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Classic french kitchen design


27 Chic French Country Kitchens

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Get that je ne sais quoi just right.

By Hadley Mendelsohn

Bjorn Wallander

Whether we're talking about fashion, food, or interior design, French style is simply iconic. French country kitchens, in particular, make us feel some kind of way. With colors taken straight out of the Provençal landscape, rustic accents, and that general je ne sais quoi, French country kitchens boast effortless elegance. Plus, if you emulate their style in your own home, every day will feel like a vacation in the South of France. Well, maybe not quite, but it's a close second. So take a mental vacation with these 27 French country–style kitchen tips.

Maura McEvoy

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Plenty of Blooms

Fill the room with flowers and opt for antique, classic vases for a French-country look. This geometric floor design personalizes the long, narrow galley kitchen.

Emily Followill

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Limewashed Cabinets

Custom limewashed poplar cabinetry and paneling, along with an imperial Danby marble backsplash, create an elegant atmosphere in the open kitchen cabinets in this eat-in kitchen designed by Jeffrey Dungan. The dining area brings in just enough contrast and looks contemporary while still channeling the French countryside.

Laura Resen

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Retro-Inspired Appliances

Consider an on-trend yet timeless color combination for a bold kitchen statement. Retro-inspired appliances are great way to balance out the more modern elements and give it a French-countryside feel.

House Beautiful

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Whimsical Embellishments

This barrel-vaulted ceiling provides the perfect softly curved backdrop for the whimsical lavender and pale peach mural by Michael Duté in this French country kitchen designed by Erin Martin. The hood is also spruced up with an original Duté painting. The laidback materials and topiaries keep the sweet, romantic elements of the space grounded and welcoming (and very much channel Provence!).

Savage Gibson

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Dainty Accents

Paint the floors a cheerful color, and then reflect it with accent pieces and linens throughout the space, like a skirted vanityty. We can smell the fresh croissants from here.

Simon Upton

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Island Substitute

Instead of an island, opt for a bonus surface space that can function as both a dining table and a prep counter. Wrought iron window frames (with matching pendants), metal grate cabinets, distressed paint, and wicker chairs all contribute to a French country feel.

Paul Raeside

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Layers of Neutrals

In this kitchen by Michael Maher in a 1950s colonial revival, several neutral colors and materials are layered for subtle dimensions. Benjamin Moore's Jute is used on the walls while Farrow & Ball's Hardwick White is used on the cabinets and trims. The gilt-framed still life painting and chandelier bring a dressier sensibility.

PHOTO: Alexandra Ribar; DESIGN: Leanne Ford Interiors

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Eclectic Seating

Mix and match your seating for an eclectic farmhouse feel, and bring in pops of color with antique cabinetry and tableware. The woven pendant lamp adds a coastal flair, too. When it comes to choosing a backsplash, classic white subway tiles will never let you down.

Julie Soefer

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Rustic Accents

Everything in this gorgeous kitchen designed by Nina Magon revolves around the existing cobblestone accent wall. Magon knew she wanted to give the kitchen a French Chaeteu vibe, which she accomplished with a Calcutta marble island, modern gunmetal Gabriel Scott pendants, and velvet cornflower blue stools. These glamorous pieces juxtapose with the French limestone floor tiles, scraggly stone walls, and exposed wood beams.

FRANCESCO LAGNESE

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Market Bags

The kitchen is also a side entrance to this farmhouse, so designer Tom Scheerer secured hooks to the walls with plenty of reusable bags for fresh farmer's market produce. How French!

Mali Azima

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Dramatic Ceilings

Designer Melanie Turner painted the lower cabinets of the kitchen island Midnight Blue by Benjamin Moore to match the upholstered stools and bring a touch of color. A nailhead trim nods to the rivets on the hood, and pale gray natural stone complements the blue tones, which are warmed up by the gold accents.

FRANCESCO LAGNESE

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Colorful Tiles

Designer duo Thomas Jayne and William Cullem set out to give this kitchen a European country estate aesthetic. Dramatically high ceilings, whitewashed exposed beams, and custom mosaic tiles that gesture to the adjacent mint green room get the job done.

