French style kitchens exude elegance, charm, and a timeless appeal that transcends trends. Rooted in centuries-old traditions of French culinary culture and design aesthetics, these kitchens effortlessly blend functionality with sophistication. Regardless of your location, you can infuse your kitchen with French flair. Here are 20 ideas to incorporate, transforming your space into a French-inspired haven.
1. Add an Oven Hood
Incorporating an oven hood can give an aesthetic and French-style touch to your kitchen. An oven hood is a very important element in a kitchen. It primarily helps to remove smoke, steam, and cooking odors from the kitchen, improving air quality. If you want it to play a role in kitchen décor, then choose the right style of oven hood. You can consider wood and metal hoods, as they give a warm and vintage look to your kitchen.
2. Highlight Celling Beam
Highlighting ceiling beams can be a classic idea. It gives your kitchen the rustic charm required for a French-style kitchen. Use natural wood beams with a distressed or weathered finish to evoke the charm of a rustic French farmhouse. You can also consider dark-stained wood for exposed beams. It looks very cool and can create beautiful contrast with lighter ceilings and walls. By highlighting ceiling beams thoughtfully, you can significantly enhance the French-inspired ambiance of your kitchen, adding both visual interest and a touch of authentic charm.
3. Incorporate Patterned Tile
To enhance the French-style aesthetic, incorporating patterned tile is an excellent way. Terracotta tiles, hand-painted tiles, and encaustic cement tiles are examples of patterned tile. These tiles often feature traditional looks, soft, earthy colors, and charming designs for your kitchen.
4. Give Rustic Look
The easy way to make your kitchen French-style is by incorporating a rustic look. There are some elements that, by incorporating them, you can make your kitchen French-style. Wooden cabinetry, beams, stoned backsplashes, countertops, farmhouse sinks, and rustic furniture are ideas for achieving a rustic look.
5. Natural Light
Design your kitchen to bring in enough sunlight through the window. Natural light adds a beautiful and refreshing vibe to your kitchen. Also, it contributes to giving your kitchen a French look. Try to add a skylight to give your kitchen a natural vibe. For that, you can consider large windows. Additionally, install light curtains or sheer drapes to allow sunlight to filter through while maintaining privacy.
6. Copper Cookware
Display or show off some cookware made of copper. It can transform your kitchen into a French-style kitchen. French kitchens often feature open shelving or hanging racks that showcase beautiful copper cookware. Install a pot rack or add shelves to display your collection. This not only makes the cookware easily accessible but also serves as a stunning visual element. Combine copper with other rustic elements like wooden cutting boards, stone countertops, and ceramic tiles. The warm, inviting tones of copper complement the earthy textures and colors typically found in French country kitchens.
7. Touches of wood
To enhance the French-style aesthetic, give a touch of wood. Wooden shelves, wooden cabinets, wooden cutting boards, and utensils can create a warm, inviting French-style kitchen that feels both elegant and homey. The combination of wood and copper, along with other rustic touches, will give your kitchen the timeless appeal of a French countryside home.
8. Bright Blue Kitchen
In terms of color, use some light colors such as sky blue. You can make it the base color. You can add blue wall shelves, cabinets, and electronic appliances. For a balanced look, consider painting the upper cabinets in blue and the lower cabinets in a neutral color like white or light gray. Install a blue tile backsplash. Subway tiles, Moroccan tiles, or intricate mosaic patterns can add visual interest and enhance the French-inspired design. Incorporate small appliances in blue, such as a stand mixer, toaster, or kettle. These can serve as functional décor pieces.
9. Vintage Art work
Use antique or distressed frames to complement the vintage artwork. Ornate gold or wooden frames can add an elegant touch. By carefully selecting and placing vintage artwork in your kitchen, you can create a warm, inviting space that reflects the charm and elegance of a French-style kitchen. The key is to choose pieces that resonate with you and complement the overall design of your kitchen.
10. Wooden Floor
Wooden floors always add rustic charm to a kitchen. Creating a French-style kitchen with wooden flooring can transform the space into an elegant, warm, and inviting area. For adding wooden floors, there are many types of wood, such as oak, maple, walnut, and pine. These woods give you a light color, rustic, and luxurious feel. By carefully selecting the right type of wood, finish, and coordinating elements, you can create a beautiful French-style kitchen that exudes warmth and sophistication.
11. Curtain Under the Sink
Introducing a curtain under the sink is a functional solution for concealing storage space and also beautiful at the same time. It enhances the French-style aesthetic of your kitchen. Light fabrics are ideal for sink curtains. Linen, cotton, toile, gingham, and floral prints are the types to consider.
12. Install Designed Backsplash
A well-designed backsplash can give the aesthetic of a French-style kitchen, adding both visual interest and functionality. There are various materials to consider, such as classic white, colored or textured, and hand-painted ceramic. Additionally, you can install a stone marble backsplash. Backsplashes always protect your walls and enhance the beauty of your kitchen as well.
13. Marble Countertops
Marble countertops are another idea to bring a country vibe to your kitchen. You can consider white creamy textured marble. For a timeless and elegant look, combine white marble countertops with white or light-colored cabinetry. Also, marble countertops are easy to maintain.
14. Add Bar Stools
Choosing the right bar stools can significantly enhance the French-style charm of your kitchen, especially when paired with marble countertops. You can set them up on the Kitchen Island. This can add a modern vibe to your kitchen.
15. White Kitchen
Forget everything. Just go with white. Design your kitchen with an elegant white look. It will give a refreshing and peaceful vibe. Also, it beautifully mixes with the countryside to bring a French vibe. White cabinetry, creamy textured backsplash, light white curtains with natural sunlight, and marble countertops paired with cabinetry. By incorporating these elements, you can create a fabulous French vibe. Also, consider gold as an accent color, such as cabinet handles and countertop edges.
16. Add Greenery
There is nothing more to say about the necessity of green plants. They complete your kitchen design. Add some herbs and small plants that require low maintenance. It creates a welcoming atmosphere and completes your decoration.
Related Post: Greenery for Your Kitchen Décor: Guide and Ideas
17. Pendent Lighting
A French-style kitchen demands a little touch of industry. Pendant lights are a perfect choice for adding both functionality and a touch of elegance. Opt for pendant lights with vintage or antique designs. Look for fixtures with brass, copper, or wrought iron finishes, which are commonly found in French country kitchens. Lantern-style pendants bring rustic and countryside charm. Hand-painted ceramic pendant lights pair well with a white kitchen.
Related post: Light Up Your Cooking Space: Options for Right Light
18. Candelabra lighting
Candelabra lighting can undoubtedly add a touch of elegance and authenticity to a French-style kitchen, but it is not the only way to achieve this look. By thoughtfully combining other key elements like color, materials, décor, and alternative lighting options, you can create a beautiful and inviting French-inspired kitchen that suits your personal style and needs.
19. Exposed natural Brick
The coolest way to decorate your wall is to expose the natural brick. Use natural brick in the backsplash, or you can select one ideal wall and apply this theme. This kind of wall is perfect for hanging artwork. You can decorate it with small French artwork. It will give a natural vibe and French look.
20. Texturize Wall
If you want to recreate an old French vibe in your kitchen, consider giving your open shelf wall a random texture with different colors. For that, you can choose vibrant blue or gray. This textured backdrop provides a rustic and cozy atmosphere that complements other elements of French-style décor, such as wooden accents, vintage-inspired lighting, and wrought iron fixtures.
These 20 classic French style kitchen ideas offer endless inspiration for creating a kitchen that is both functional and beautiful.