How to Decorate Your Patio, Boho Style

Does your current outdoor style not spark the same joy it once did? Or are you starting with a blank slate and looking for design direction?

If you're drawn to varied and vibrant color palettes, cozy textures, and relaxed spaces, bohemian style may be a perfect fit. We find this eclectic, free-spirited approach rather inspiring, and came prepared with a wealth of boho decorating ideas, tips, and tricks to share. Keep reading to learn how to bring this carefree look to your backyard.

A rug can anchor a space so furniture doesn’t look like it’s floating, so start your boho look from the ground up with an outdoor kilim sporting an eye-catching geometric pattern. Top it with a dining set in complementing colors, and style an eclectic tablescape featuring an antique tea service, hand-woven placemats, and tiered trays filled with French macarons.

Comfort is an important element in bohemian style, so don’t be afraid to combine textiles to enhance relaxation. A deep seating set with spacious frames and thick cushions is an excellent starting point. Add color and texture with striped toss pillows, knitted blankets, and macrame hanging baskets spilling with bright petunias.

Stage a boho patio dining space with a vertical garden that gives both form and function. This lush, living wall maximizes space and acts as a natural privacy fence, creating an intimate alfresco atmosphere. Add to the practicality by filling the garden with basil and thyme for pizza nights, mint for mojitos, and lavender for a lemonade garnish.

Ambient lighting will make your cozy conversations last late into the night. Just be sure to adorn your bohemian space with multiple types of gentle outdoor lighting and avoid bright, overhead floodlights. If you have a trellis or pergola, weave warm-toned light strands through it for a truly atmospheric way to illuminate your space at night. Place floor lanterns at the perimeter of your space, and trim the tables with flameless candles for an extra mood boost.

You’re not looking for a few sleek accents—with boho style, more is more. Just be thoughtful with your decor decisions because you'll want to leave plenty of room for family to walk, sit, and stretch out. To prevent overcrowding, layer in area rugs and runners—these won't reduce your usable floor space—and style in a tall bistro set or a few carefully selected chairs.

Don't forget to use vertical and overhead space. Feel fully immersed in your bohemian aesthetic by installing floating shelves on your walls to hold your knickknacks, hanging outdoor curtains and tapestries, and suspending hanging baskets from ceiling hooks.

Create a bright boho patio with colorful outdoor seating. Choose Adirondack chairs in a vibrant rainbow of shades to add a lively touch to your outdoor area. Mix and match different designs to enhance the eclectic, inviting look.

Turn your small balcony into a cozy bohemian paradise with a pair of chic deep seating chairs and matching accent tables. Choose tall plants in metallic planters to add height and color, and lay down a colorful runner to define the space and invite texture. Add small wall or table decor, such as hanging lanterns or woven baskets, to add charm and personality to your petite space.

Create a captivating bohemian-style dining experience with an unconventionally shaped outdoor rug that anchors the area. Choose chairs with intricate back splats to enhance the vibe and provide a unique, eclectic look, and hang a rattan chandelier above the dining table for a touch of natural elegance. Complete your one-of-a-kind setup with vintage candlesticks and a cloche-covered bouquet—both double as focal points and conversation starters.

Incorporating various materials through boho patio furniture and decor is a great way to enhance your outdoor aesthetic. Start with a deep seating sectional featuring an HDPE lumber frame and pillows in vibrant outdoor fabrics. Add a woven area rug to bring texture and warmth, and top it with aluminum accent tables to provide a sleek, modern touch. Invite more metallic accents, such as a stainless steel fireplace and brushed gold serving trays, for extra visual appeal.

Bohemian design style is a relaxed, eclectic, and carefree decorating approach. It embraces maximalism and blends colors, patterns, and textures from myriad cultures and timelines. The overall aesthetic is colorful, inviting, deeply personal, and artistic.

While the aesthetic does embrace a go-with-the-flow vibe, there are some tenets to follow if you want to bring true bohemian style to your outdoor space.