Bjorn Wallander

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Reclaimed and Found Objects

This kitchen is the perfect balance between formal and laidback, thanks to designer Annie Brahler's skillful layering of antiques. The gilt antique mirror, chandelier, and decorative accents on the vintage demilune cabinets add some frill and pomp, while the reclaimed, distressed wood columns ground the room with an air of history and resilience.

Bjorn Wallender

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A Regal Range

French country can be formal, too: It's all in the range. The floating kitchen island is a great place to work and also offers extra storage space.

Catherine Kwong Design

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High Ceilings

This French-country-inspired (hello, wrought-iron pendant) California kitchen feels like the perfect balance between classic, cozy, and refined. A light blue hue brings in color without overwhelming the senses.

Paige Rumore

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Slipcovered Seats

The plaster walled kitchen in Thomas Rhett and Lauren Akinses’ Nashville retreat is what designer April Tomlin calls the "hub of the home." Family members gather around the double islands and get cozy on slipcovered counter stools. Antique light fixtures give it a French country flair. And if you'd rather keep the ceiling space clear but still want in on the hanging cookware trend, take note of this approach and hang them lower in front of the windows instead.

PHOTO: Tessa Neustadt; DESIGN: Leanne Ford Interiors

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Rustic Bones

If you don't want to call the contractor to customize an island in the kitchen, bring in a long wood table that can double as a dining surface. Opt for open shelves for a casual look (and easy access to cookware) that really puts the spotlight on the rustic bones of your kitchen.

Annie Schlechter

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Grand Overtures

A long hanging pendant accentuates the high ceilings and plays on the fancy feel of this kitchen space, yet the farmhouse-style sink keeps it approachable.

William Abranowicz

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Exposed Beams

Just beyond the island is a grand dining area enhanced by exposed beams. The long pendants accentuate the high ceilings, giving it an air that's equal parts formal and approachable.

Douglas Friedman

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Display Cabinets

Designer and architect Garrow Kedigian gave this NYC apartment kitchen a French country spin with display cabinets stacked with classic china, hanging copper cookware galore, and a cobalt La Cornue stove. And, though you can't see them here, he also tucked two matching blue stools from the Paris Flea under the island.

PHOTO: Alexandra Ribar; DESIGN: Leanne Ford Interiors

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Large Pendants

Here's a more modern take on the French-country kitchen look. Though it's contemporary and updated, the accents, like the gilt antique frame and simple greenery, introduce quintessential French-country character.

Paul Raeside

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Antiques

It's all in the details. Crisp white paint pops against the exposed, aged brick wall. Even the cookware in this nook is perfectly French, as is that framed still life.

Jean Liu Design

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Candelabra Lighting

Balance modern living with classic French country style by installing new appliances and settling on an efficient and simple layout, but then add some rustic-meets-dainty details, like an antique candelabra chandelier. This kitchen by Jean Liu is the perfect case study.

Laure Joliet

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Exposed Beams

This kitchen by Reath Design leaves the bare bones (exposed beams, brick walls, and terracotta tiles) as-is but adds brassy accents, regal linens, and a gray marble sink with beautiful veining.

PHOTO: Tessa Neustadt; DESIGN: Leanne Ford Interiors

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Casual Undertones

Keep things casual in your French-country-inspired kitchen. Though there's plenty of order in this space, it looks super low-maintenance and comfortable. The eclectic chairs in this eat-in kitchen introduce a touch of modern style.

PHOTO: Alexandra Ribar; DESIGN: Leanne Ford Interiors

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Copper Pots And Pans

White painted bricks and stone tile floors are a great starting point for a French-country kitchen. Add wrought-iron hardware and hang copper pots and pans from it to finish things off.

Werner Straube

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Labeled Jars and Crates

Labeled jars and an approachable color scheme accented by polished materials give this contemporary kitchen by Corey Damen Jenkins just a touch of French country–style pizzazz. Use vintage containers or label your own found items, like crates, for a similar look and streamlined storage.

15 Outdoor Kitchen Ideas for an Al Fresco Oasis

Hadley Mendelsohn Senior Editor Hadley Mendelsohn is House Beautiful's senior design editor and the co-host and executive producer of the podcast Dark House.

