How to Achieve a Boho Style Home Exterior
By: Cassie McDowell
From French country and coastal to modern mountain and Mediterranean, the list of house styles is seemingly endless. We’ve covered a wide variety of home styles on our blog already, but we know there’s still plenty more for us to highlight. With that in mind, in this post, we’re shining the spotlight on boho style.
Below, we explain what boho style is, what the key characteristics of the aesthetic are, and much more. Keep reading to learn how you can achieve a boho style home exterior.
Whether you want to infuse your exterior with boho style or are interested in exploring another aesthetic, we’ve got you covered. Our team of expert designers will create a photorealistic rendering of your dream exterior and provide a resource list that’ll help you bring it to life. Learn more about our virtual exterior design services.
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What is boho house style?
If you find yourself wondering, “What is boho style?,” you’re in the right place because we’re about to share everything you need to know. Boho style is eclectic and free-spirited, and because there aren’t many rules associated with this style, it can be hard to pin down. But in general, boho style emphasizes nature and organic elements, such as wood and metal. You’ll typically find lots of different textures in boho style designs, especially woven textures like wicker and rattan. Mixing various patterns is also popular. In terms of color, earth tones are common, but bolder and more vibrant hues, such as jewel tones, are also frequently used.
Embrace earth tones
As we mentioned above, earth tones are frequently used in boho style home designs. We embraced an earth tone color palette for the home above to achieve the owner’s desired aesthetic. The homeowner told us they wanted a “more stylish mid-century modern house” with a “Palm Springs/boho vibe.” Our design for the front of the home also features plenty of natural elements, such as the vertical wood siding, the wood columns supporting the awning over the entrance, the awning’s wood ceiling, and the Corten steel planters that frame the entry.
On the back side of the home, we designed a boho-chic, resort-like outdoor oasis. We carried many of the natural elements from the front of the home through to the backyard — and added a few more (the wood fence and pergola covering the outdoor kitchen). Lounge chairs and umbrellas by the pool help create the resort-like feel. String lights add to the whimsical, boho-inspired vibe.
Combine exterior styles
If you like boho style but aren’t sure you want to fully commit to it, try mixing it with another home style. Combining different house styles is more common than you might think, and we get tons of requests from clients who need help pulling it off.
The owner of the home above said they are drawn to multiple different styles, including boho, coastal, and traditional. Rather than settle on just one, we incorporated aspects of all three to give the client the look they desired. The blue-green paint color on the siding gives off coastal and boho vibes, while the creamy white used on the stucco, fascia, and soffits leans more traditional. The textured chairs further enhance the boho aesthetic, while the Bahama shutters are decidedly coastal.
Mimic your interior
If your interior already has a boho style design, you can easily take inspiration from the inside of your home and apply to the exterior. The owner of the home above described their interior style as “rustic boho/Scandinavian.” They also mentioned one of the interior’s standout features was a fireplace with floor to ceiling light-colored stacked stone. With that context, we suggested white ledgestone for the base of the porch and columns and white limewash for the brick accent wall. Wood elements in a variety of shades add plenty of warmth.
Add a fun accent wall
This client desired a timeless, classic exterior but also wanted the outside of the home to feel connected to the interior, which has a mix of boho, mid-century modern, and coastal influences. We recommended a clean and classic white hue for the siding. But, to bring out the boho vibes, we designed a decorative accent wall rendered in Benjamin Moore’s Sweet Innocence. This pale gray with a hint of blue — which we also used on the front door — adds a playful touch to the exterior.
Use natural materials
As we’ve touched on earlier in this post (and will continue to touch on later), natural materials are a key component of boho style designs. Wood, stone, and metal are all common natural materials we use frequently in our designs, especially when a boho aesthetic is the goal. For the home above, we suggested wood garage doors and columns for the patio awning, which features a metal roof. We also rendered the wall around the entrance with a gorgeous gray stone that complements the earthy siding color.
Paint your brick
The main goal this client had for their home renovation was to create a “modern and glamorous boho chic” design for the exterior.
The most impactful suggestion we made was to paint the brick. We recommended Sherwin Williams’ Moderne White, a bright white with cool green undertones, for the brick. To create contrast, we we rendered the trim and shutters in Benjamin Moore’s Black Beauty, a rich, elegant hue that helps provide the touch of glamour the client desired. The home’s new color palette is classic and timeless, and it instantly elevates the exterior. Boho touches include window boxes overflowing with greenery, a trellis in the courtyard, and cozy chairs with an open weave design.
Get cozy
Boho style is cozy — and it doesn’t get any cozier than the home exterior above. The paint color used on the stucco, Benjamin Moore’s Seapearl, a creamy off-white with warm undertones, acts as a lovely backdrop for the finishes. Speaking of finishes, we incorporated plenty of wood elements and cozy decor items. The hand-woven chairs with plush pillows, patterned rug, and planters on the patio make the outdoor living space feel warm and welcoming. A breeze block wall adds more character and visual interest.
The client described their style as “mid-century modern meets boho cottage,” and we think this design fits the bill perfectly.
Boho style for business exteriors
Boho style isn’t just for home exteriors — it can also enhance the curb appeal of your business. The owner of this coffee shop wanted us to infuse their commercial property with a “modern, industrial, boho vibe.” The monochromatic color palette, which consists of Sherwin Williams’ Tricorn Black, checks the modern and industrial boxes. The use of raw materials, such as Corten steel for the planters and iron columns, also contributes to the industrial aesthetic. The wood siding and decking, whimsical string lights, cozy sectional, and large rugs provide the boho vibe the client requested.
Bring your boho style home exterior to life
Achieving a boho style aesthetic for your home exterior is easier than you think. With the right color palette, building materials, and decor pieces, you can bring your bohemian dream home to life. Think earth tones, organic materials, and accent pieces with plenty of patterns and textures.
Whatever style you hope to infuse your home exterior with, we can help. We can recommend paint colors and help you visualize updates such as a covered patio, dormer addition, or new siding. Your beautiful bohemian oasis awaits. Begin your exterior design project today.
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