There’s a lot of minimalist and functional styles out there at the moment such as Scandinavian and while they are great, not everyone wants to declutter, go minimal and avoid those interior design flourishes. If you are someone who likes a more elaborate, historical style, then the French style may be perfect for you and here are some top tips to bring it into your home.
Be effortless
French interiors are something like French fashion style – somehow effortless and careless yet work perfectly. They never seem styled yet always look great and that’s the aim of a great French interior. The first thing to remember is to not stress about getting everything perfect – that effortless, slightly careless vibe means that it doesn’t matter if you mix vintage and new furniture. For example, you can pair a reclaimed wood unit with a new bookshelf. You can find new stylish furniture like tables and drawers provided by Homes Direct 365. It is about creating what you love rather than following strict design rules.
Reuse and recycle
Another important approach to French style is the belief in reusing and recycling furniture and other items. Many interior designers use a rule called ‘chiner’ which is all about checking out second-hand shops and places that sell reclaimed and restored furniture such as hfruk.co.uk to find something that does the job perfectly but isn’t perfect and brand new.
It also means you can work with things you already have and recycle them into something different. That cupboard can have the door taken off and be used as a shelving unit with some ornaments in it. Or the chest of drawers can be rubbed down and painted into a different colour that fits in with the new look.
Consider lifestyle
One of the reasons that the French have an effortless style is because they design their spaces around the purpose of the room, not just for show. So that might mean a dining room table and chairs but also a sideboard for the potted herbs you are growing. It might mean an ornate fireplace with pictures of the family in recycled frames above it. Function is an important part of the design system and focuses on practicality over style.
Ornate touches
In terms of finishing touches, the ornate ones are definitely strong in this style. Dressing the bed with layers of lace or throws over the sofa are just two examples while frilly, pretty cushions can be put on chairs or a crochet throw laid artfully across the corner of the bed. There are lots of places where you can buy these finishing touches – look for terms such as Boho or Bohemian when searching online for inspiration.
Window dressing
Those ornate touches also apply to the windows in the room and one popular option is to use wood shutters and blinds rather than linen curtains. The shutters can be ornamental or practical, depending on the type of window, and the blinds can be made from pretty fabric and tied up with ribbon to have that casual, relaxed vibe that fits well. Window seats are a popular option and don’t forget to throw on a few textured cushions.
Practical and pretty
Not all ornaments have to be pretty and fancy – something as simple as apothecary style jars can make a great item to place on a fireplace or in a window. Homemade candles, jars filled with soaps or bottles filled with scented liquid all offer a typical French look and also help freshen the room. Many items are sold in this style now so if you aren’t a DIY fan, then you can easily buy this kind of look to add to your space – even soaps with this style to them are available easily online.