28 Chic and Timeless French Country Style Kitchens

By

Kristin Hohenadel

Kristin Hohenadel

Kristin Hohenadel is an interior design expert who has covered architecture, interiors, and decor trends for publications including the New York Times, Interior Design, Lonny, and the American and international editions of Elle Decor. She resides in Paris, France, and has traveled to over 30 countries, giving her a global perspective on home design.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process

Updated on 08/12/22

Becca Interiors

The decorating aesthetic known in the English-speaking world as French country style is an homage to the charms of the French countryside. While it may be hard to replicate the beauty of the surrounding landscape or the aged patina of a Provençal farmhouse, a rustic thatched cottage in Normandy, or a provincial chateau, architects, interior designers, and home decorators around the world have long sought to transport a bit of the charm and elegance of the French countryside to their own backyards.  

The resulting mashup known as French country decor emphasizes an easy take on rustic but refined aesthetics and natural materials, and an embrace of timeless everyday objects. Much of what we think of as traditional or farmhouse style interiors that are so ubiquitous today have roots in French country aesthetics, which can add character to a modern interior, easily translating to any room in the house from the living room to the bedroom or bathroom.

Adding some French country-inspired decor to your own kitchen can help you to add a sense of history, timelessness, and simple beauty to your home, no matter where you live. Check out these interiors that demonstrate how to borrow a bit of French style to make your own kitchen design into the warm, charming, effortlessly chic gathering space it was meant to be.

15 French Country Living Rooms

characteristic features, how to do it yourself, design ideas, photos.

A wide selection of materials for decoration, furniture, textiles provides an opportunity to implement any ideas in the interiors of residential, non-residential premises: whether it is a small cafe or a bedroom in a private house, apartment.

One of the most important rooms in the house is the kitchen. It performs many functions, is a very visited brand. For this reason, the interior style chosen for the kitchen should be versatile, simple, effective and accessible at the same time.

Sophisticated French style fully meets these high requirements. You can learn about how a French-style kitchen looks like and how to arrange such a design yourself from this publication.

French-style kitchen interior

French-style kitchens have a special charm. They are sophisticated and elegant. They differ in gentle, graceful forms, unobtrusive decor. At the same time, such external fragility is perfectly combined with high functionality - the main requirement for rooms of this purpose.

French style highlights

A French style kitchen will look good in a large house as well as in an apartment with modest dimensions.

There are a few things to keep in mind when designing a Parisian design.

If your kitchen is small, don't despair. You can get out of the situation with the help of a balcony. By combining it with the main room, it will be possible to significantly expand the space in order to bring to life an exquisite French interior.

The main advantages and disadvantages of a French style kitchen

French-style interiors are characterized by elegance, grace of form and lightness of decor.

Benefits:

Drawbacks:

Which rooms are suitable for Parisian style?

A French-style kitchen can be reminiscent of an aristocratic mansion, refined and sophisticated.

Before choosing a French style for decor, you need to check: does the kitchen meet all the requirements of this trend? Parisian style needs free space. For this reason, small, tiny rooms are categorically not suitable. This is not surprising, because earlier this direction was used to decorate huge halls, dining rooms, where guests of honor were received - marquises, dukes, counts.

Another requirement for the space is plenty of natural light. This is possible only in one case - if the kitchen has several large windows, a balcony, a loggia. Natural light makes the room cozy and warm. An important point is the height of the ceiling. Low ceilings can be a significant barrier to incorporating Parisian design into your kitchen.

Characteristic features of the French style in the interior

An abundance of fresh air and sunlight is important for a French-style kitchen.

Each interior style has elements, nuances, and details that are unique to it. French decor is no exception. The Parisian style is characterized by the following features.

  1. Natural finishing and building materials. Preference should be given to tiles, natural stone, wood. Plastic, other artificially created materials will spoil the overall impression.
  2. Gentle, slightly muted colors. Favorites are white, cream, coffee colors.
  3. Uniform design of the ceiling, walls. Surfaces should not differ too clearly from each other in color, texture.

