Top 6 Coastal Boho Design Tips

In this article, we will cover our top 6 design tips on how to create an effortless coastal boho interior by combining the light and airy elements of coastal decor with the worldly charm of boho decor. The fusing of these two distinct home decor styles brings out the best of both worlds and results in a new style that is both unique and appealing.

Shop the Look: Twelve Apostles Coastal Wall Art

First, what is coastal boho style?

You may wonder, can you mix coastal and boho styles? The answer is absolutely yes! First let’s define coastal decor, boho decor and then the fusing of the two to better understand this unique style.

Coastal Decor Style:

The key design principles of modern coastal decorating are sticking with a neutral color palette and a light and airy overall aesthetic, furnishings with simple, clean lines, and natural beach-inspired materials such as rattan, driftwood, unfinished wood and stone. The feeling coastal decor is looking to achieve is to recreate the refreshed and relaxed feeling you get spending time at the beach.

Bohemian Decor Style:

Bohemian decorating embraces the eclectic, with ornate patterns, rich colors, layers of texture and worldly collectibles on display. The overall feeling boho decor is looking to achieve is an inviting, global inspired, eclectic space, full of interest and intrigue.

Coastal Boho Decor Style:

When combining the two styles, the goal is to highlight the best aspects of each – the breezy, natural aesthetic of coastal decor and the charming intrigue of boho decor.

Let’s take a look at our top 6 practical design tips on how to successfully blend these two distinctive decorating styles into a cohesive look and get you on your way to creating your own coastal boho oasis.

Shop the Look: Minimalist Beach Framed Art Print

Design Tip #1: Coastal Boho Colors

Colors play a vital role in defining the coastal boho aesthetic. The main color principle to take from modern coastal home decor is to lay a foundation of neutral colors. The main places to apply this principle will be the large pieces of furniture such as couches, armchairs, and beds and large surface areas such as kitchen cabinetry, countertops and walls. Stick with neutral colors – anything in the white color family, sandy browns and beiges, and light wood finishes.

With a light foundation in place, the boho part of coastal boho is where you can introduce some of the rich colors characteristic of the boho charm. To stay true to the coastal boho style, don’t go overboard with colors – simple and understated is the name of the game with this decor style – but do have fun incorporating some of your favorites!

You can add in pops of your favorite bold colors such as mustard yellow, burnt orange, pink or red. You could add in gem colors such as deep purple, blue or jungle green. There are many different color schemes you could choose.

Shop the Look: Venice Italy Set of 2 Art Prints

Shop the Look: Venice Italy Framed Photography Print

Design Tip #2: Plants

Plants, plants and more plants. There is no simpler interior design tip to create a coastal boho oasis than to add as many houseplants as you can reasonably take on. Plants create an instant coastal boho ambience, add to our mental well-being and purify the indoor air quality – what’s not to love!

If you don’t consider yourself to possess a green thumb, succulents are quite forgiving! Or you can opt for dried pampas or faux plants and still achieve the look.

Design Tip #3: Woven lamps & light fixtures

Another key styling tip that ties together the coastal and boho decor styles beautifully is to select accent lamps and light fixtures made of natural materials. Wicker, rattan or other natural braided or woven materials give off both a beachy and Moroccan feel.

Shop the Look: Greece Wall Art Set of 3

Design Tip #4: Rattan and wicker furniture

The addition of wicker or rattan chairs in the living room, dining room, bar stools, or even a wicker coffee table can transform a space into coastal boho. The natural elements and materials paired with the neutral color palette give an earthy yet light and breezy feel that represents the style well.

Design Tip #5: Woven wall hangings and baskets

A key decor element with the boho style is incorporating woven wall hangings such as wall baskets and macrame wall art. Macrame can also be used for hanging plants.

Design Tip #6: Coastal Boho Wall Art

Wall art is a great place to tie the whole look together. A coastal scene, a desert landscape or a framed travel photograph are some wall art ideas to complement the coastal boho aesthetic.