I understand, okay? You look at Pinterest and that dreamy boho kitchen with its curated mess only to recognize that it would give you little more car than you spent. Here is the thing though, you do not need to spend a bucket of money to achieve that carefree bohemia essence in your kitchen. I have, I have sat with my ugly, builder-type kitchen and wondered how I could fix my kitchen without selling a kidney.
After many, many DIY (some were disasters, some were hit) I finally figured out how to make that killer boho-chic kitchen look without the designer price tag. Responde tu cocina a un paraíso boho? Let’s conjure something up.
What Makes a Kitchen “Boho” Anyway?
So what exactly qualifies as boho style? Before rushing into the juicy parts, here is a little discussion on what boho actually is. Consider warm shades with an earthy palette and a sprinkle of jewel tones, organic fabrics that you want to reach out and feel and that eclectic found-over-time kind of feel. I am kind of imagining your kitchen went on some world tour and collected the finest piece in each location.
The charm of the boho fashion? It hails the flaw and it subscribes to the more is more philosophy seemingly and rightly so since it is in fact perfect for the likes of us who cannot afford to begin with.
1. Transform Your Backsplash with Peel-and-Stick Magic
The backsplash in question is rich rent territory and peel-and-stick tiles are its low-cost BFF, so keep them close. I mean in the form of Moroccan-inspired patterns or geometric design or even mimics of the natural stone which will leave everyone convinced that you employed a professional.
Quick Installation Tips:
Thoroughly dust off whatever it is you want to cover (Believe me on this one) • Roll out a dough from the center and work out • Use the rolling pin to get air bubbles out • Combining patterns will yield that natural boho eclectic look
The nicest part is? Most peel-and stick choices are priced between 1-3 dollars per square foot. Consider that compared to actual tile installation and you end up saving as your wallet does a happy dance 🙂
| Budget Option | Splurge Alternative | Savings |
|---|---|---|
| Peel-and-stick tiles ($50-150) | Professional tile installation ($800-2000) | $750-1850 |
2. Embrace Open Shelving (And Hide the Ugly Stuff)
There is nothing boho more than putting up an open shelving filled with pretty, mismatched dishes and plants. And this is my insider secret, you do not have to replace the cabinets. Simply take off some cabinet doors and decorate what they shelter.
I had this lesson forced upon me when I ended up buying floating shelves when I did not need them, and did not actually open the cabinets to see that they actually functioned better without their doors. The answer is sitting in front of our noses sometimes you know?
Styling Your Open Shelves:
Pair ceramic bowls with woven baskets • Place trailing plants such as pothos or string of pearls • Put colorful drinking glasses and antiques on display • Stack books of travel or culinary interests
Pro tip: Store things that you use regularly and are down to earth on these open shelves. Nothing is worse than gorgeous shelves that you are not allowed to operate with.
3. Bring in the Greenery (Even if You Kill Plants)
Boho style is not possible without plants. However, do not yet freak out over your black thumb. You will never need to be a plant whisperer in one day.
Foolproof Plant Picks:
Pothos- actually lives on neglect • Snake plants- are ideal to have in dark corners • Succulents- water once a month and forget about it • Herbs- as functional and can be as beautiful (hello, fresh basil)
I have killed a million plants that I would prefer to forget, but these ones have refused to die out despite my bad habits of care. Put them in some macrame hanger, etc in a muddy color or baskets or planters of a muddy finish.
4. Layer Those Rugs Like a Pro
Want to instantly goodies your kitchen? Layer rugs. It sounds nuts but this trick performs a boho magic in getting that gathered, lived-in.
Buy a bigger neutral jute rug and place a patterned smaller instead. Imagine Persian-style motifs, tribal prints or just something in deep jewel colors. It is all about selecting the rugs, which are a bit different but not exactly the same, this is where the boho magic is.
Rug Layering Formula:
• Bottom layer: Natural fiber (jute, sisal, or seagrass) • Top layer: Patterned with 2-3 colors max • Size: Top rug should be 18-24 inches smaller than bottom rug
5. Macrame Everything (Within Reason)
Macrame is a big deal and truthfully.. I am in on it. Hang some macrame plant hangers and you have likely the simplest method to create those boho vibes in the kitchen.
