How to Create a French Style Home
Home decor doesn’t have to be boring or plain to be functional. If you’re looking to spice up your interior design style, consider creating a French-inspired home that’s both stunning and tranquil at the same time. A French-style home will be warm and welcoming with a sophisticated charm that will instantly improve your mood and make you feel comfortable and confident in your space. By incorporating elements of the French style into your home, you can add a sense of sophistication while also making it more relaxing and enjoyable to spend time in.
Choosing colors
French
interiors (as with most other things in France) are simple, elegant and
classic. Walls are white or off-white, with darker wood furniture and darker
color wood floors. Any accent colors used in artwork or decor are bold, making
these spaces both impressive and comfortable at once. Choose colors that you
like because it’s your home—but if you want a nod to French style homes when
decorating your space, use colors like dark blues, greens and burgundy for
accents instead of opting for traditional home interior design colors like reds
or yellows. Think about what represents France best: jagged coastline dotted
with pastel villas? Lavender fields blanketing rolling hills? Think of all
those images when choosing what goes on your walls.
Choosing furniture
If
you’re looking for furniture to create your French-style home, choose pieces
that are elegant and sophisticated. However, instead of opting for heavy dark
wood, consider lighter woods such as oak or ash. These lighter colors match
well with traditional wallpaper and an interior color palette of creams and
taupes. Accent tables can be decorated with either feminine lace doilies or an
ornate clock flanked by candles. In terms of kitchen design, modernity is often
achieved through crisp white cabinets paired with granite countertops,
stainless steel appliances and sleek chrome faucets.
French Style Furniture Brands
A
quality home is often associated with a certain sense of class. And for many
homeowners, that quality comes from a French style decor. However, achieving
such an aesthetic doesn’t have to be as expensive as you might think! In fact,
there are plenty of affordable furniture brands that will help you make your
home look like it came straight out of France—without having to leave town.
Browse below for some of our favorite options
Introducing Artwork and Accessories
One
of my favorite ways to create a warm and inviting feel in any room is with
simple artwork and accessories. When designing your home, begin by making sure
you add in ample natural light through windows or skylights for that sunny
glow. Next, consider wallpaper colors that are in line with what's trending
(chocolate brown will be big next year). And lastly, work on getting pieces
that feel French— think fresh linen white furnishings or grey-hued rugs.
The Importance of Textiles
As
it turns out, textiles are very important in creating an overall look and feel
of any room. They can also help make rooms warmer or cooler by affecting
temperature and blocking sunlight through window coverings. While all of these
elements are important, when it comes to styling your home with an overall
French appeal, textiles should be your first stop. Think about how you want
visitors and guests to view your home—chic and sleek? Or warm and comfortable?
Your choice of fabrics is crucial in determining what kind of vibe you’re going
for. Whether it’s woven prints or woven-stripe accents on pillows, rugs or
curtains—textiles will help bring even more character into your décor style.
Pieces for the kitchen and dining room
The
kitchen and dining room are your home’s two most important rooms. It’s here
that you entertain friends and family and make meals with loved ones. To create
a French-style kitchen or dining room, look for pieces of furniture with warm,
rich colors. Rustic yet glamorous elements can also add charm to these areas.
For example, hanging silver pendants over your cabinets will give an industrial
feel without being too out there or trendy. A deep red tile backsplash is
inviting but gives off just enough attitude that it doesn’t seem bland or
boring. Wall paper is another great way to add texture; just make sure it isn't
too busy if you want to stay true to French style design ideas!
Lighting Tips
When
it comes to styling your room, there’s one tool that can do all of it for you:
lighting. Lamps and overhead lighting are an easy way to bring a room together
and create an atmosphere that is pleasing to everyone who walks in. Don’t
forget about accent tables and floor lamps either. Those are great ways to
highlight one spot or specific piece of art. In general, our advice would be:
use as much light as possible, but never on top of something that is meant to
be decorative (or another source of light). A lamp or chandelier should always
have privacy — place things like mirrors, figurines, etc., where they will
reflect any light away from what you want highlighted.
Living Room Decor
An
easy and affordable way to create an authentic french style is with your
furniture. Select pieces that incorporate traditionally french design elements,
such as crisp lines and sturdy wood construction. You could also go for classic
pieces in neutral colors like white or ivory. If you're decorating on a budget,
consider mixing antique or vintage furniture with new pieces for a look that
has authenticity without breaking your bank account. Although interior
designers frequently suggest splurging on items that can't be replaced easily —
like couches and tables — when decorating in french style, it's more important
to make sure each piece fits within your overall budget than it is to have
individual items crafted of specific materials.
Bedroom Decor
The
bedroom is where we spend one-third of our lives, so it should be an inviting
and relaxing place. To create that feeling in your bedroom, try choosing blue
hues for bedding and wall paint; blue has been proven to promote relaxation.
Keep furniture styles traditional with light wood or pastel fabrics. Blue,
white and yellow are all popular colors for accessories like throw pillows,
curtains and lampshades. Use these colors as inspiration for your overall
design theme! While many French style home decor pieces incorporate beige or
off-white tones in their patterns, you can make bright splashes of color with
unique accents around your house—like framed art pieces or seasonal decor like
wreaths.
Bathroom Decor
The bathroom is an area where you can incorporate lots of beautiful, inexpensive details that bring together a French style. Consider using antique bathtubs and clawfoot tubs for their character, but be sure they’re in good shape before purchasing—they can be expensive. The tiles in your bathroom should also reflect France; look for vintage mosaic or marble tiles. Also consider installing exposed brick walls, as many older buildings have them throughout. Add beautiful wall sconces with soft lighting and lush curtains draped above your tub—and don’t forget about towels!
Read more:
6 Ways to Use Travel-Inspired Decor to Bring the Outside In
7 Tips for an Eco-Friendly Garden Design
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