His work often focused on the daily habits and social interactions of city dwellers. In pieces like "The Five Senses" or "Games of New Year's Day", he recorded the clothing and gestures of his contemporaries with precision. Boilly avoided the heavy allegories favoured by Neoclassical peers like Jacques-Louis David. Instead, he preferred domestic scenes and street life. His technique involved smooth surfaces and a clear light that defined the material reality of objects and fabrics.

Modern collectors value Boilly for his observational humour and his role as a visual chronicler of French history. His prints provide a direct window into the domestic interiors and social hierarchies of the early nineteenth century. Works such as "Family Portrait with Six Busts" demonstrate his skill in arranging multiple figures within a tight composition. These images offer a sense of historical realism that suits contemporary interiors. They provide a balance of technical skill and social commentary.