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French country small kitchen


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.

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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

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

1 of 27

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

2 of 27

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

3 of 27

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

4 of 27

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

5 of 27

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

6 of 27

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

7 of 27

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

8 of 27

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

9 of 27

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

10 of 27

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

11 of 27

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

12 of 27

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

13 of 27

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

14 of 27

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

15 of 27

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

16 of 27

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

17 of 27

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

18 of 27

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

19 of 27

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

20 of 27

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

21 of 27

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

22 of 27

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

23 of 27

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

24 of 27

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

25 of 27

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

26 of 27

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

27 of 27

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.

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Small country-style kitchen: necessary elements and accents

Contents

Furnishing essentials

The very word "country" evokes memories of endless prairies, courageous cattle ranchers, frayed saddles, long lassoes, wide-brimmed hats, colts and a simple house - a ranch without frills.

Such people lived in simple houses built of stone and wood, sat on strong, solid chairs and stools at simple, heavy tables, their furniture was generally devoid of any pretentious decorations. They prepared food and ate it from brass, copper and bronze utensils, rested on roughly knocked-down beds covered with patchwork quilts, and the role of a luxurious carpet in their house was often performed by an ordinary woven carpet or animal skins.

All these details of the interior, furniture, even if somewhat modified in the direction of "smoothness" for the sake of modernity, today constitute the main elements of the country style, strictly observed in the development of design. The same necessary attribute of country music, as severe furniture in the interior and beams on the ceiling, is the hearth - a stove or fireplace with live fire, creating an atmosphere of romanticism in the complete absence of luxury.

Walls

For walls in a country kitchen, you can and should use only wallpapers that stylize their natural accessibility: stone, wood, matting, rattan, rough plaster and multilayer whitewash. Decorative surpluses in the form of stucco, painting and glossy tiles are simply inappropriate. The walls are the backdrop against which the rest of the interior is "superimposed", including furniture and unpretentious country-style decorations, which means that the walls should be neutral.

Of course, their neutrality doesn't mean that wallpaper can't be used! Moreover, just wallpaper that imitates fragments of brick or stonework, wallpaper “like logs”, wallpaper “a la peeling plaster”, wallpaper for shingles or covered with fabric is a very valuable acquisition for further development in the interior of the chosen style! Of the "fabric" patterns, ideally fit wallpaper with a pale floral pattern, a strip or a cage that does not hit the eyes with color saturation. Good colors for the walls - wallpaper with a pattern of "burlap", "straw mats", "small chintz". Fortunately, all these wallpapers are not uncommon in stores.

Accents

One and the walls of the kitchen should preferably be lined with clinker tiles “brick-like” or “stone-like”. In a small kitchen - small accents. The wall does not need to be laid out from ceiling to floor, just above the middle is enough, capturing the dining table area, part of the window and part of the entrance opening where the living room is. If a small kitchen "courtyard" is included in the total area, then the kitchen-living room can combine wood veneer in the table area and tiles in the work area.

Tip! The ideal option for a country backsplash is patchwork tiles, as if tiny pieces of colored glass are “sewn” into a single canvas.

Floors

The ideal floor for a country-style living room and kitchen is wood. But wooden floors are extremely impractical for the kitchen! We are looking for a way out in those materials that will help create the effect of pure or painted wood.

If it is linoleum, then it must be with a pattern of roughly processed boards: spots of darkened wood, knots, wood fibers that clearly show through. The requirements for the laminate are the same, plus - no varnish! Laminate dies should be gloss-free, a "wax" coating is sufficient. Parquet in a kitchen stylized as a ranch, even in a modern country house, is generally nonsense. But patterned tiles or tiles bearing a pattern of stone or rammed clay are a real find for a home designer!

Ceiling

Ceiling – a priori white. Dark wooden beams under the ceiling can be simulated from drywall, deckboard and MDF. In addition to the stylistic load in the interior (emphasizing the “simple” style), they will also play the role of increasing space: elongated along the ceiling, they will make a small kitchen visually longer, laid across, they will expand its area. Considering that all the proposed false beams are hollow from the inside, wires and pipes can be placed there, or spotlights can be built in.

Tip! Do you have natural wood? Do not forget to "age" it with the help of special coatings. In the cowboy's house, it never occurred to anyone to clean the beams from soot!

Combination of country with Provence

Since the country interior is essentially a vintage-rustic style, it is easily compatible with any other rustic styles. This means that the “French Provence” style will easily fit into the country ranch style. Graceful Provence will give a special lavender flavor to the Wild West, ennoble and subtly shade the deliberate rudeness of a cowboy's home. By the way, they have a lot in common: patchwork rugs, tapestries and bedspreads, everything that can be called handmade - everything that is made with one's own hands and serves for the convenience and decoration of kitchens and living rooms in the house.

Provence combined with classic country is extremely flexible and practical. Such a kitchen, completely devoid of the urban gloss and pretentiousness of the French bourgeois, will become not only a place for cooking and eating. It will be a kitchen-living room with the most simplified environment, where furniture is not an end in itself, but only a means of relaxation in this interior.

Interior additions

Provence will quickly turn the brutal atmosphere of a cowboy ranch into a nice, cozy living room, thanks to the abundance of kitchen textiles: tablecloths, towels, lace wraps and a lot of napkins, embroidered pillows and dried sachet bouquets with spicy, light scents of meadow herbs.

All furniture should be made of wood with lots of open shelves. They are spices, plates, jars of cereals. This kitchen is easy to recognize by the hood. It is huge, slightly darkened, but fits perfectly into the overall old image of the room. The Provence-style living room-kitchen is furnished with natural wood furniture of any light shade. They decorate such attributes with carvings, platinum inserts or painting. The living room-kitchen must necessarily include: a rocking chair, a massive sideboard, a round table and a fireplace.

Tip! As for the color design, the Provence-style kitchen-living room should be made in soft pastel colors: beige, white, milky, cream. Furniture upholstery should be the same color.

The changes will affect not only furniture, but also dishes. Heavy ceramics and echoing copper frying pans and cauldrons in the interior will be complemented by the work of porcelain masters in the form of vases, thin plates and touching faience figurines, as in any French living room. Boilers and pots polished to a shine will take their places in perfect order by the hearth, and their place in the old sideboard of the living room will be filled with "grandmother's" cups, saucers and coffee sets with elegant painting on rounded sides.

Curtains

Curtains for the kitchen in a country style are two straight panels, most likely a rough solid color fabric. Provence makes changes in the interior. Now it is dyed linen or a cheerful sitzchek in polka dots, a flower or a tartan check, always tied around the edges and with cute lace inserts, ruffles, tulle and lambrequins.

Tip! Furniture should be closed with the same sun blinds with soft frequent folds.

Chandeliers and Lights

Country ranch living means natural light and only a small chandelier in the form of a lamp hanging low over the dining table. The kitchen-living room in the Provence style provides for a chandelier above the table, a working area and a separate lighting set.

At the same time, do not forget that country is still a vintage style. Therefore, a chandelier “under the candelabra”, a chandelier “antique”, bronze, forged and brass devices will fit perfectly here.

If the chandelier lamp is covered with glass, then let this glass be frosted and opaque. A chandelier, made in the form of a lampshade or a wicker basket, will decorate the kitchen with its appearance not only in the evenings, but also in broad daylight.

A chandelier with many shades in retro style is a real gift for a small kitchen combined with a living room.

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