Thrift stores are a great source to find cheap alternatives or use YouTube; it has about a million tutorials should you get crafty My personal favorite, first plant hanging macrame, was created during an overly ambitious weekend and although it is definitely not the Pinterest version, it is still serving the purpose and filling in with some personality.
Where to Add Macrame:
Hang planters over windows, and make a macrame trash can • a utensil holder, a light fixture cover, or trivets to keep hot dishes on
6. Mix Metals and Textures Fearlessly
Forget everything you have heard about the matching of metals. Boho style gives tribute to the blend. Brass cabinet hardware next to silver kitchen appliances next to copper pots? Absolutely perfect.
I used to worry about everything matching but now that I have embraced the mixtures (ok, this has not been an overnight thing but years of accumulating) my kitchen is just so much more fascinating and well-collected. Besides, it implies that you can spend your money on second-hand items, without having to worry that you will find an exact match.
Mixing Guide:
Choose a warm metal (copper, brass, bronze) OR cool metal (silver, chrome, black) as a main theme and another metal (contrast) not more than once • Repetition of other metals, at least twice, to balance • Range of metal choices can be only 2 levels (warmer and cooler)
7. Create a Gallery Wall with Personality
Living rooms are not the only place comprising gallery walls. Even your kitchen walls are in need of a little attention, and this is where you should get as creative as possible.
Combine old cooking tools and tiny plants, colorful earthenware and possibly some family pictures. I have my old wooden spoons of my grandmother on display next to a little succulent in a ceramic pot that I bought at a garage sale which tells the story and costs hardly anything.
Gallery Wall Elements:
• Vintage kitchen tools • Small hanging plants • Colorful plates or bowls • Inspirational quotes about food or travel • Family photos or travel memories
8. Swap Out Hardware for Instant Impact
This one is BIG , Everyone. Upgrading your cabinet hardware is like a mini face lift for you kitchen under 100$.
Search out brass, copper or black iron Pulls of an interesting shape. Pulls of leather are also momentary as well and give the boho touch. Avoid the overly matched appearance and combine things, round knobs on one cabinet, bar pulls on another.
| Hardware Style | Best For | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Brass geometric pulls | Upper cabinets | $3-8 each |
| Leather tab pulls | Drawers | $5-12 each |
9. Add Warmth with Textiles and Baskets
Woven baskets are what make boho design unsung heroes. They are practical, decorative, and just great storage to stuff all that stuff in the kitchen that we simply ignore because we know it is really there.
I have baskets filled with dish towels to onions and they even transform the most ordinary store into something purposeful. Pop some colorful tea towels on there, perhaps a vintage-style table runner and suddenly your kitchen is ready to feature in a design magazine.
Textile and Basket Ideas:
Big baskets to carry potatoes and onions • Small baskets to keep cutlery or napkins • Bright color dish towels in the jewel colors • Table runners with tribal-looking or geometrical patterns • Placemats woven and to be used daily
10. Light It Up with Statement Fixtures
This is where you will make the greatest impact by only one single change. You can change the mood in your kitchen entirely with pendant lights, and you do not even have to do any wiring of course in case you already have them.
Seek out rattan, wicker or metal pieces that have lots of character. I scored my fave pendant light at a thrift store for like $15 – needed a new cord, no problem, that was like a $5 fix overthan it would’ve cost me 100’s
Lighting Options by Budget:
Below 50: Thrift store finds, macrame light DIY-ing at the home • 50-150: Lights on the internet, woven lights of natural fiber • 150 plus: Design inspired imitations, vintage one of a kind light finds
Poorly placed your ceiling fitting? Some string lighting around open shelving or under the cabinets to get that nice, warm, cozy feeling that makes everything just look nice.
Making It All Work Together
The trick to achieving boho style is to encourage the blemished. Truth is your kitchen does not have to be out of a magazine; it is supposed to feel like a home.
Take this list, and start with one idea or two. I started with a few plants and new equipment and slowly I layered until I got something I loved. That is the beauty of the boho style though; it should not look bought at once.
As you may recollect, a great boho kitchen narrates something. Perhaps it is the ceramic bowl you picked up on holiday, the plant your friend brought you or your vintage spoon collection which you inherited. Combine those useful parts with cost-efficient renovations, and you will have a kitchen that is not only gorgeous, but it is also uniquely you.
BTW, Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither was the perfect boho kitchen. Slow down, shop second hand when you can and above all else – have fun with it! Isnt that just what boho style is all about, after all?