Imagine sipping espresso in a sunlit kitchen, surrounded by distressed wood beams, floral linens and that perfect blend of rustic elegance and lived-in luxury. Sounds pretty stunning, doesn’t it? While this might seem like something you could only enjoy during a sun-soaked vacation, you can also achieve it with the right interior design touches – although you’ll have to make the espresso yourself.
This blog will show you the ins and outs of French country design, including what it is, why it’s still très chic and how to bring the look home. Grab your striped shirt and beret — cliche, I know — and get ready to be schooled in all things French countryside.
What Is French Country Design, Anyway?
Before we can emulate the aesthetic, we need to know what exactly the look is. French country style is a mix of old-world elegance, rustic charm and comfortable yet chic design. It’s inspired by the Provence countryside — both the landscapes themselves and the lifestyle of the people who live in this area. Think weathered finishes, antique finds and style that’s not trying too hard.
If this style reminds you of a similar look, you’re not crazy. Let’s discuss how French country and farmhouse interiors compare.
French Country vs Farmhouse
While French country and farmhouse design both use neutral colors, vintage decor and natural materials, some key differences set them apart as unique, gorgeous looks in their own right.
Farmhouse style can be characterized as functional, minimalist and rustic, focusing on the comfort and usefulness of the space over everything else. It leans more on the shabby chic side of design, taking the “countryside” of the French countryside vibe but alluding more to gravel roads, corn fields and utilitarianism than the winding paths, orchards and elegance of the French aesthetic.
On the other hand, the flagship elements of French countryside design include:
- Equal parts rustic and grace.
- Warm tones, including warm pinks, baby blues, creams and soft yellows.
- Painted furniture, with a dark base coat and white top coat to give it a weathered look.
- Simple lines and strong wooden furniture.
- Traditional patterns like toile, stripes, plaids, ginghams, checks, flowers and borders.
- Louis and bergère chairs.
- French armoires.
- French bistro decor.
- Cane beds.
9 French Country Interior Design Ideas You’ll Fall in Love With
Whether you’re decorating a château or a cozy suburban home, here are some irresistible French country interior design ideas to try:
1. Embrace Soft, Sun-Washed Colors
The idea of the French countryside look is to look lived in and super welcoming. That means using a color palette that feels like grabbing a hot cup of coffee with your best friends — or getting a hug from your sweet grandmother. Stick with colors that are on the warmer side, like muted yellows, tan, creamy whites, maroon, taupe and sage green. Most of these colors can be used together, giving rooms a rich, cozy feeling.
2. Say Oui to Natural Materials
Since the name of the design is French country, it’s safe to say that natural inspiration is a big part of the look. Taking the beauty of the great outdoors and infusing it into your home is one way to capture the essence of the aesthetic. This includes weathered wood, natural stone and wrought iron details, whether that’s a sturdy time-worn dining room table or a stone fireplace in your family room. Mix and match various textures and materials to create a visually interesting space.
3. Mix Vintage With Modern Confidently
French country decor is equal parts historic and modern, using vintage pieces without feeling old-fashioned or outdated. In your kitchen, you could play around with displays of copper pots and thick cutting boards next to an updated stove and hood set, bringing together old and new-world charm. It’s all about tastefully blending whimsical furniture, antique pieces and modern touches in a way that looks both settled and sentimental without being cluttered.
4. Go Big on Antique Furniture
New furniture is beautiful, but antique pieces have a certain air of distinction that feels special and unique. Design a kitchen with a stainless steel farmhouse sink, gold hardware, historic chandeliers and vintage wooden chairs. Or, fill your living room with French armoires and bergère chairs in warm patterns that stun even the harshest of critics. Just don’t be afraid to go all out on traditional furniture that feels like it was made for a château.
5. Layer in Toile and Floral Patterns
Along with your antique furniture, pair gorgeous patterns like toile and florals that Marie Antoinette would be proud of. Select a sofa with light blue motifs for your living room and find a jaw-dropping botanical bedspread for your French country bedroom. Other places to include patterns are:
- Bathroom wallpaper.
- Kitchen drapery.
- Entryway carpet.
- Family room throw pillows.
6. Add a Dash of Gilded Glamour
While the rustic charm of this look isn’t full-on formal, you can still get away with a bit of flair — especially when it comes to gilded elements. Hang a gold mirror in your master bedroom or place gilded picture frames on your mantel, showcasing your favorite family pictures.
7. Create a Welcoming Kitchen With Open Shelving
Do you have vintage China, colorful mixing bowls or exceptional table placements that you can’t bear to keep covered? Open shelving is one way to introduce more color into your French country kitchen. Not only that, but it makes the space feel bigger and can enhance the room’s overall appeal. Just be sure to keep the shelves tidy for the right finish.
8. Keep It Cozy With Slipcovered Seating
Rather than go for a modern, leather setup, opt for soft, shapely furniture pieces covered in patterned textiles. Try out striped dining chairs, linen chaise lounges and floral sofas in colors that emulate a warm spring day. This is also helpful if you have kids, as many slipcovers can be removed and washed if sticky fingers find their way onto the material.
Botanical patterns can make the space feel bright and airy.9. Accessorize With Intention
If you love to accessorize, you’re in luck; this design style is one that includes lots of ornamentation. However, it’s a slippery slope between chic and cluttered — so you have to decorate intentionally. Layer wall art, fringe awnings and patterned tablecloths in your dining room to channel the Rococo era. And put several slim, detailed furniture pieces together in your living room. But, to keep from tipping the scale on the side of messy, ensure you stick with a core group of colors, patterns and shapes so each room feels cohesive and on theme.
Ready To Bring French Country Home?
This look doesn’t have to be reserved for royalty or the actual French countryside. A Decorating Den Interiors personal decorator can help you achieve this aesthetic to perfection, right where you’re currently at.
What does this look like? Here’s what you can expect:
- Initial consultation: After you reach out to one of our personal decorators, they’ll come for a free initial consultation. During this meeting, they’ll get a feel for your personal style, budget, design wishes and current setup.
- Mood board and planning: Your personal decorator will then take all of this information and come up with a game plan for your home, creating a mood board and blueprint for the project. These details will be presented to you.
- Hit the ground running: With your stamp of approval, your personal decorator will take care of all the work, organizing the project, contacting the right people and putting together everything like they said they would.
- The big reveal: After the work is done, it’s time for you to see it! You can ooo and ahh at each room, seeing your dreams become a reality.
Sound like a process you’d like to participate in? Find a personal decorator near you to get started.
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