15+ Ideas For A French Country-Inspired Living Room
Are you a fan of the French Country style? Are you looking to redecorate your living room? If you answered yes to both of these questions, you have to check out these ideas for a French Country-inspired living room.
French Country style is a mix of elegance and rustic nature.
This style can be easily identified by its soft color palette, natural materials, and beautiful textiles.
If you love the idea of bringing the elegance of the French countryside into your home, you are going to love these ideas.
1. Perfect the colors
If you’re not a fan of bold colors, you may want to look away, but we can’t talk about French country design without mentioning the color.
French country design is all about embracing color, and it often includes a lot of red, blue, and yellow.
However, you can tone down the color a bit and still have a French country-inspired space.
This living room by designer Emily Henderson feels like a modern take on French country design, and the color palette is still the star of the show.
2. Mix old and new
The French country look is all about mixing old and new pieces. This is where your flea market finds and family heirlooms come in.
You can mix and match different styles of furniture, as long as you stick to a consistent color palette.
Pro tip: If you’re not sure what colors to use, start by choosing a patterned fabric you love and pull the colors from that.
3. Choose a perfect coffee table
The coffee table is a centerpiece in the living room, and the French love to decorate their tables with beautiful vignettes.
You can do the same by placing a tray in the center of your table and adding a vase of flowers, a stack of books, a candle, and a decorative object.
If you want to add a little more elegance to your living room, consider using an ottoman or a tufted table as your coffee table.
4. Add a pop of color
A French country living room is the perfect space to experiment with color.
French country color palettes often include soft, muted hues, but you can also add in some brighter or bolder colors to create a more dynamic look.
In this living room, the bright blue curtains add a pop of color to the space.
The blue is picked up in the throw pillows, creating a cohesive look.
The bright blue contrasts beautifully with the soft, neutral colors in the rest of the room.
5. Don’t forget the floor
You may want to keep your floors simple if you are going for a more modern French Country look.
But if you want to add more character to the space, consider adding a patterned rug.
“Rugs are a great way to introduce color and pattern to the room,” says Niki.
“I also think a rug can help to ground the seating area and make it feel more cozy.”
You can also add a layered rug look to add even more texture and color to the space.
6. Incorporate architectural details
A French country-inspired living room doesn’t have to be old to have architectural details.
In fact, you can incorporate a variety of architectural elements in a living room of any age to give it that charming, collected look that’s so popular in French country homes.
Here, a pair of wall sconces is flanked by a pair of antique corbels, creating a sense of symmetry and adding interest to the fireplace wall.
The corbels also help to draw the eye up, highlighting the room’s high ceiling, and add a sense of history to this new construction home.
7. Add a chandelier
A chandelier is a must in a French country-inspired living room.
It’s a great way to add a touch of elegance to the space, and there will be a chandelier style that suits your design.
If you’re going for a more rustic look, consider a wrought iron chandelier. For a more elegant, traditional look, look for a crystal chandelier.
8. Add a mantel
If you’re lucky enough to have a fireplace in your living room, consider adding a mantel to the design.
Not only does a mantel add a charming focal point to the room, but it also gives you a place to decorate.
You can create a beautiful mantel display with a mix of vintage and new decor.
For a French country look, include a few classic elements like a gilded mirror, a couple of candlesticks, and a vase of fresh flowers.
9. Accessorize
The last step is to accessorize your room.
French country decor is known for its use of antiques, so be sure to incorporate a few vintage pieces into your design.
You can also add in some French country-inspired decor, such as toile patterns, rooster motifs, and fleur-de-lis symbols.
10. Add some greenery
No French country-inspired room would be complete without some greenery.
Whether you prefer real or faux, bringing some plants into your space will add a fresh, natural touch.
I love the look of faux topiaries or olive trees in a French country space.
If you don’t have a green thumb, this is a great way to add some green without having to worry about keeping plants alive.
11. Mix and match
There’s a casual elegance that comes with the French country style, and that’s especially true with the furniture.
Don’t worry about everything matching perfectly. In fact, it’s better if it doesn’t.
Mixing and matching furniture styles and finishes is a great way to give your space a collected-over-time look that’s so characteristic of this style.
12. Perfect the textiles
The French are known for their love of textiles, and you can really play that up in a French country living room.
Think: slipcovers, throw blankets, pillows, and drapes.
You can go for a more casual look by mixing and matching different types of textiles, or you can choose one type of fabric and use it throughout the room for a more cohesive look.
13. Add some stripes
If you’re looking for a way to add a little bit of French country style to your living room, consider adding some stripes.
Whether it’s a throw pillow, an area rug, or a wall hanging, stripes are a classic French pattern that can add a touch of sophistication to any space.
In this living room, the stripes on the area rug help to anchor the seating area, while the stripes on the throw pillows add a pop of color.
14. Add some toile
If you’re not familiar with the term, toile is a classic pattern that usually tells a story.
This one, for example, is a pastoral scene with people, animals, and lush greenery.
Toile can be used in a variety of ways, such as a sofa or chair upholstery, drapery, or even wallpaper.
It’s a great way to add a little bit of personality and whimsy to a French country-inspired living room.
15. Make it personal
Incorporating personal touches is a great way to add character to your living room.
When it comes to French country style, that might look like adding a few vintage pieces or antiques to your decor.
Mixing old and new pieces will make your living room feel like it has been collected over time, and it will also help you avoid a space that feels too stuffy or formal.
Conclusion
What do you think of these French country living room ideas? Do you have any of these elements in your home? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
