You recognize that sensation you get when you go into a building and immediately feel comfortable in it? And that is what a boho kitchen gives you and honestly, I am absolutely obsessed with it at the moment. I have remodeled kitchens all over the place, but the casual, gathered-over time feel that bohemian can exude on what can be considered the center of any residence has been a constant winner.
Now I am going to tell you the ten transformative concepts that can whisk your kitchen out of meh and into mind-blowingly boho without going bankrupt (or insane).
Natural Wood Elements That Actually Work
Everything in a boho kitchen changes with the use of reclaimed wood. I mean the beautiful strikingly flawed ones that have a story line in their worn grain and natural variations.
Wood can be used in a floating shelf, butcher block countertops or even a major pop ceiling treatment. And the trick here is? Everything does not have to go well together that is what is called boho style.
| Wood Element | Best Placement |
|---|---|
| Reclaimed shelving | Above sink or stove |
| Live edge counters | Kitchen islands or breakfast bars |
The coziness which is provided by wood immediately supplements any area. And your kitchen will be much kinder to you in having preferred character over cookie-cutter perfection, I can guarantee it.
Textured Backsplashes That Make a Statement
No dull looking subway tiles (not sorry). The look you want to achieve in your boho kitchen is formed with Moroccan-inspired cement tiles or handmade ceramics that form the visual interest.
I just put in a geometric back splash in warm terracotta and people just cannot stop taking pictures of it. The texture takes the light differently during the day providing this fantastic dynamic background.
Consider these texture-rich options:
- Hand-painted ceramic tiles with irregular glazing
- Natural stone with visible veining
- Pressed tin tiles for vintage charm
- Zellige tiles for that perfectly imperfect handmade look
Woven Storage Solutions
Have you ever wondered why kitchens give you the feeling of coziness, and then there are those that are clinical? It is all about the use of natural materials that make the space warm and humane.
Have you ever wondered the reason as to why a particular kitchen may feel homely whereas another one feels sterilized? Everything is about the use of natural materials, which will make the space warm and humane.
I place my onions and potatoes in baskets and even use them to corral kitchen linens: they are perfect spaces to keep all sorts of things. The best thing? One is capable of seeing what the inside looks like and remaining organized.
Plants, Plants, and More Plants
As a famous person once said, it doesn;t feel like a boho kitchen without that greenery big game. Hanging planters are a miracle in the small kitchens.
My personal favorites for kitchen environments:
- Pothos: Thrives in various light conditions and looks gorgeous trailing from shelves
- Snake plants: Perfect for darker corners and practically indestructible
- Herb gardens: Functional beauty that you can actually cook with
Pro tip: Plant of varying heights to add layers. Your kitchen window turns into a minute garden refuge.
Vintage Rugs That Tie Everything Together
So, this is one of the most common mistakes when it comes to kitchen rugs most people may make, they will think that they would require something extremely practical and a bore. When you go right, vintage Persian or kilim rugs in fact look beautiful in the kitchen.
Shop for teardrop or ivy-shape-pod vintage-style tiny rugs in rich jewel or misty pastel hues. The one-of-a-kind pattern and pattern instantly basements your boho way of life while creating the area appearance really put together as opposed to embellished.
Tip: darker patterns conceal stains much more than light colors (I learned this lesson the hard way with one beautiful cream-colored rug ::/ ).
Mixed Metal Magic
Tip: darker designs cover stains far better than lighter ones (As I found out the hard way with one of my lovely cream-colored rugs ::/ ).
I adore combining brass cabinet knobs with coppers and matte black fixtures and pendants. The juxtaposition gives an image interest without chaos.
Think about incorporating mixed metals through:
- Cabinet hardware in different finishes
- Light fixtures that combine materials
- Decorative objects like copper bowls or brass trivets
Open Shelving Done Right
That is because open shelving is all about the boho cry. When it is styled with a purpose and not just filled with junk up there. The secret? Combine the useful with the pretty objects in different heights and textures.
Put your most beautiful dishes and set small plants, old books and hand made pottery on them. Its not about absolute symmetry, the object is to come up with vignettes that look naturally accreted.
Make sure to keep all those everyday utensils in an easily accessible place and utilize high shelves to place decorations that augment to what you are trying to achieve.
Artisanal Lighting Fixtures
Any boho kitchen will need more than generic pendant lights. Handwoven pendant shades, macramé fixtures or old-fashioned brass chandeliers – all contribute to the warm, welcoming ambiance which is characteristic for the bohemian style.
I have a current obsession with rattan pendant lights, as they can provide the most lovely dappled light and they look absolutely perfect at islands in a kitchen or over dinner tables.
Consider these statement lighting options:
- Moroccan-inspired metal pendants with intricate cutouts
- Natural fiber shades in jute or seagrass
- Vintage-style Edison bulb fixtures with exposed elements
Color Palettes That Feel Effortless
Boho kitchens suit warm, natural, earthy colour palettes that feel natural, not contrived. Imagine terracotta, sage green, cream on deep blues, colours from the wild.
The secret I’ve picked up on is? Begin with neutrals as the foundation and add colour with accessories, textiles and plants. This way you can change seasons whilst not needing to break real estate.
| Base Colors | Accent Colors |
|---|---|
| Cream, warm white, natural wood | Terracotta, sage, mustard yellow |
| Soft grays, weathered blues | Burnt orange, deep teal, rust |
IMO, it is better to have no stark white walls and everything becomes easier to live in.
Personal Collections and Vintage Finds
It is perhaps my best part about boho kitchen design- showcasing your own collections instead of putting them in closets. Those old copper pots, hand crafted ceramics or pottery collected on a trip? They should be in the limelight.
Prepare special places in which objects conveying your story are presented. An old wooden bowl filled with fruit of the season is art. Your grandmother mixing bowls should be accommodated on open shelves.
When it comes to personal collections versus something store-bought, the collections win a thousand times over the decor. Your kitchen is a reflection of your journey and not a page of a catalogue.
Bringing It All Together
Making a boho kitchen is not a matter of ticking boxes and doing everything by the book but rather a matter of layering items that resonate with you on a personal level. Great boho interiors appear to have been gathered throughout the years and each item can add to a general air of coziness and authenticity.
Begin by choosing one or two things that you are the most enthusiastic to do. Perhaps it is that lovely vintage carpet you have been dreaming of, or some spectacular looking lighting that you cannot help but fall in love with. Start with that, allow your space to develop itself.
Keep in mind that the sexiest kitchens are not necessarily the ones that appear as spreads in magazines but rather those that encourage staying over for a pot of morning coffee and inviting friends to a spur of the minute dinner party. That is what bohemian style is really about 🙂