How to achieve French country style in your home

Bonjour! Are you dreaming of bringing the charm and warmth of the French countryside into your home? Look no further, because in this guide we'll show you how to achieve the beautiful and timeless French country style in your own space.

In this guide, we'll walk you through the key elements of the French country style and provide tips and tricks for incorporating this style into your living room, kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom. Whether you're starting from scratch or looking to refresh your existing décor, we hope this guide will inspire you to create a beautiful and timeless French country home.

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What is French country style?

French country style is a timeless interior design trend that exudes warmth, charm, and elegance. It draws inspiration from the rural homes in the French countryside, incorporating natural materials, muted colour palettes, and rustic furnishings to create a cosy and inviting atmosphere.

French country interiors are all about creating a lived-in feel, with a mix of vintage and new pieces that come together to create a cohesive and charming look. This is similar to the Parisian style but with a more relaxed and rustic touch. If you're looking to embrace the city chic interior design trend, our guide on How to embrace the Parisian interior design trend is a must-read. Whether you're a fan of rustic farmhouse style or prefer a more elegant and refined aesthetic, French country style can be adapted to suit any taste and budget.

French country interiors

One of the hallmarks of French country interiors is the use of natural materials like wood, stone, and brick. Incorporate these materials into your space by exposing any brick walls or stone fireplaces, add wooden ceiling beams or incorporate reclaimed wood furniture pieces, like a coffee table or a bookshelf. You can also use natural materials in your décor, such as a jute rug or linen curtains.

Rustic furnishings are a key element of French country style - look for furniture pieces that have a weathered or distressed appearance, such as a vintage chest of drawers or a wooden rocking chair. Additionally, incorporate wrought iron or metal accents, like a chandelier or a wall sconce, to add a touch of elegance to your space.

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French country flooring

While natural materials are the traditional choice for French country flooring, there are alternative options that can achieve a similar look while being more affordable or practical for your lifestyle. Here are some options to consider:

Laminate flooring: Laminate flooring has come a long way in recent years and can now mimic the look of hardwood, stone, or even tile. Look for laminate flooring in warm, natural colours and distressed finishes for a French country look.
Vinyl flooring: Vinyl flooring is easy to clean and maintain, making it a great choice for high-traffic areas like the kitchen or bathroom. Look for vinyl flooring in wood-look or stone-look patterns that mimic the natural materials found in French country homes.
Engineered wood flooring: Engineered wood flooring is made from layers of real wood that are bonded together to create a stable and durable flooring option. Look for engineered wood flooring in warm, natural tones with a distressed or wire-brushed finish for a French country look. Create your own parquet flooring look with engineered wood for a classic French finish - for those who love the elegance of parquet flooring, we have a guide on How to style parquet flooring that will help you incorporate this classic look into your French country interior design.
Luxury vinyl: Luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) are a high-end vinyl flooring option that offers superior durability and an extremely realistic look. Look for LVT in warm, natural tones with a matte or textured finish for a French country look.

No matter which flooring option you choose, consider adding a patterned area rug to your space to add warmth and texture to your flooring - rugs in warm, natural colours with floral or geometric patterns are perfect for a French country-inspired look. With the right flooring, you can create a warm and inviting space in any room of your home! If you're wondering what type of flooring will suit your French country décor, check out our guide on What type of flooring suits your décor? for some inspiration.

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French Country Interiors

Whether you're looking to add a touch of warmth and charm to your living room, create a cosy and inviting bedroom, or make your kitchen feel more rustic and elegant, there are plenty of French country decorating ideas that can help you achieve the look you desire.

Living Room

The living room is often the heart of a French country home. To create a cosy and inviting atmosphere, start with a comfortable sofa and armchairs. Look for pieces with curved lines and soft upholstery, such as linen or velvet. Add a coffee table made from reclaimed wood or wrought iron. For your décor, add a mix of patterned and textured pillows, a soft throw, and some decorative candles, to transform your lounge into a sociable space.

Kitchen

The kitchen is another important space in a French country home. One of the easiest ways to add French countryside charm to your kitchen is by incorporating open shelving. Display your collection of vintage plates, bowls, and glasses. Additionally, add a large farmhouse-style sink and a vintage-inspired faucet. Incorporate natural elements by adding a wooden cutting board and a bowl of fresh fruit.

Bedroom

The bedroom is the perfect place to create a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere. Start with a wrought iron or wooden bed frame and add soft bedding in muted colours. Look for a that vintage or distressed dresser we mentioned before, to add storage and style. For your décor, add a few floral prints in soft colours, and a cosy throw blanket for those chilly nights. Combine the advice from our guide on How to create your own luxury hotel-inspired bedroom with a French country colour palette to achieve the ultimate European hotel-inspired bedroom.

Bathroom

Finally, don't forget about the bathroom! French country bathrooms are all about vintage charm and natural elements. Look for a vintage clawfoot tub and add some natural materials, such as a wooden bathmat and a woven basket for towels. Add a touch of elegance with a crystal chandelier or a vintage-inspired sconce.

Incorporating French country colour palettes into your home

When it comes to French country colour schemes, there are a few palettes that work particularly well. One popular option is a blue and white colour scheme, which evokes the colours of the French coastline and the Mediterranean Sea. Pair pale blue walls with white furniture and accents, like linen curtains or a white slipcovered sofa. Add pops of colour with blue and white patterned throw pillows or a vase filled with fresh blue hydrangeas.

Another classic French country colour palette is beige and cream, which creates a warm and inviting atmosphere. Use creamy white paint on the walls and incorporate beige and cream furnishings, like a linen sofa or an upholstered armchair. Add texture with natural materials, like a jute rug or a woven basket. To add interest, consider incorporating pops of colour in your décor, like a vintage red jug or a colourful throw blanket.

For a more vibrant French country look, consider a colour palette of yellows and greens. Use pale yellow or creamy white paint on the walls and pair it with green accents, like a botanical print or a vase of fresh flowers. Incorporate natural materials, like a rattan armchair or a woven basket, to add texture and interest. To add depth to the colour scheme, incorporate deeper shades of green in your accents, like a hunter-green throw pillow or a deep green velvet armchair.

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French country decorating ideas on a budget

Creating a French country look is definitely still possible even if you’re on a budget – it’s just a case of getting your DIY hat on and scouring around for great deals! Here are our top tips:

Look for vintage or distressed furniture pieces at charity shops or car boot sales.
Try DIY projects, such as painting a vintage dresser or creating your own floral arrangements.
Look for affordable accessories, like candles or throw pillows, at discount shops or online.
Make your own French country-style pillows by using inexpensive fabric and adding ruffles, tassels, or lace trim.
Repurpose vintage items, such as an old ladder or window frame, as unique and charming wall décor.

Et voila! Now you can achieve French country style in your home, by creating a warm and inviting atmosphere through natural materials, muted colour palettes, and rustic furnishings – and don't forget about French country-inspired flooring and colour schemes! If you’d like to explore the French country style in your home, why not book a home visit from one of our floorologists? They’ll come out to your home with plenty of samples you can see in the natural lighting of your home to help you find your favourite Tapi flooring.

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Published: 04-05-2023