Pastel colors may seem rather boring for many. To liven up the Parisian style a little, you can use light shades of brighter colors. However, it is important to observe the main rule - bright colors can only be present as small spots, accessories, textiles.

What colors can be used?

The kitchen is the place where the whole family gathers at the table.

Functional furniture in the kitchen, a large amount of decor in the French style is nice to compensate for a rather restrained finish. The overall color scheme of the room should be kept in gentle, calm shades. It is permissible to use the following colors: white, milky, ivory, caramel, beige, coffee, pink, ocher. You can also use light shades of yellow, olive, lilac, mint.

Textiles, some design elements may be chosen in colorful shades. However, the shade should be as muted as possible, as light as possible. For example, red pillows on chairs, curtains with gold ties, fringe will be appropriate.

Finishing the kitchen in the French style

Having chosen the basic shades of the colors of the future kitchen, you can start selecting finishing materials. The choice of finish will depend on several important criteria.

All finishing, building materials used in the design of the Parisian kitchen must be safe, natural, environmentally friendly.

Walls

For French-style kitchen walls, it is better to use plaster, matte or pearlescent paint in light shades.

Wall decoration in this stylistic direction should not be too pretentious, complex. Ideal for high-quality plaster, paint. Paint is better to choose matte, pearlescent. The walls near the dining area are best highlighted with another finishing material. For example, with the help of natural wood panels, luxurious wallpaper.

French-style kitchen apron

Apron is an integral part of French-style kitchen design.

The apron has a special function in the kitchen. It is mounted in the area of ​​the working surface, allows you to save the finish in the most easily soiled place. Also, the apron will be a kind of highlight of the design, its decoration. For an apron, you can choose a large ceramic tile of a very light color, an interesting mosaic, glass.

Floor

Kitchen flooring should be made of durable materials.

The floor plays an important decorative role in the Parisian style. It should be decorated with expensive, exquisite material. The ideal choice would be porcelain stoneware, marble. Also a good solution would be to use a parquet board made of natural wood. The color of the parquet should be light.

The dining area can be further enhanced by laying a beautiful carpet on the floor. Wool carpet on the floor will emphasize the charm of French design.

Ceiling

The ceiling of the kitchen in France style is characterized by a combination of colors and textures with the flooring, here you rarely see the usual whitewashed ceiling.

Ceiling decoration in this style should be simple enough to blend well with wall decoration. You can choose from the following options: paint, whitewash, molding, wooden beams.

French-style kitchen lighting

The French style in the interior of the kitchen is emphasized with the right lighting.

Light plays an important role in the design of authentic French kitchens. There should be a lot of it in any manifestation: natural, artificial. If natural lighting can be created using several windows with light, translucent curtains, then artificial lighting will have to include imagination. The main source of light in the kitchen should be a large ceiling chandelier located in the center.

Additionally, wall sconces are installed in the dining area, and spotlights are mounted in the working area.

Household appliances for the kitchen

Household appliances are indispensable in a modern kitchen, but they should not stand out from the general style.

The general atmosphere in the Parisian kitchen is reminiscent of a palace, a solemn hall of the Middle Ages. However, this does not prevent it from being modern, technological, multifunctional. And all this thanks to the right choice of technology. For the kitchen you will need:

Household appliances should have a simple, classic design. It is advisable to purchase it from one manufacturer.

Kitchen furniture

French style furniture made of natural wood.

In a French kitchen, there should not be too much furniture - there must be enough free space. All you need is a spacious kitchen set, a cozy sofa or exquisite wooden chairs for the dining area, a large wooden table.

All items must be made in the same style, in harmony in color and shape. Furniture should have graceful curves, may be decorated with a small amount of gilding. The work surface must be made of stone. It is better to give preference to granite. Chairs for the dining area may have forging elements.

French-style kitchen accessories and decorations

French-style tableware, full of tenderness and sophistication, shows the subtle romantic taste and sophistication of the home.

Beautiful curtains, expensive tableware, unusual figurines, stylish textiles - all this can transform any interior beyond recognition. To decorate French cuisine, you should choose light, airy curtains. They should transmit light well. Gilded potholders can decorate the curtains.

