a small ceramic trinket
- On a nightstand: Place a single leafy plant next to a stack of books, bonus if the leaves gently drape over the edge
- On a console: Use a trailing plant next to framed art or a woven basket to ground the vignette
- On a dining table: Add a low, wide plant in a rustic container to soften the setup
Boho tip: Resist the urge to “fix” things. A leaf hanging off the edge? A stem twisting toward the light? Leave it. That’s where the charm lives.
> True boho energy is relaxed, not rigid. Let your plants sprawl a little, and your space will breathe a lot.
7. Sprinkle in a Touch of Imperfection
If it looks too perfect, it’s not boho enough.
The secret sauce of boho spaces? They don’t try too hard. A tilted pot, a vine that’s wandered too far, an old container that’s seen better days, all of it adds soul. When it comes to boho, perfection is overrated and personality is everything.
Why imperfection completes the look:
- Makes your space feel lived-in and authentic, not over-designed
- Highlights your personal style and creativity
- Encourages relaxation, it’s okay if things aren’t “just so”
Easy ways to embrace the charm:
- Let leaves trail over furniture without trimming
- Display that sun-faded pot you thrifted instead of hiding it
- Mix worn textures with clean ones, rough next to polished always works in boho
- Let your plants lean, tangle, or twist a little, it’s part of the story
Mood tip: Light incense, drape a throw, let your plants sprawl a bit. Suddenly, your space feels less like a showroom and more like a sanctuary.
> Boho is the art of making imperfection beautiful. And plants? They’re your best co-conspirators.
Conclusion
You don’t need to overhaul your furniture or shop vintage markets to channel that wild, layered, soul-filled boho aesthetic. With just plants, layered, hung, draped, and styled with a little irreverence, you can fake a full-blown makeover that feels collected, cozy, and creative.
This isn’t about perfection. It’s about energy. Texture. Freedom. Let your space sprawl a bit. Let your greenery overgrow. And most of all, have fun faking it.
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