15 Simple Ways to Add French Style to Your Home
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The French are known for a few things: buttery croissants, the Eiffel Tower, and their impeccable taste. In homes, French style embodies a casual elegance that feels at once effortless and carefully curated, reserved yet deeply personal. Often filled with a high-low mix of styles and eras, French-style interiors might seem impossibly chic, but the look isn’t impossible to emulate. You don’t have to live in a historic Parisian apartment or an 18th-century farmhouse in the Provençal countryside to appreciate the simple charms of French interior design. Follow these design rules to master the art of French style in your own home.
Celebrate Architectural Details
Your home might not have the intricate ceiling moldings and herringbone floors of a penthouse off the Seine, but you can still play up a room’s architectural details. Draw attention to an elegant fireplace mantel with decorative vases or art, or forego a rug to highlight the richness of your wood flooring. If your home lacks distinctive architecture, consider small upgrades to boost character, such as adding crown molding in the living room or installing wainscoting in the dining room. For a rustic French look, redo floors in an entryway or kitchen with terra cotta tiles or herringbone brick.
Pay Attention to Detail
Emily Followill
While French interior design is laidback and lived-in, it is also very intentional. Each piece in a French home, whether big or small, has a purpose. When decorating your space, pay attention to the details. Arrange a room to show off ornate detailing on a table that might otherwise go unnoticed, or keep the room’s furnishings simple to let architectural details like molding shine.
Incorporate Wrought Iron
Kindra Clineff
Wrought-iron balconies are a common feature of Parisian homes. While you might not have the option to build a custom balcony at your own home, you can still incorporate the classic French material. Purchase a set of wrought iron patio furniture to mimic the feeling of a French balcony. Dress up the table with a tablecloth and a bouquet of fresh flowers to finish the look.
Add Marble Accents
Jay Wilde
Marble is found in homes around the world, but the stone is a primary design element in French interior design. Ornate fireplaces with marble mantels or surrounds are common in French homes, but if you don’t have a fireplace, there are other ways to incorporate the classic stone. Place a marble tray on your coffee table, or use marble contact paper to cover your countertops or desk.
Decorate with Subdued Colors
Part of the simplicity of French-style interiors comes from the color palette. Crisp white walls and neutral furnishings typically dominate, with small hits of color mixed in for interest. Look to muted colors with gray undertones, such as sage green, steely blue, or dusty rose, to add depth to a neutral palette while maintaining a sophisticated subdued effect. Layer in small doses of black through hardware or light fixtures to ground the look.
Go for Gilded
John Granen
Ornate gilded mirrors are a staple above the fireplaces in French homes. Consider one for your living room, entryway, or bathroom to instantly elevate a room. Look for gold mirrors at thrift stores or antique stores, or use gold leaf to gild a mirror yourself.
Opt for a Bistro Set
Annie Schlechter
Instead of a large dining table that takes up lots of space, mimic the look of a Parisian cafe by incorporating a bistro table and chairs into your dining room or kitchen. These compact dining sets save space for a light and airy look. For classic French style, consider a table with a metal base and marble top.
Incorporate a Herringbone Pattern
John Stoffer
French homes often feature natural hardwood flooring, especially in a herringbone design. If you’re remodeling, consider placing wood floor planks in a diagonal design. Or simply keep wood floors visible for a nod to French-style homes.
Emphasize Molding and Medallions
Hector Sanchez
One of the easiest (and cheapest) ways to channel French interior style is by installing wall moldings and ceiling medallions. A trademark in French spaces, ornate wall and ceiling moldings are a subtle way to elevate your space from average to elegant. Plus, it’s easier than it seems. Purchase peel-and-stick trim panels online, space them out accordingly, and stick them to your walls.
Layer Rugs
Laurey Glenn
Antique rugs add warmth and texture to an otherwise cold space. To nail the French look, layer antique Aubusson rugs throughout your home, not just in living rooms or bedrooms. Place rugs in your kitchen, bathroom, or entryway to add color and a pinch of Parisian style to these hardworking hubs in your home.
Add a Touch of Glamour
Every French-style room needs an element of glamour. You can instantly elevate a space with humble bones by hanging a delicate crystal chandelier. Choose just one or two glitzy accessories to introduce an air of luxury without going all-out glam.
Embrace the Beauty of Aging
In French-style interiors, beautiful doesn’t mean perfect. The French welcome the character of aged wood, chipped paint, and burnished metal. Give your home a sense of history with items that gracefully show their age, such as a mirror that’s scuffed and speckled with age spots or an antique painted table with a peeling finish.
Create a Lived-In Space
One hallmark of French interiors is that they never look too perfect. To imitate this laissez-faire approach, don’t worry too much about decorating around a specific style. Instead, accessorize with items that have special meaning to you, such as books, artwork, or family heirlooms, to organically create a space you love.
Don’t Over-Decorate
As you layer accessories with an eclectic mix of furnishings, remember not to overdo it. French-style interiors reflect a pared-down aesthetic that doesn’t feel cluttered or overcrowded. When styling a space, edit furniture and decor down to only the items that serve a purpose or reflect your personality. Decorating with fewer elements gives your favorite pieces—whether an antique armchair or handcrafted vase—the attention they deserve.
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