21 Tips for an Authentic French Farmhouse

Thanks for stopping by! This week we are going to dive into 21 tips for an Authentic French Farmhouse. When I change up the style in my home I find one of the first steps is to start brainstorming with pen and paper. I turned my brainstorming session into a blog post for you, so you can skip this step! Let me know (and share with others) in the comments how you add French Farmhouse to your home!

What is the French Farmhouse Style?

When I think of French Farmhouse it’s a Farmhouse decor styled with French touches. Easy …right? Well it would probably help if we knew what that entailed. The authentic French Farmhouse style takes rustic yet elegant touches from the Countryside in France and combines it with the simple, yet functional feel of  the Farmhouse style.  So let’s break it down even further.

The French Farmhouse theme sticks to neutral tones, soft features, and organic materials, and certain patterns (detailed below).

Tip 1

For your first of 21 tips to an authentic French Farmhouse use a neutral color scheme combined with natural materials. Neutrals include the colors, tan, brown, black, white, navy, grey. Natural materials include wood, metal, brick, stone, linen, cotton, etc. Using natural materials really brings out the “Authentic” look of the French Farmhouse. Remember Natural = Authentic 🙂

Tip 2

Use some patterns! I know tip one mentions neutrals, but adding patterns to the decor ( for example the pillows or walls) brings in the French feel. If you are planning on using a pattern stick to those with primarily neutral colors or a Toile de Jouy fabric. Patterns such as stripes, hunting scenes, flowers, landscapes all work for a French inspired farmhouse.

Note: A Toile de Jouy fabric is a particular type of linen that comes in romantic pastoral patterns in one color ( usually blue, red, green, or black) on neutral background/ unbleached linen. So, the background is in the off white shade. (see tip 8 for an example of this type of fabric)

This picture below shows a great example of using wall paper pattern complimented by the room decor. The red pattern wall papers goes with the red undertones in the furniture. A green is used in the curtains which goes with the secondary colors in the wall paper. The rug is also red with other neutrals so it matches the wall paper also (even though they are two different patterns).

Tip 3

Declutter your home to highlight the French Farmhouse inspired touches. This style always goes with the less is more approach. You don’t need to get down to being minimalistic with your decor, but you want to declutter and make all your decor intentional.

Tip 4

Incorporate stone and/or brick in your home. If you don’t have the option for a stone or brick fireplace then try to think of alternative ways to incorporate these materials in your home. Some ideas on ways to incorporate these items: stone or brick accent wall, a kitchen island with a stone or brick accent wall, stone or brick flooring. This living room as an amazing brick fireplace with red undertones.

Tip 5

Make a wood feature. If possible use wood that looks slighly weathered or used. Some ideas: wood beams, floors, and furniture all go with the French Farmhouse style. The picture above shows off a gorgeous wood feature in the living room.

Tip 6

Find some vintage antiques for the rooms in your home. A side table, coffee table, armoire, bookshelf, entryway table, picture frames, or a mirror all can be picked up at an antique store for a great bargain!

Tip 7

Mix your neutrals and patterns – but don’t use more then one – two patterns in the same room. If you have a small room I wouldn’t use more then one pattern for that room. If you do use two patterns don’t use both patterns on the bigger items in the room. As an example – If you use a wall paper pattern use neutral tones for your furniture, curtains and pillows. If you have a linen couch with a pattern use a neutral color on your walls and pillows, but you can possibly use another pattern for curtains- just as long as the patterns don’t clash (try to keep the patterns in the same color scheme).

Tip 8

Use pillows to compliment your furniture in each room. Pillows with stripes, plaid, or a Toile de Jouy fabric would do well in bringing out the French Farmhouse style.

Tip 9

Pick a linen or cotton curtains with neutral colors. If you are uneasy on picking patterns that don’t clash just stick to the neutral colors. Unbleached curtains are simple and give off a country farmhouse vibe, which will add style to your French Farmhouse decor.

Tip 10

Find antique items ( to name a few items: lamps, trays, clocks, mirrors, books, etc) made from wood and metal to display on your coffee table, entryway, bookshelf, and/or night-stand.

Tip 11

A really eye-catching feature of French Farmhouse homes is adding a wood feature to your walls. Add wainscoting or board and batten to your walls and paint. It really adds the extra style to the room and looks so good!

Tip 12

Use wall art that has an antique frame with picture of flowers, landscape scenes, hunting scenes or portraits.

Tip 13

Don’t forget about decorating the exterior of your home. Make or purchase French inspired shutters.

Tip 14 & 15

Plant lots of flowers and display cut flowers inside your home and plant gardens of flowers outside.

Tip 16

Use clay pots for flowers to display outside your entry door, on your porch and deck ( any and all outside seating areas)

Tip 17

Have a wood feature on your outside front porch or entryway. Either a rustic wood framed door and doorway or wood beams on your porch. See picture below:

Tip 18

If you don’t have a fireplace- purchase a mantle to display in your living room as a focal point. Use a mantle with detailed (simple or complex) carvings with a rustic finish in a neutral color. Or if you have a fireplace but your mantle isn’t styled to fit your new French Farmhouse theme you can always re-paint or replace. This picture below shows off a perfect Fireplace/mantle for a French Farmhouse:

Tip 19

Purchase an old wood grandfather clock to display in the living room, dinning room, office, or entryway. These old clocks are eye- catching and really make a great conversation piece. Not to mention they will go perfect with your French Farmhouse decor.

Tip 20

Pick lamps and chandeliers made in neutral colors with metal and wood. Chandeliers made from wood with detailed carvings are so pretty and add such great details to the home.

Tip 21

For a kids room remember the basics – neutral colors, and one-two patterns. Use linen and cotton fabric, and use natural made materials. For example if you find a really fun curtain with a pattern (for kids) you can compliment it with a neutral light striped wall paper ( on an accent wall) and then paint the rest a neutral color to match the wall paper and curtains. The bed and other furniture should be made of either wood or metal and your practically there! Add some lighting – a cute chandelier for a girls room, or more rustic lighting for a boys room, a bookshelf and/or armoire with wood carved details. Don’t forget to add your own personal touch to complete your look. Simple but elegant.

Let’s wrap it up!

I hope you learned a little bit more about how to decorate with a French Farmhouse style in mind with this list of 21 Tips for an Authentic French Farmhouse. It’s really something you can have a lot of fun with when decorating your home. We went over everything from tips for outdoor decor, living room decor, to kids bedroom decor and everything in-between. Hope were inspired with some great decor ideas!

All the love,

Lindsay

As a reminder before I go – I have some rustic home decor items in my shop. Be sure to check them out for your new home decor styling adventure:

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