The boho aesthetic is the style of free spirits: flowing maxi skirts, embroidered tops, fringe, layered jewelry, and rooms full of plants, rattan, macramé and souvenirs from everywhere. It’s warm, relaxed and personal, and it looks best when it’s full of things you’ve collected over time.
Several of our quizzes have a Boho result, and the room aesthetic quiz is a good place to start.
What Is the Boho Aesthetic?
Boho blends vintage, handmade and global influences into a relaxed, artistic look. In fashion, that means natural fabrics, loose silhouettes, prints and craft details like crochet and embroidery. At home, it means layered textiles, natural materials, lots of plants and a “collected over time” feeling.
Where Did Boho Come From?
“Boho” is short for “bohemian,” which first meant someone from Bohemia (today part of the Czech Republic). In 19th-century Paris the word came to describe unconventional artists and writers, and it has meant creative, free-spirited living ever since.
The modern look draws heavily on the late 1960s and 1970s: hippie fashion, folk music and travel along the “hippie trail.” It had a big revival in the mid-2000s as “boho chic,” with festival outfits, suede boots and coin belts everywhere, and designers brought it back to the runways again in 2024. At home, boho has been a Pinterest favorite for years thanks to rattan, macramé and plant-filled rooms.
Boho Style Icons
- Stevie Nicks: flowing chiffon, shawls and platform boots
- Jane Birkin: white dresses, jeans and her famous straw basket bag
- Talitha Getty: the 1960s Marrakech kaftan look
- Sienna Miller and Kate Moss: the 2000s boho chic uniform of coin belts, tunics and suede boots
The Boho Color Palette
Terracotta, mustard, sand, sage, rust and cream: earthy, sun-warmed colors. Mix patterns within this palette for a look that feels layered but still hangs together.
Boho Fashion: Key Pieces
- Tiered maxi skirts and dresses
- Embroidered or peasant blouses
- Crochet tops and cardigans
- Suede and fringe jackets or bags
- Flared jeans
- Leather sandals and ankle boots
- Layered necklaces, stacked rings and hoops
- A wide-brim hat or a silk headscarf
3 Boho Outfit Formulas
- Summer: tiered maxi skirt + fitted tank + layered necklaces + leather sandals.
- Festival: crochet top + flared jeans + fringe bag + ankle boots.
- Fall: floral maxi dress + chunky cardigan + suede boots + wide-brim hat.
The Different Kinds of Boho
| Style | What it looks like |
|---|---|
| 70s boho | Flares, suede, fringe, crochet and warm oranges and browns |
| Boho chic | The 2000s festival look: tunics, coin belts, gladiator sandals, big sunglasses |
| Modern boho | A neutral base (white walls, clean lines) with rattan, plants and a few textiles |
| Desert boho | Terracotta, cacti, woven rugs, leather and sunset colors |
Boho Room Decor Ideas
- Layer two rugs (a jute base with a patterned rug on top)
- Rattan, wicker and cane furniture
- A macramé or woven wall hanging above the bed
- Lots of plants at different heights: pothos, monstera, snake plants
- Floor cushions and poufs for extra seating
- Warm string lights and a paper or rattan pendant lamp
- Shelves of travel finds, pottery and books
Boho Habits and Lifestyle
- Shopping flea markets and local makers
- Travel and slow exploring
- Crafts like macramé, pottery or embroidery
- Caring for houseplants
- Cooking with spices from different cuisines
Your travel style might be Boho Adventurer; find out in the travel aesthetic quiz.
Boho on a Budget
Boho is perfect for secondhand: thrift stores and flea markets are full of rattan, baskets, brass and vintage textiles. Propagate plants from cuttings, make simple macramé from cotton cord, and use thrifted scarves as wall hangings or pillow covers.
Boho Makeup and Hair
Boho beauty is sun-kissed and relaxed: bronzer, a warm terracotta blush, brown or bronze eyeshadow, and a nude or brick lip. Hair is textured and a little undone: loose waves, braids, a headscarf or a few tiny braids with beads.
Boho Weddings and Parties
Boho is one of the most popular party and wedding styles: pampas grass, dried flowers, macramé backdrops, rugs and floor cushions, lanterns and golden-hour ceremonies. See if it’s your style with our wedding aesthetic quiz.
Sustainable Boho
- Buy vintage and secondhand textiles and furniture
- Choose natural materials like cotton, jute, wool and wood
- Support local artisans and fair-trade makers
- Repair and restyle instead of replacing
- Grow plants from cuttings and swap with friends
Boho FAQ
What is the difference between boho and cottagecore?
Cottagecore is rooted in traditional country life (linen, florals, baking), while boho is more global and free-spirited (rattan, macramé, bold patterns, travel finds). See our Cottagecore guide.
Can boho look modern?
Yes. Modern boho keeps a neutral base (white walls, clean furniture) and adds boho texture through plants, rattan and a few textiles.
What colors go with boho decor?
Warm earth tones like terracotta, mustard, rust and sand, softened with cream and sage. Green from real plants counts as part of the palette.
Find Your Vibe
Take the room aesthetic quiz, the fashion aesthetic quiz, or read about 20 popular types of aesthetics.
Keep Exploring
More guides you might love, plus a two-minute quiz to name your vibe.
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