The dining area can be decorated with thematic paintings, photographs in thin, beautiful frames. On the dining table, there must be a vase with fresh flowers or a flowerpot with fruit. The set can be decorated with expensive earthenware and porcelain dishes.

Kitchen Design Ideas

The following interesting ideas will help to make the Parisian kitchen original.

Video: French Provence in a small kitchen

Photo: 50 French-style kitchen photo ideas

French-style kitchen. Ideas for design (70 photos)

A French-style kitchen will look decent in a large house and in an apartment with modest dimensions. It is enough to look at a few photos to fall in love with this amazing lightness, smoothness of lines and an abundance of textiles forever. What do you think of this interior design? Designers of the Decorin project offer you ideas for a cozy kitchen arrangement. Choose!

French-style kitchen: distinctive features

In the article “French-style house”, we have already touched on the topic of kitchen design. Today we will try to dwell on this issue in more detail.

French style in the interior of the kitchen is difficult to confuse with any other. As a rule, these are spacious bright rooms with large windows.

Pastel shades are used for walls, ceilings and floors:

An abundance of appliances in such a kitchen is not welcome. Give preference to built-in varieties of hoods, ovens, dishwashers.

There are several main branches of the French style:

French style in the interior - wall decoration (with examples in the photo)

As mentioned in the article “French-style house”, wall decoration should be done in discreet colors. The main task is to create a calm "background" for furniture and other decor items.

It can be wallpaper in small patterns. Prints are often chosen, the motifs of which are repeated in furniture upholstery, curtains, chair covers, curtains.

Walls can also be leveled with plaster and painted pastel. Choose a slightly pale tone. It should look like the paint has faded a bit over time.

Sometimes textured plaster is used. Here are design examples where one of the walls is not processed. The “live” energy of bare brick brings fresh, dynamic notes to the interior of the kitchen.

A stone wall looks even more spectacular.

Really?

The French style in the interior of the kitchen involves the use of natural materials. What the Parisian spirit does not tolerate is plastic. If you still plan to use artificial materials for decorating walls or ceilings, choose options that mimic natural ones.

Secrets of interior design in French style.

How to decorate the ceiling and floor in the kitchen?

In order to maintain the French style in the design of the kitchen, they try to decorate the floor and ceiling in the same way. Sharp transitions and contrasts are not characteristic of this interior direction. The whole design should be formed into a single ensemble.

Ceilings are rarely made plain and white. The palace style is characterized by stucco molding, wide moldings, a coffered ceiling is allowed. Provence often uses rough wooden beams or their imitation.

In a more modern French style, the use of built-in lamps, various lights, two-tier ceiling structures is allowed. Here is a photo of the interiors. Look how interesting this direction is played.

French style kitchen floor can be made of:

At the same time, the color of the flooring seems to merge with the general interior background.

Furniture - what role does it play in French style kitchen design?

So, the design of the walls and floor is clear. We turn to the choice of furniture. In the French-style kitchen, she plays the main role. Headsets, island tables, open shelves, chairs - sometimes it seems that there is too much of everything. But it is enough to delve a little into the essence of the Parisian style to catch the main point. There is nothing superfluous here. Each element of the decor carries a certain functional and emotional load.

Here are examples of palatial style furniture. There seems to be an aristocratic spirit in the air. Take a look at these noble shades, shapes, exquisite openwork carvings.

Furniture takes up a lot of space and plays a major role. Mirrors are often used. They contribute to filling the space with light (due to reflection). And the mirror inserts are in perfect harmony with the gilding finish.

French country is characterized by tables and cabinets with worn-out (or artificially) paint. In the decoration of facades, you will almost never see flat forms. Only textured surfaces. As a rule, the upper elements of kitchen sets with stained glass. This allows you to flaunt expensive antique dishes.

French country: how to highlight the interior of the kitchen?

What will be the finishing touch in the interior of French cuisine? Sometimes the design is connected, like puzzles, into a single whole completely unexpectedly. It can be:

Here is a tip from the designers of the Decorin project: do not use for design what is alien to you in terms of energy. Focus on decor items that evoke pleasant associations and emotions in you.

What is your vision of a French style kitchen? You went through the basic principles of "building" the design, looked at the photo.

Learn more