Casual, natural, laid-back, yet elegant, sophisticated, and refined – French Country design style strives to seamlessly blend old and new while still retaining a note of elegance. It is a style that celebrates natural elements, embraces the items from the past and puts them in harmony with modern pieces, with special emphasis being put on comfort and creating a warm, homely feel. With that being said, it is easy to see why many homeowners are totally smitten with French Country decor – it strikes the right balance between elegance and practicality, urban and rustic, old and new. If you’re one of the homeowners looking for a way to capture the beauty of French countryside houses, here, we are listing a couple of decor tips that you can use as a guide for introducing this popular design style into your interiors. Read on to get inspired!
A soft, muted colour palette for subtle elegance
If you take a look at interiors designed with this particular style in mind, you’ll notice that they all rely on a soft, muted colour palette in order to create the perfect backdrop for their antique furnishings and well-worn fabrics. Pastel colours such as warm cream, rose quartz, and baby blue perfectly captures the love for the countryside, and they all work to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere in the living space. Drawing inspiration from the natural landscape, French Country decor also makes use of earthy hues such as sage green and summer yellow as a way to breathe life into the interiors while keeping them looking elegant and refined.
Detailed patterns for an effortlessly layered look
Since the neutral colour scheme this decorating style often employs needs to be broken up somehow, rich fabrics and textures are incorporated into the home decor as a way of adding visual weight and enhancing the visual interest of the living space. Achieve an effortlessly layered look by adding detailed components and pieces with different textures. French Country decor wouldn’t be the same without its traditional, signature toile, so consider introducing this quintessential print on your headboard, bed linen, or your curtains. Mix it up with printed wallpapers and throw pillows with stripes and a gingham pattern just to add that extra something and achieve the perfect French Country look.
Natural elements for a touch of rustic charm
When it comes to decorating in French Country style, natural elements are something you should definitely implement into your interiors. Polished wood floors and detailed woodwork are essential components of this decorating style as they perfectly capture its essence, and that is – the humble comfort and homely atmosphere. Wooden chairs with a gingham print on them would certainly add a touch of rustic charm in your dining area, while country-style barn doors made from natural timber will add character to your living space and create a warm, welcoming vibe. A natural stone wall can be used to add a countryside feel to your interiors, while a coffee table with patina would certainly add to the rustic look of your living space.
Antique decor elements for a refined rustic style
Designing a space that is influenced by this decorating style means implementing items that have a story to tell. Antique items play a vital role in decorating in French Country style, and blending them with contemporary elements is key to adding the vibe of this design style into your interiors without going over the top. Sometimes, you won’t even have to spend much money on getting antique decor elements from expensive stores. Flea market finds and pieces from thrift shops can be quite helpful in achieving the rustic vibe in your living space, and won’t set you back a lot. Hang antique frames on your walls to enrich your vertical spaces and add gilded candlesticks and bird cages to create the perfect mix of old and new.
Vintage furnishings for bringing in French country flavor
This decorating style heavily relies on the use of vintage furnishings as a way of embracing and celebrating imperfections that come with age. One way of bringing in French country flavor into your interiors through furnishings is to include pieces that add to the rustic grace of the interiors while still retaining their small imperfections. A vintage, distressed armoire will go a long way in transforming your living space while still serving a purpose. Use this vintage furniture piece to store all your clothing in your bedroom, or introduce one into your kitchen as a storage solution for keeping your kitchenware on display. Include a big, vintage dining table in your dining room and add a couple of antique chairs to complement the whole rustic, old-world look.
Now that you’re familiar with the basics of French Country decor and all the different ways you can incorporate it into your interiors, attaining this design style shouldn’t be a difficult thing to do. Use these tips as a guide for making this decorating style a part of your home and you’ll be well on your way of turning your home in to a dwelling that possesses the charm and grace of a French countryside cottage.
