French Home Decor Ideas

• Incorporate French home decor in a variety of ways. B2M Productions/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images

  French home decor is sophisticated, bold and chic and takes a great deal of dedication to pull off the mix of antiques, art, design trends and bit of kitsch. French-inspired homes capture original flair while playing with color and the past. Incorporate French decor into your home in a variety of ways.

French Wall Decor

• French wall decor tends to display an eclectic mix of unexpected art pieces, vintage photo frames, old pictures, original French plates and paintings. A large combination of French styles can be paired together and be united by a neutral color palette. Bring together a paper collage, a few framed sepia toned photos on large matted prints, and a piece of driftwood or a wooden board displaying a unique ornament. Faïence plates can be hung above large mirrors, pictures and doorways. Look beyond paintings by mounting an individual old French stamp on a large mat or framing antique monograms.

Bedroom Ideas

• A French-style bedroom can be achieved with a few simple French touches. Any mattress can be transformed into French country by simply adding a fabric headboard made from old vintage fabrics or velvet. Further accessorize the wall by adding a small mirror or fun ornament above the headboard. Or, create a provincial French bedroom in an all-white color scheme. This style requires no headboard; use substantial, luscious and heavy fabrics in hues of milky white, ivory, or light cream. Steer away from bleached whites. Incorporate quilted, embroidered, crinkled and knitted fabrics to create texture. Accessorize the room with iconic images of France, such as the Eiffel tower or the Grand Canyon du Verdon, or frame French words or famous streets or shops. Add an extra French decorating element by hanging a chandelier or adding a quirky lamp.

Living Room Ideas

• Use slipcovers made from cotton or coarse linens in neutral colors for chairs and sofas. Bring in quilts and cushions in striped or solid colors. Toile de Jouy fabric is a French decor staple and can be incorporated into the mix with the occasional piece. Flea market finds often come together to create a French cottage feel. For example, an old bistro chair or an old birdcage mixed with soft yellow walls and splashes of blue from old French plates can truly envelop the French country style. Color sets the foundation for the design from French country to Mediterranean seaside. Cool greens and grays can be paired for a seaside color palette; add some warmth with wood tones. This color palette also looks great with brick floors or terracotta tiles. Blue, red and white make a classic French color palette as well. The blues can be aqua, blue-gray or midnight blue; reds can be cherry, tomato or pomegranate; and whites can be milky white, antique white or taupe.