A mix of elegance and effortlessness defines the French sense of design. From the ageless buildings in Bordeaux to the eclectic mix of Paris decor and luxury furniture, there’s a signature design language that flows across the country.
It’s a sense of style that is truly embedded in the region and is in deep contrast to the interiors and exteriors you see around other parts of the world. Replicating this design language isn’t easy or inexpensive and most people fail to capture the true essence of Parisian interior decor.
Nevertheless, it isn’t impossible. With a little planning and the right suppliers, you can recreate the quintessentially modern French home no matter where you live. Here’s how you can decorate your apartment like a true Parisian:
Never overstyle
There’s a lot of different ways to describe a Parisian maison, but ‘overstylish’ isn’t one of them. The home must look livable and comfortable, not gaudy and overbearing. Try to pick furniture, accessories, and artwork that give off a sense of nonchalance. While picking bed sheets, duvets and pillowcases, look for things that feel good rather than look like Instagram-worthy. Decorate the apartment with small and deeply personal artifacts, like family heirloom or a souvenir from another country. Do-it-Yourself (DIY) elements may seem imperfect, but that’s part of the charm of a Parisian home.
Remember, the Parisian home is not just a look, but a feeling.
A hint of lavishness
A rare hint of something that stands out is a great way to make a statement with your interior decor. Think of a large flowing drape for the windows or an ornate mirror that covers the entire wall. One eye-catching central art piece will also help your room express who you are. Learn how to get a trendy Parisian furniture for your apartment. These touches of lavishness and opulence are moist effective when they’re rare, so try not to go overboard.
Embrace minimalism in the closet
Paris is a densely crowded city with smaller-than-average apartments. Large closets and walk-in wardrobes aren’t really part of the city’s design language. Instead, pick an elegant armoire. These are movable cabinets or shelves and hanging rods that are typically ornate or antique. Not only will this setup save space, it will also allow you to display your most treasured outfits.
Accentuate the building’s structure
Instead of fighting and hiding the columns and walls in your apartment, try to make them part of the decor. Of course, French homes have the advantage of historic architecture, but if you have special materials built into the framework, you might want to show them off. For example, leave a stone wall uncovered or keep the wooden flooring bare.
Celebrate mirrors
Instagram influencers tend to get pretty creative with the way they use mirrors to create their posts. The fact is, mirrors can be used in so many different ways that it makes sense to add creative mirror elements throughout the house.
Reflective surfaces and mirrors can change the lighting in a space and make any room look larger. You may want to experiment with different sizes and shapes of mirrors to add character to the room. The materials and colors used to frame the mirror can also be played around with to get the perfect mix of style and utility. A typical Parisian room uses mirrors like creative art expressions in different spaces. Irregular shapes, circular mirrors, and concave designs are common in the most stylish French homes.
Colors with subtlety
Most European houses use subdued colors instead of bright and bold shades. Picking the right colors isn’t about going with what feels right or sets the mood at any given time, it’s a holistic design element that needs to be carried across the house. For example, if you’re using a muted color scheme in one room, you need to match that with the furniture, linens, and drapes in every other room of the house.
It’s best to consult an expert when picking the colors for your home. Use a professional color wheel to mix and match and always refer to a European catalogue to get a sense of what works best.
There’s a well-defined roadmap to making your house look like a Parisian apartment. The local style is a mix of nonchalance and elegance that definitely stands out. Even if you don’t want to recreate the Parisian theme throughout the house, a little touch of Paris is always a good idea.