French style in the interior: tips, photos

The interior of the apartment in the French style is a real find for romantics and creative people who value convenience and dream of a cozy and stylish apartment. This style of room decoration can be completely different: from delicate and romantic Provence to exquisite classics. However, they are all united by impeccable taste and comfort combined with moderate luxury..

Bright room in French style

Origin of the design direction

The French style has evolved over the centuries. It sounds like echoes of different eras of French history, and it reflects the classics, empire, baroque and modern.

In a surprising way, French apartments are capable of reflecting their character, values and lifestyle. The thriftiness of this people and respect for the traditions of their country is evidenced by the use of antiques in the decor, which laconically fit even into the design of modern interiors..

Antique items, passed down from generation to generation, are skillfully combined by the French with modern furniture and the most advanced technology..

If you don’t have antiques, you don’t have to spend a fortune shopping in antique shops. Flea markets are a great alternative to expensive antiquity shops. If you prefer a creative approach, then there are many artificial aging techniques that can be applied to decorate various decorative elements..

French style design

French style room interior

Peculiarities

The characteristic features of the French-style apartment are elegance and slight negligence. Restrained colors, graceful forms, antiquity combined with novelty and comfort pushed to the first place – this is what distinguishes such an interior..

The walls are usually decorated with light monochromatic wallpaper, sometimes decorated with stucco. The floors in the room are chosen a little darker than the walls. At the same time, the shades should not be too different, because the French style does not accept sharp contrasts..

The most popular are wooden parquet floors. Particular chic – antique parquet.

The textures are dominated by matte. Glossy surfaces are mainly represented by mirrors and lamps, of which there are usually a lot..

French style in the interior of the apartment

Great attention is paid to details. Carved legs, gilded frames and forged elements add aristocratic nobility to the design of the room with a slight touch of subtle luxury..

If you decide to decorate your living room in a French style, the fireplace and a neat tea table will become the iconic elements that will take you to a cozy apartment in the center of Paris..

Living room in French style

Light design of the room in the French style

Instructions for use

This sophisticated style will appeal to creative and romantic natures with a delicate taste, as well as anyone who appreciates aesthetics and convenience..

You can “fit” such an interior into a wide variety of premises:

city apartments with high ceilings;
country houses;
hotel rooms;
small cozy cafes.

The exception will be studio apartments. The French prefer a standard layout with separate rooms and corridors..

French style in the interior of the bedroom

Color palette

Parisian interiors are always an abundance of light and air. White is the basic color for decorating a room. Walls, floors, ceilings and furniture – everything can be snow-white, because the French believe that there is never too much white. It is quite difficult to do with this color alone, so the French use its various shades:

pearl;
lactic;
cream;
pale pink;
light green;
light yellow;
coffee with milk.

The French style in the interior of the apartment does not imply an abundance of bright colors. They are usually used only to create accents..

Dark shades such as brown, gray, and even black are usually represented in the room by accessories, less often by furniture..

Light design in French style

French style kitchen

Layout

The French style in the interior is quite capricious and has a number of requirements for the layout of the apartment.

First of all, it should be standard, with separate rooms and corridors connecting them. A studio apartment is not very suitable for creating such an interior..

The French value space, so the area should be wide enough and the windows large. Floor-to-ceiling windows, which are called “French” windows, will fit perfectly into the living room.

Another requirement is high ceilings. It will be a huge plus if they are also decorated with stucco.

Exquisite French design

Finishing

Wall decoration can be either smooth or textured. It is perfectly acceptable to leave them just white or paint them in other light shades. Such a background psychologically relaxes, expands the space, and also effectively sets off the interior created around..

The French style in the interior allows for various types of wall decoration:

matte paint in pastel shades;
patterns with embossing and unusual texture (for example, vinyl or textile);
the liquid wallpaper;
Venetian plaster;
decorative rock;
wallpaper.

Light parquet flooring is a classic for a living room or bedroom. Moreover, aged parquet looks relevant, which needs to be slightly tidied up: replace damaged boards, polish and varnish. In the kitchen and hallway, it can be replaced with glossy floor tiles or mosaics..

The ceiling can be left both white and absolutely simple, or you can work on its design. There may be stretch ceilings or wooden beams that fit perfectly into the Provence style. To decorate more complex interiors in a city apartment, the living room ceiling can be decorated with polyurethane stucco molding, or a beautiful gilded chandelier can be hung in the center.

White design in French style

French style apartment design

Furniture selection

Modern French style in the interior involves a combination of old and new. That is, it is not at all necessary to buy antique shops and make an apartment with antique furniture. One item will be quite enough, which can be beaten with completely new furniture..

For example, in the bedroom you can put a massive oak bed on curved legs, made in antique style, but combine it with modern wardrobes and armchairs..

The French respect themselves and their living space, so they furnish the apartment with only worthy things. Furniture should be of good quality and elegant design. Curved legs and backs, soft upholstery and sophisticated shapes are what you need to focus on when choosing.

French style in the interior of the bedroom

Textile

This element of French-style interior design needs special attention. The French interior is distinguished by a special skill in combining different materials. The main principle remains the same – the room should look luxurious, but not pretentious, but as if they did not particularly work on its creation..

For the manufacture of curtains, pillows, furniture upholstery, materials from velvet, silk, satin, organza and taffeta are used.

Fabrics choose light shades, monochromatic or patterned. Floral motifs are characteristic of the Provence style..

French style apartment interior

Beautiful living room in French style

Implementation options

This sophisticated style has many interpretations, including:

luxurious palace style, which includes elements of Baroque and Empire style;
excessive baroque style;
majestic Empire style;
rustic provence;
restrained norman style

Often they are intertwined, creating unique interiors in the best traditions of France..

Some of the more popular of these styles are worth talking about in more detail..

French style kitchen

Classic

This option is universal, suitable for both city apartments and country apartments. The classic French style is very restrained and discreet, prefers calm colors, against which the decor looks especially advantageous. Beige, pistachio, coffee, light blue and pale pink shades are widely used..

An important rule is to observe smooth transitions from one color to another. The color palette should be well thought out, and the colors should be combined with each other..

In the classic French style, matte and textured surfaces predominate; stucco decoration is welcome. Antique elements or really antiques give a special charm to the design..

French style in the interior of the apartment

Bright bedroom in French style

The effect of subtle Parisian chic will help to achieve light curtains made of monochrome natural fabrics or tulle.

The following accessories will perfectly “fit” into the overall style:

DIY decorative elements: embroidery; lace napkins; boxes decorated using decoupage technique;
mirrors and paintings in gilded frames;
candlesticks;
small bouquets in porcelain vases;
dishes and souvenirs.

If a classic French interior is planned in the kitchen, then the best choice would be a large dining table with gracefully curved legs and a matching set of chairs, ideally softly upholstered. The design of the kitchen set should be open enough, with shelves on which to display beautiful dishes and figurines. Worktops are usually made of noble materials like marble or granite..

French style bedroom design

Parquet is not the most profitable solution for the kitchen; it is quite acceptable to replace it with smooth ceramic tiles. Creative people can diversify the interior with murals with a characteristic French landscape.

The French style in the interior of the bedroom leaves the owners every right to experiment with the choice of furniture. Antique or modern objects, as well as their combinations, give a lot of room for imagination. A four-poster bed with a high headboard will look especially luxurious in the bedroom..

A living room in a classic French style assumes an abundance of light and space, light colors, elegant upholstered furniture made with elements of carving and forging, high-quality fabrics and materials. The zest of the living room can be a fireplace, which will become its stylish addition, will add coziness and luxury to the environment..

French style in the interior of the bedroom

Provence

Provence style is a French country style, ideal for country houses, imbued with an atmosphere of tranquility and harmony. It will also be appropriate in a city apartment. Such an interior will allow the owners to escape from the bustle of the metropolis and mentally transfer them to the French province to the Mediterranean coast..

This style is simple and naive: laconic wooden furniture, floral patterns, natural fabrics and materials. However, it is difficult to call it moderate, because this kind of country style is distinguished by an abundance of decorative elements, upholstered furniture and textiles..

Beautiful bedroom in French style

Its main features are:

large windows and moldings;
pastel colors;
plain plastered walls or wallpaper in a small flower;
wooden floor;
natural wicker furniture or solid wood furniture;
antiquity effect;
decor using flowers, dishes, textiles, paintings and souvenirs.

This French style in the interior of the kitchen involves a large dining table, a few small cabinets and open shelves lined with porcelain dishes and cute knick-knacks..

The bedroom should be airy and comfortable, with a light finish, a large soft bed, voluminous curtains and bedside tables, filled with flowers, boxes and books.

It is worth noting that French country music is very gentle and romantic, therefore it is more suitable for women’s bedrooms..

Light design of the room in the French style

Living room in French style

Modern French style

Interior design in the French style is constantly transforming, absorbing new trends and harmonizing them with the already established traditions. Therefore, the French interior should not be associated with the fashion of the bygone times. Its modern interpretation is still very relevant today..

The modern French style is even simpler and more concise than its predecessors. Demonstration of luxury and expensive things is considered bad form. The well-being of the owners is reflected only in art and antiques.

In no case should the space be cluttered. The furnishings are done with lightness and ease, and the furniture is arranged in an emphasized carelessness. A distinctive feature is the variety of chandeliers and lamps that are placed in different parts of the living room or bedroom.

French style room interior

Living room design in French style

Natural materials prevail here, both in decoration and furniture, and in decorative elements..

The French are masters of eclecticism, therefore, in a modern French style, it combines elements of classics, country and palace luxury.

The variety of variations of the French style allows you to fit it into a wide variety of premises. The luxurious palace style is suitable for decorating a hall, Provence for a dining room or bedroom, and its modern version will decorate any living room or hallway..