How Do You Create a Boho Patio?

Chock full of quirky, colorful charm, boho outdoor decor brings a carefree look to backyard decks and balconies. Creative influences from different cultures, vintage designs, cheerful mixes of prints and patterns, contrasting textures and casual furnishings are the heart and soul of this fun, laid-back style.

When brainstorming boho patio decor ideas, an artsy attitude and a little rebellion go a long way. Whether you want a riot of colors, prints, pillows and poufs, or a monochrome color palette made bold with rich textures and captivating accents, once you know your boho basics, you can customize these cozy, creative layouts to suit your personal tastes and style.

A creative mix of textures and patterns is essential for bohemian decor.

Overview

In this boho patio guide, you'll learn all you need to know to create this look on your deck or balcony. You'll discover how to:

• Incorporate natural finishes to anchor your look.
• Create a breezy, carefree mix of furniture and accents.
• Mix and match outdoor furniture styles to create the perfect boho patio.
• Boost your design with colors and patterns using essentials and accents.

Naturally Bohemian

Organic outdoor materials and natural finishes are a core component of boho patio furniture. Fun, laid-back wicker wicker porch swings, teak rocking chairs or wrought iron dining sets serve as the base for your design. The earthy textures of rattan seating, wood chairs and tables and other natural pieces combined with plush pillows and throws is part of what makes boho spaces so aesthetically pleasing.

If you're decorating a small boho patio, the ideas and materials are the same, just on a smaller scale. Low-slung hammock or a cast iron bistro set create similar vibes in spaces with limited square footage. Slim teak console tables and low-profile wicker side tables also offer surface space for drinks while setting the stage for the rest of your boho patio decor.

Combine wicker seating with smooth glass surfaces, plush cushions and flat-weave rugs to create a pleasing mix of textures.

Go with the Flow

When creating your boho patio, elements that evoke a free-spirited vibe should be a key feature of your design. Flowing curtains surrounding balcony entrances capture this aesthetic nicely. Alternatively, a canopy with billowy sidewalls leans into the nomadic nature of bohemian style while also adding a bit of shade to your layout.

Furnishings that feel carefree, and maybe a little indulgent, fit right in with boho outdoor decor. Consider shaded wicker daybeds piled high with pillows or a lavish, cushiony curved or u-shaped sectional to treat yourself to lazy afternoons in your own backyard boho getaway.

Woven accents and plush seating options embody the breezy, uninhibited nature of boho design.

Unconventional Combinations

It's always fun to break the rules, and boho patio decor gives you the freedom to do just that. Forget about carefully coordinated seating sets with matching tables. Putting pieces together in unexpected ways is a pillar of boho style. Consider the following layout ideas to get your creative juices flowing:

• Time for a Breakup: Breaking up your current outdoor furniture set is a budget-friendly way to create a boho patio layout. Swap out a pair of wood Adirondack chairs with seats from your wicker conversation set, or add wrought iron bar stools to your teak table to mix things up.
• Style Swap: If you're buying new outdoor furniture, select pieces in different styles to boost your boho vibe. Arrange a sleek modern sofa across from classic club chairs with a rustic coffee table in between. Or, combine two sets of industrial and rustic bistro chairs with an aluminum table. Just pick your favorites to create a custom, one-of-a-kind layout .
• Go Retro: Patio furniture inspired by vintage designs makes creating a bohemian vibe even easier. When shopping for retro outdoor furnishings, consider adding a vibrant red or turquoise metal glider loveseat or groovy 60s style oval chairs to set the tone for your boho porch or balcony.

Look for patio furniture inspired by retro designs to mix and match your boho layout.

Bold Patterns & Bright Colors

Once you have a fantastic, free-spirited mix of boho patio furniture, their natural, neutral finishes serve as the perfect backdrop for a mix of colors and patterns. Cool jewel tones and metallic finishes are popular, but anything goes when it comes to color. You can opt for one or two signature hues or create a joyful infusion of multiple tints and tones to create your desired look.

Ash gray cushions combined with a two-tone beige rug and white and blue cushions boost this layout's boho vibes.

Essential Elements

Start by building on your boho foundation with stylish, practical pieces that enhance your color scheme, capture your theme and make your outdoor retreat even more enjoyable. While you may not need every item on the following list, choosing a few essential accents can help you make the most of your space:

• Shady Character: Unless you're decorating a covered porch or terrace, shade is a must on hot summer days. Sunny yellow and soothing teal table umbrellas help set the tone in boho dining layouts, while red cantilever umbrellas provide a cheerful splash of color and ample shade over sectionals.
• Relaxation Boosters: Patterned poufs and cushy wicker ottomans encourage you and your guests to kick back, relax and revel in your balcony or backyard boho paradise. Choose footstools that offer plush textures as contrast to the metal or wicker materials in your layout.
• Protect and Secure: To preserve the textures and vivid colors of your boho decor, and keep smaller pieces from blowing away on windy afternoons, add a wood storage bench or deck box to your porch or patio.
• Night Lights: With the right fixtures, you can completely transform the look and feel of your patio. Lanterns and table lamps lend magical mood lighting to boho seating tucked beneath canvas canopies, while ornate chandeliers and wall sconces put the spotlight on mix and match dining layouts.

Add a warm, welcoming glow to your boho design with lanterns and string lights.

Embellish with Extras

Now that you've set the stage, it's time to accessorize and infuse your boho patio design with plenty of color, texture and personality. Wall hangings, cushions, rugs and other accents are the key to making your layout look and feel like a bohemian getaway. Use the boho patio ideas below to spark your creativity when setting up your space:

• Colorful Comforts: When choosing your accent pillows and blankets, look for textured details like fringed borders and tassels. Search for patterns inspired by different cultures, mix in some solid hues or opt for geometric prints from different eras.
• Patterns and Layers: Select a single patio rug or layer several in different sizes to create a cozy surface on decking or concrete. Consider distressed Persian or ikat patterns, bold floral prints and striped outdoor rugs to boost your color palette and add depth to your bohemian getaway.
• Heat Things Up: Pay homage to bohemian style's nomadic roots by surrounding your sectional with flickering torches, pairing your porch swing with a chimenea or adding flames to your free-spirited deck decor with a fire pit.
• Flora & Fauna: Green plants are practically a necessity in a boho look. Select planters with colorful glazes to complement the hues in your other accents, or opt for white or gray vessels to let leafy ferns and spiky succulents capture your attention.
• Artsy Details: Everything from windchimes to metal wall art fits in beautifully with this decor style. Search for fun vintage pieces, garden sculptures and artwork that bring the unexpected into your look.

Accents like plants, wall hangings and rugs are the key to unlocking your personal boho style.

By pulling together a carefree assortment of colors and patterns along with a mix of furniture and natural finishes, you can create a boho patio layout that's relaxed and chic or lively and effervescent. Build on the basics and follow your artistic instincts, and before you know it, you'll have a gorgeous, unique design that you can truly call your own.