French Decor

10 Tips For French Country Decor

How To Bring This Calming And Simple Decor Style To Your Home

Have you ever looked around your home and thought, "I wish I could travel to France?" Well, we can't help with the travel part, but we can help redecorate your home to look like it. Whether you are planning out changes for next year or looking to do some redecorating before the holidays, join us in taking a look at French country decor. 

 

 

Use Natural Light Wherever You Have It.

A window is open over a kitchen sink, letting sunlight in

Photo courtesy of agata 822

Bringing in natural light is a part of what gives French Country the signature light and airy feeling, which means LOTS of windows and curtains. It’s a great thing if you can open your windows to let in the breeze. If you’re really devoted to the idea of this design, you could go so far as installing new windows that can be cranked open from the inside, giving you safety and a beautiful look. 

 

 

 

Keep Your Brick

A pale brick fireplace with a lamp on it, and a folding screen to the left

Courtesy of Engin Akyurt

If you've got an interior brick wall in your home, keep it. It brings a vintage look to your home that not many modern homes have. This is a part of many French country homes, although it was because it was actually part of necessity at the time.   If you want, you could go so far as whitewashing it to lighten up the space. Whitewashing isn’t a difficult process and only needs to be done once a year. Fortunately, Home Depot has a nifty tutorial

 

 

 

Bring In Wood Countertops Where You Can

Courtesy of American Lumbermill

 Bringing in natural materials is a key concept for a French country home, be it cotton, linen, wicker, or wood. And it doesn't have to be just for the countertops in your kitchen or if you have a bar. These can be table tops this can be mantle pieces, or side tables. You can do it for shelving, there are all sorts of ways to work in that warm natural wood into your home. Even better, there's nothing that says you have to go and use just one type of wood. Pick a couple of tones that you like, and you can work them in around the home and throw in some white-washed wood as well to go and get that extra authentic appeal. 

 

 

 

Use All Of The Copper! 

A bathroom sink with a marble counter and a dark copper sink, faucet and handles

Courtesy of Shon Flaherty

It used to be that copper was one of the cheapest metals you could use in your home. And then industrialization came, and we realized that copper as a whole just makes it look homier. Which is why if you're looking to imitate a French country home, bring in the copper. Door knobs, light fixtures, light plates, and cabinet handles. Don't be afraid to get creative with it, either. If you see somewhere that could use a bright pop of copper, do it! 

 

 

Save Your Cabinet Space, Hang Your Pots

Courtesy of David Marck

Let's talk about the kitchen specifically for a minute. Space is at a premium in the kitchen; why not hang your pots and pans? Hanging them above your kitchen island not only opens up your cabinets and makes it easier to find what you want when you want it, but it also adds to the rustic charm that we're going for throughout the house. (Especially if you don't have an induction stove and can use copper bottom ones.) 

 

 

 

Bring In The Green

A bedroom with the walls painted in a pale green similar to that of culinary sage

Courtesy of Freshouz

Going right along with the wood tones and the creamy whites, and the coppers, bring some green into your home. Since the decor is all about the country, soft sage green or a bright spring green works well to tie you into your surroundings. It's also helpful for those days when it's grey and cloudy to keep your mood bright. 

 

 

Love The Look Of Arch Ceilings

 If you have a room that is high enough where you can embrace it do it. This can be faked in a multitude of different ways, from clever lighting and panels to paint. Or if you know that this is a design you love and you have the space to do it, bring in a professional. Have them actually redo the ceiling and utilize the roof space to give an arched ceiling. 

A living room done in greys and greens has an arched ceiling similar to the inside of a barrel

Courtesy of Archways and Ceilings

 

 

Bring In Your Plants

a small plant is suspended from above in a glass vase

Courtesy of Pexels

We're not talking about a full greenhouse or replicating a jungle. But scattered here and there throughout the home, a few plants in every room. Not only does it literally and figuratively bring life to the room, but it also adds a certain lightness that is sorely needed. Plus, studies show that having more plants in your life helps with depression, and we are all for mood-boosting ‘plant children.’ 

 

 

 

Use Your Alcoves To Full Effect

A recessed alcove is backed with black subway title, with a bar built into it.

Courtesy of real simple

If you have little nooks and crannies and depressions around your home, use them! Make them a focal point instead of something hidden. Use a backsplash, or if you're feeling sneaky, you can use peel-and-stick wallpaper and change it up on a regular basis. Use these nooks to highlight something that's special to you or just to highlight a particular pattern or color that you're enjoying this month or this season. If your home has these spaces, make the best use of them.

 

 

Mix Up Your Seating

As much as we adore huge overstuffed sofas and chairs you can curl up in all day, there are other options. Bringing in rattan and wicker chairs pulls more of the natural vibe throughout the home and offers beautifully unique furniture. Rattan and wicker don't have to be just for outdoor settings, either. You can use furniture with rattan back, or mix in wicker chairs throughout the living room, alongside the others you have. 

A wicker chair is sitting next to a christmas tree in front of windows.

Courtesy of Fietzfotos

 

So? What do you think? Are you going to be doing a French country Christmas? Or is this just not for you? Let us know in the comments below or over on our Facebook page.

 

If you wound up here because you're needing help with your appliances, however, I'm not your decorating, we can still help. Reach out to us via our contact page or by giving us a call at ((214) 599-0055). Appliance rescue service we want to get your home running smoothly again. We will work with you wherever you live in the Dallas metro area.