Bonjour my chic friends! Just imagine: you’re in the French countryside, the smell of freshly baked croissants is wafting through the air and you’re lounging in the perfect French country living room.
But wait, you’re not actually in Provence, you’re in your own home! You may ask ”How is this possible?” but that’s just the magic of French country design!
French country living rooms are all about mixing elegance with a dash of rustic charm and a sprinkle of ”oh, I just threw this together.”
Whether you’re a Francophile or just looking for a cozy upgrade, we’re about to take a très chic journey into effortless French country living room design!
1. Rustic Materials
Rustic and natural materials like wood and stone are staples in the French country style! They give the space a shabby chic look and lots of character!
2. Comfortable and Elegant
Choose furniture that’s both comfortable and elegant! The comfiness comes from the country roots, while elegance stems from the French background!
Soft velvet sofas like the ones in the picture would be perfect for your French country living room!
3. Neutral Color Scheme
This style doesn’t particularly come in lots of colors, patterns sure, but not many colors! Any inspo picture you see for the French country style will mostly have creams and beiges dominating the space!
4. Aged Like Fine Wine
Antiques will perfectly fit into a French country-style space! Like this adorable hutch containing books and some decor! These items are fairly easy to find and they’re mostly very cheap!
You’ll probably have to give it some love and a few coats of paint, but the end results will be stunning!
5. Collect Antiques
Speaking of antique furniture and how great it looks in a French country setting, it goes the same for antique decor!
Intricate vases and lamps, old candle holders, and books, all give you even more of that classy French charm!
6. Stone and Brick
Opting for stone and brick for a fireplace or an accent wall will certainly give off cottage vibes, and we’re totally here for it!
7. Baby Blue Linen Curtains
While French country isn’t a big fan of various colors, baby blue is the one exception! It goes great with whites, grays, and creams! Add a pop of blue through curtains and even pillows!
8. Vintage Chandelier
If you’d like to play into the vintage part of the French country style, opt for a vintage-style chandelier that will make your living room feel like a ballroom!
9. Simple Linen Sofa
A simple linen sofa is the starting point in your French country living room design! It’s a trusty and stunning basic that will allow you to go in any direction you see fit!
10. Mix Styles
Mixing styles is never prohibited! In fact, it’s encouraged! Here we have a blend of two fairly similar styles, the French country and rustic farmhouse!
These styles have many of the same elements, but some are drastically different, yet they work together beautifully!
11. Floor Tiles
Instead of carpet or hardwood floors, why not use stylish and chic tiles? A checkered pattern is the most popular, but you can always go for something simpler!
Tiles are easy to manage and you can always throw a rug over them if you’re cold!
12. Less is More
When it comes to the French country style, less is always more! You don’t need tons of decor and patterns on every flat surface!
Keep it toned down and marvel at the beauty you just created with minimal effort!
13. Work with Patterns
Patterns are always a welcome addition to any space since they can elevate the room and make it more dynamic!
Florals are probably the most used pattern in the French country style, so try to incorporate it in bits and pieces!
14. Exposed Beams
Don’t get rid of those stunning beams you have in your house! They’re not in the way and they give you so much character!
15. Fire Up Some Candles
If you’d like your place to feel cozier light up some of the candles you have lying around! Even when they’re not lit, candles add a certain dose of sentimentality to the space!
16. Mantelless Fireplace
While it’s great to have a mantel on your fireplace, that you can decorate however you want, sometimes it’s good to go mantelless!
It’s sleek and chic while still having that cozy factor only a fire can provide!
17. Black French Windows
We can’t forget the staple in French architecture, the black French windows!
Doesn’t matter if you’re looking to create a Parisian apartment or a French country house, black windows and doors are a must!
18. Luxury French Countryside
The luxury French country style is a blend of Parisian chic with the French country! It’s less rustic and more modern, but it still holds the vintage charm of the countryside!
19. Let’s Talk Decor
When it comes to decor in your French country living room, things like old books, candles, antique vases, flowers, and lamps all play a very huge part!
These are the things that can make or break your design, so make sure to incorporate a little bit of everything!
20. Artwork
Artwork in French country design is often vintage or ultra-modern-rustic! Do opt for frames that seem dated and worn along with the artwork that will tie in the rest of your space!