French Kitchen Design - How to Copy this Chic, Timeless Look

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Make your kitchen feel effortlessly elegant with these French kitchen design tips.

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There’s something inherently warm and inviting about a French kitchen. It’s an aesthetic that feels elegant and effortless, which is why people all over the world love adding a touch of this style to their own kitchens. Whether you’re dreaming of a relaxed farmhouse kitchen in Provence or a more refined Parisian apartment feel, French kitchen design offers a mix of beauty, function, and a lived-in quality that never goes out of style.

In this post, we’ll discuss the history of French kitchen design, the key elements that define the look, and how to copy this look in your own home.

After spending some time in the South of France last spring, I have been looking for ways to incorporate some touches of French style into our home so I’m sharing some of the images I’ve saved as inspiration!

French kitchen with soft beige cabinets, blue stove, brass hardware — Bethany Khan

Elegant creamy white kitchen in Parisienne flat with orate moulding and antique chandelier — L’épuration

A Brief History of French Kitchen Design

French kitchen style has its roots in rural farmhouses and country estates, where form followed function. These were working kitchens that needed to be practical, but they were also spaces where family life happened. Over time, the materials and layout evolved to balance utility with an appreciation for craftsmanship, art, and nature.

In the South of France, kitchens were often designed to stay cool during hot summers, with terracotta tile floors, plaster walls, and deep sinks carved from stone. In Parisian homes, the look was more refined: paneled cabinetry, marble countertops, and high ceilings gave a more tailored elegance. But whether rustic or refined, the focus was always on quality, charm, and a certain relaxed sophistication.

Historic French chateau kitchen with rustic charm — Chateau de Gudanes

French chateau kitchen with sage green cabinets, marble countertops and backsplash, and brass hardware — Chateau de Gudanes

Key Elements of French Kitchen Decor

1. Natural Materials

Authenticity is at the heart of French design. You’ll often see a mix of aged woods, limestone, marble, copper, and ceramic. All of these materials develop a charming patina over time. Floors are often reclaimed terracotta or wood planks and countertops are typically marble or butcher block.

French kitchen with terracotta floor tiles — Chateau de la Ruche

2. Soft, Muted Color Palette

French kitchens are known for their soft, muted tones. Think creamy whites, gentle taupes, pale greens, and dusty blues. These colors reflect the light beautifully and pair effortlessly with both warm wood tones and cooler stone finishes. A pop of sage green or French blue on the cabinetry adds interest without feeling overwhelming.

French country kitchen with powder blue cabinets — Town Country Coast

3. Open Shelving and Displayed Collections

Rather than hiding everything away, French kitchens embrace open shelves to display favorite everyday items, such as, stacks of blue and white dinnerware, copper pans, and vintage glass jars. It’s a look that feels both curated and casual, especially when you mix in antique finds or heirloom pieces.

Kitchen with blue and white plates, stone floor tile, antique accents, copper pots — Maison de Frederic

4. Freestanding Furniture

Instead of built-in cabinetry wall to wall, many French kitchens include freestanding pieces, like a farmhouse table for food preparation and dining, a butcher block style island, or an antique cupboard used as a pantry. This adds to the curated feel that’s so integral to the style.

Kitchen with exposed beams, antique wood island, open shelving — Viviet Margot

5. Elegant Hardware and Lighting

Despite the relaxed, informal feel, details matter in French kitchens. Cabinet hardware is often unlacquered brass, which ages to perfection. Lighting includes wrought iron lanterns, crystal chandeliers, or classic sconces. These small touches elevate the space and add a little romance.

French kitchen with grey cabinets, copper pots, black and gold range, unlacquered brass hardware, vintage lighting — Carole Poirot

6. Copper and Aged Metals

Copper pots hanging from a rail or peg or vintage silver trays leaned against a backsplash are a perfect way to give your kitchen a lived in feel.

Copper pots displayed in French kitchen — Viviet Margot

7. Timeworn Accents and Antiques

French kitchen design doesn’t shy away from imperfection. A slightly chipped ceramic bowl, an antique breadboard, and a rustic market basket are all things that add personality to a space.

Ceramic kitchen pots displayed on antique wood cabinet in French kitchen — Rue Dauphine Paris

How to Add French Style to Your Kitchen

If you’re looking to bring the feel of a French kitchen into your own home, start by thinking about the mood you want to create. Do you love warm, cheerful feel of a cottage in the South of France? The quiet luxury of a Paris flat? The charm of an old-world farmhouse?

Then, you can start layering in these French touches:

Cabinetry: consider painting your cabinets a soft color like a creamy white, pale blue, or sage. Choose classic hardware in a material that will patina, like unlacquered brass.
Backsplash: try a neutral zellige tile, a marble slab, or hand-painted tiles for a more artisanal look.
Open shelving: replace an upper cabinet or two with simple wooden shelves. