I recently spent two weeks in the desert and I’m OBSESSED. Besides the fact that I spent days trying to avoid cacti, coming to terms with dust, and hiding from the sun, desert chic also totally happens to be on-brand with our style. The mix of this boho-organic look, swirled with southwestern charm is slowly starting to get recognition across the US, and we’re here to tell you all about it. Keep reading to see five ways you can embrace desert chic like we have!

Create a Color Palette

Before building out your room, consider creating a color palette that can be constantly referenced when selecting your pieces. For example, The Joshua Tree House curates each rental to a color palette that can be recognized room-to-room. The left has darker hues and subtle pops of color, like the purple and pink on the rug. Whereas the right has a more neutral scheme, dressed with whites and linens. Regardless, we love both!

Opt for Vegan Leather

As explained on their website, Desserto’s roots started with “the purpose of creating an alternative to animal leather, Adrián López Velarde and Marte Cázarez, both hailing from Mexico, developed a vegan alternative to leather made with nopal (a cactus).” Desserto’s alternative leather offers a “safe alternative to other synthetic PU leather options because our material is free of toxic chemicals, phthalates, formaldehyde, and PVC… the patented cactus formula makes our material strong, durable, and fresh, with incredible softness and a natural aroma.”

Did we mention it’s low-maintenance and easy to clean? Read more about their leather interiors here.

Prints & Patterns

We spot these types of geometrical prints all the time. It’s common for these patterns to be seen in rugs, throws, and bedding… but where did they really originate from? Gabrielle Savoie explains in her article, 14 Modern Desert Décor Ideas That Bring the Vacay Vibes Home that although these textures and patterns have “Native American and Mexican influences—with Navajo patterns, aged leather, and cowhides—the style is also influenced by many other desert communities around the world: Morocco, Chile, Turkey, Colombia.” We love the progression to uphold the heritage of these countries in something so simple as a blanket design. Bringing in these colorful patterns and prints into your decor style can tie any room together.

Earthy Materials

You will often see natural elements infused in the Desert Chic style. Most boho decor elements are synonymous with the Desert Chic look. Here are some ways we suggest pairing earthy feels into your space:

Use ceramics for vases on their own or with a dried plant in empty areas for a little life or a hint of color.
Kitchens and bathrooms are our go-to when using tile. Opt for neutral colors to keep the space airy and open.
Graze your walls with cement or plaster to give it more texture.

Dressy Decor

The best way to wrap everything up is through special art pieces. Sticking to the theme, we’ve selected a few fun ways to bring some personality into your home.

This Geometric Wood Wall Art is a great standalone display or can be styled like the photo with smaller objects to fill up space on a console or credenza. The Cactus Macrame Wall Hanging is an adorable addition to any kid's room to be reminiscent of desert life and hanging with cacti. Lastly, we couldn’t leave out some wallpaper. The Abstract Boho Circles Wallpaper and the Muse Print Wallpaper are filled with fun patterns that can handle a big wall to a tiny corner.

Need help embracing desert chic in your home?

At Studio Shaolin we work with clients in Hawaii and across the United States to create timeless spaces that reflect the individual needs of each project. Learn more about how we can help with your design and home renovation project by booking a discovery call.

Five Ways to Embrace Desert Chic