French country design effortlessly combines the rustic and relaxed with the practical and beautiful. It’s a popular style to choose as it allows you to mix and match colours, textures and furniture anyway you like.
It’s also homely, which is essential for any kitchen!
If you’re considering a French country kitchen, we have some inspiration just for you.
We have collected 10 influential ideas to help you put together your own French country kitchen without having to spend a fortune.
Photo by Aaron Huber on Unsplash
1. Colours and prints
The mix and match nature of French country style means you can use a range of warm, soft colours freely within your kitchen.
Think pastels, soft blues, creams, warm pinks and you’re on the right track. You can then add more colour, pattern and texture with printed fabrics, loose cushions and a tablecloth.
2. Copper accents
Copper accents work in any kitchen, especially a French country kitchen. They bring in more warmth and texture while creating that homely feel we’re looking for.
Consider hanging copper pots and pans, copper taps or sink, a copper splashback or copper plinths. With the strong character of copper, less is more but you can add real character.
3. Architectural touches
Architectural touches refer to exposed beams, tiled or stone floors and an overall appearance of being worn and well-loved.
Exposed beams can be created as long as they fit the style of house and tile or stone floors can be laid in most kitchens.
4. Kitchen table or island
Kitchens are working spaces so an island or large table works exceptionally well in any kitchen, but especially in French country style.
Kitchen islands can fit into your overall design while you have more freedom with a table. The more rustic and more lived-in it looks the better!
5. Wooden floors
If tile or stone floors sound a little cold for your tastes, exposed wood floors can create a similar effect. If not exposed floorboards, think parquet with less lacquer or high quality wood laminate.
Like everything else in French country style, it needs to look homely and as though it has been there forever.
6. Patchwork of tiles
If a copper splashback doesn’t sound like your thing, how about a patchwork of mismatched tiles? This is a rustic design classic and something that would look amazing in any kitchen.
As long as the tiles have a similar colour palette, tone or style, they will look amazing even when mismatched.
7. Baroque styling
Baroque styling is about as French as it gets but you should be careful when integrating it into a French country kitchen.
Less is definitely more here, so choose a piece of furniture wisely and run with it. Consider a sideboard or dresser while keeping everything else rustic to make it really stand out.
8. Antique style taps and fittings
Antique style taps and fittings are another rustic classic that can make a design. You can buy a wide range of antique style hardware with modern movements.
Use taps, combine with exposed copper pipes, consider old style cupboard and drawer handles and you’re on the right track.
9. French designed appliances
French designed appliances can often look like our very own Aga, with a few French flourishes.
Designers like Lacanche sell French style appliances that look old but use modern heating elements and controls to create their signature look.
10. Reclaimed furniture
We think reclaimed furniture looks good anywhere, especially in a French country kitchen.
Think strong wood, robust tables, mismatched chairs, that Baroque sideboard or dresser, a kitchen island or window seat and you’re halfway there.
French country kitchen design
There is amazing freedom when designing a French country kitchen. If you keep ‘rustic and comfortable’ in mind, you’re on the right track.
Mix and match is at the heart of the design, which gives you a lot of freedom to buy second hand, browse brocantes and upcycle to your heart’s content!