Isn t your kitchen worth a fresh decision than white run-of-the-mill cabinets and antiseptic counters? I have had to repaint and redecorate hundreds of kitchens in hundreds of homes so I can say this with confidence: boho chic kitchens are one thing. They are comfy, fancy and have that magical power to make everybody feel like being greeted immediately.
Having redesigned dozens of kitchens over the last few years, I have come to the conclusion that there are seven really critical boho ideas that will deliver you the maximum style with surprisingly minimal effort. Feel like making love with your kitchen again?
Statement Lighting That Commands Attention
Pendant lighting either makes or breaks boho boho kitchen. I’m talking to the annual Christmas etiquette decor, those show-stopping showstoppers that become mid-conversation conversation stopper and a guest will ask, Where did you find that?
My present addiction? Rattan pendants that are hand woven and combined with old fashioned Edison bulbs. Their dappled warm light makes this extremely comfortable atmosphere into your kitchen making it feel like a classy getaway.
Consider these chic lighting options:
- Moroccan brass pendants with intricate geometric cutouts
- Natural fiber drum shades in jute or bamboo
- Clustered pendant arrangements at varying heights
- Statement chandeliers with mixed materials
Haven you ever wondered why some kitchens are taking the social posts so decently? It is typically the lighting that does most of the heavy lifting.
Sophisticated Color Schemes That Actually Work
Never mind all of what you believe you know about boho colors being all popping oranges and purple. Boho chic today indulges in elaborate pastels and sophisticated neutral shades that are fashionable and timeless at the same time.
I just painted a clients kitchen in warm sage green cabinetry, cream walls, and terracotta accents. The result? Pure whimsy that photographs perfectly but has that warm & lived-in feel.
| Base Colors | Accent Colors |
|---|---|
| Sage green, warm cream, natural wood | Terracotta, mustard, deep teal |
| Soft taupe, matte black, brass | Burnt orange, rust, olive |
The key is in finding a balance between earthy colors and one and/or two deeper jewel tones. This style gives a lot of depth, but does not fill up your room.
Textural Backsplashes Beyond Basic Subway
Boho chic kitchens look good with textural backsplashes that make a statement right away. I am so, so tired of those damn white subway tiles in everything it makes me sick, the creativity has gone out the window!
The irregularly glazed hand-thrown ceramic tiles evoke this amazing, picked-up-on-a-journey vibe something mechanical tile just can not achieve. The minute differences in color of texture will reflect the light in different ways at different times of the day so your backsplash becomes a living work of art.
My favorite textural options include:
- Zellige tiles in soft, muted colors
- Natural stone with visible mineral veining
- Pressed tin tiles for vintage charm
- Geometric cement tiles in earthy tones
Installation Tips for Maximum Impact
Your base backsplash installation should be working outward and starting in the center. This will make anything you cut go into the corners made less noticeable instead of directly behind your stove where everyone may see it.
Curated Open Shelving Systems
Booj style open shelving screams come out when designed shrewdly. What is the secret sauce? Combining lovely regular things with deliberate pieces of decoration that reveals your story.
The best advice I long to give out to my clients is the need to always think of their open shelves as artistic galleries and not deposits. Put your most beautiful crockery next to tiny plants, old cookery books and hand-crafted pots of differing heights.
Here’s my foolproof styling formula:
- One-third functional: Dishes, glassware, frequently used items
- One-third decorative: Plants, pottery, interesting objects
- One-third breathing room: Empty space prevents visual clutter
FYI -arranging items in odd numbers is more interesting to see as opposed to even grouping. It works, it works, it is one of those design gimmicks we sometimes all need!
Natural Materials That Elevate Everything
The use of natural materials makes normal kitchens elegant boho Impressive. What I mean by this is things that add a touch of warmth, texture, organicess (is that a word?).
Floating shelves made with reclaimed wood in combination with live-edge countertops are some amazing focal points that are rustic but classy. That is the secret: one has to select pieces with good grain patterns and natural blemishes.
Consider these natural material additions:
- Butcher block islands with visible wood grain
- Woven storage baskets in various sizes
- Stone or marble surfaces with natural veining
- Jute or seagrass area rugs for warmth
Mixed Metal Hardware for Visual Interest
Boho chic kitchens elate free metal finishes as opposed to everything being perfectly matched. This multilayered effect gives visual interest and allows your area not to feel too perfect (which, to be fair, can somewhat appear sterile).
I am partial to bi metallic combo of hot brass cabinet pulls and matte black faucets as well as copper accents. The juxtaposition gives this casual laid-back feel that shouts luxurious and not uber pretentious.
Choosing Your Metal Mix
Use only two or three metal finishes at most since more can create a visual disorder. Smooth metals (brass, copper) look great combined with one cold-coloured metal (matte black, brushed nickel) to create a balance.
| Warm Metals | Cool Metals |
|---|---|
| Brass, copper, gold | Matte black, brushed nickel, chrome |
Plants and Greenery That Actually Thrive
So what about the elephant in the room, not everyone is blessed with a green thumb, everyone however can effectively use plants to their boho chic kitchen with the right decisions.
This has been a lesson well learnt on my part, I have killed more plants than I want to count. I now plant almost unkillable varieties that are so beautiful and tolerate my lapses in care.
My top kitchen plant recommendations:
- Snake plants: Perfect for corners with limited light
- Pothos: Gorgeous trailing vines that thrive anywhere
- ZZ plants: Glossy leaves that handle neglect beautifully
- Herb gardens: Functional beauty you can actually cook with
Have you ever felt that a kitchen full of plants is more lively? There is real science to this, plants degrade the air we breathe and calmstress in us.
Strategic Plant Placement
Plant the groups at various heights, to provide visual layers. Trailing varieties should be in hanging planters, medium ones on the counter and larger, statement plants on the floor.
Bringing Your Boho Chic Vision Together
Designing a cohesive boho chic kitchen is not a fixed formula- it is rather a layering of elements that reflect your style, most importantly, the feeling is of overall refinement.
Begin with a single statement piece which will get you most excited. Perhaps it is the beautiful pendant lights you laid your eyes on, or a beautiful backsplash that harkens your heart. Go on top of that and layer in.
IMO the most beautiful kitchens are developed with time and not done on a stomach-churning-weekend-shopping-spree. In utilizing this organic style, your space will not be the picture-perfect one demonstrated in catalogs.
The boho chic style has a magic in the fact that it can look sophisticated and comfortable at the same time. Your kitchen must be able to foster hour long chatter over morning coffee and savvy enough to host a dinner party. It is the promised land of utility and glamour- and really, the truth is, isn t that just what we all need out of the heart of our homes?