These Color Combos Make a Room Instantly More Comfortable, Say Color Experts

Isis Briones
·5 min read
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If you’re on the hunt for an aesthetic that’ll let your imagination run wild, I’ve got the design approach just for you. “Boho, short for bohemian style, is rooted in capturing an artist’s way of life,” Mackenzie Collier, founder and owner of Mackenzie Collier Interiors, told Apartment Therapy. Before picking out furniture and decor, though, you should start with a proper boho color palette to anchor your vision.

Figuring out your design home base with a selection of boho colors can help you better play with the loose nature of this style. “It’s free-spirited and eclectic and should look like it’s been gathered over time,” Collier said. While there’s certainly flexibility in the design, I consulted several color experts to help you narrow down exactly what kind of boho vibe you’re hoping to achieve.

Large purple fan above neatly made bed in art filled yellow painted bedroom.
Credit: Hayley Ellen Day/DD Reps Credit: Hayley Ellen Day/DD Reps

What Are Boho Colors?

First, a definition. “A boho color is all about warm, earthy tones mixed with vibrant accents,” says Erika Woelfel, Behr’s vice president of color and creative services. A boho color palette isn’t meant to stifle you — there is actually a good range of nature-inspired shades to choose from. Some examples of boho colors include:

  • Earthy Pink (Backdrop’s 36 Hours in Marrakesh)

  • Terracotta (Backdrop’s Ghost Ranch)

  • Olive Green (Farrow & Ball’s Bancha)

  • Crisp White (Benjamin Moore’s White Heron)

  • Sage (Benjamin Moor’s October Mist)

  • Light Pink (Benjamin Moore’s Marry Me)

  • Rust Orange (Behr’s Colorful Leaves)

  • Soft Yellow (Behr’s Jackfruit)

  • Light Tan (Behr’s Nutmeg Frost)

  • Warm White (Behr’s Blank Canvas)

infographic showing 9 different color tones that work well in a boho color palette
Credit: Apartment Therapy Credit: Apartment Therapy

What’s Considered a Boho Color Palette?

Sunkissed hues resembling nature define a boho color palette. Picture pinks, yellows, and oranges mingling with grounding neutrals including whites, browns, and greens. “To put together a boho color palette, I recommend mixing neutrals with vibrant pops of color,” Woelfel confirms. The key is layering hues to create an inviting sense of warmth.

<span> Credit: Year Round Co.</span> <span class="copyright">Credit: Year Round Co.</span>
Credit: Year Round Co. Credit: Year Round Co.

How to Style a Boho Color Palette

These colors can work almost anywhere in your home. From cozy bedrooms to eclectic boho living rooms, there are no shortage of boho-themed spaces and color combos that’ll inspire you to put together a palette of your own. Here are a few of our favorite color combos, inspired by the boho color palette:

<span> Credit: Sandra Regalado</span> <span class="copyright">Credit: Sandra Regalado</span>
Credit: Sandra Regalado Credit: Sandra Regalado

Terracotta, Olive Green & Crisp White

If your space has a lot of windows, you can also literally bring the outside in when the sun is out. This Barcelona home brimming with natural greens from plants and earth tones illustrates how a boho design is the perfect complement to natural light. To bring a similar look into your space, start with a base color. “I suggest our Ghost Ranch paint,” Backdrop co-founder and creative director Natalie Ebel notes. “It adds depth and warmth to any space, making it an ideal relaxed atmosphere,” she says.

Ebel adds that you can also stick to nature when bringing in furniture and decor that work with your boho color palette. “[Terracotta] also pairs easily with natural materials like wood, rattan, and woven textiles, and it works well as a feature wall or throughout an entire room,” she notes.

You can even take your boho look outside. “I love the feel of old, terracotta pinks on exterior walls, they brighten things up especially if you live in a place with gloomier skies,” says Patrick O’Donnell, Farrow & Ball global ambassador.

Vintage dresser in pink painted bedroom.

Light Pink, Soft Yellow & Warm White

Going all in on pink is a good start to a boho look — as long as you bring in complementary hues like this boho bedroom. “Marry Me with its subtle warmth instantly makes a room feel comfortable,” says Hannah Yeo, senior manager, color marketing at Benjamin Moore. “It pairs well with light browns, bamboo, and rattan resulting in a soft, airy vibe reflecting the free-spirited essence of boho design,” she says.

In addition to natural tones, you can also add more boho color. “For a bolder, more expressive space, introduce unexpected pops of color such as ochre, deep citrus greens, and charcoal grays.”

Green sectional in apartment living room

Rust Orange, Olive Green & Light Tan

Speaking of bold, go all out with a contrasting rust-hued tone and dark green, like in this Brooklyn loft’s living room. “Boho style reminds me of rich, natural shades like terracotta and rust,” Woelfel emphasizes. “Colorful Leaves, from Behr’s 2025 Trends Palette, is a rich, rust orange infusing energy with elegance. It can provide an energetic pop of color in a home,” she says.

Terra Cotta/ Peach color drenched bedroom with painted and linen paneling on armoire. Small light colored writing desk sits beside armoire with upholstered arm chair pulled out from under desk.

Earthy Pink & Warm White

Pink is an underrated neutral. “36 Hours in Marrakesh is a warm, earthy pink that perfectly captures the boho spirit,” Ebel shares. “It’s grounded and transportive with a richness that feels both inviting and versatile,” she explains. “Boho colors should evoke emotion and a sense of place, and this earthy pink does just that — it’s a color that sets the tone from the moment you step into the room,” Ebel notes.

And don’t hesitate to color-drench a room with it, like in this monochromatic makeover. “In spite of its earthy pink tone, it can also act as a warm neutral, making it an ideal backdrop for layering textures, patterns, and personal touches,” she says.

Head on view of a light green swivel chair with a white throw blanket and a white spherical pillow. The wall behind it has a sage and light pink floral wallpaper.
Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Prop Stylist: Sophie Strangio Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Prop Stylist: Sophie Strangio

Light Pink, Sage & Light Tan

Pink and sage is a foolproof boho color combination as seen in this cheery space. Additionally, greenery has a way of tying everything together. “Like the stem of the flower, a silvery sage seamlessly connects a wide range of colors,” Yeo says. “Green effortlessly brings diverse elements together in a boho-inspired space, offering a versatile backdrop for layering mixed patterns, textures, and materials through carefully curated, storytelling objects.” 

Lastly, feel free to incorporate shades from the same color family. “Colors work especially well when you play with tonality or weight,” O’Donnell explains. “For example, if you choose pink for one room, then create a gentle continuity in the hallway or other areas like the trim or cabinetry,” he says.

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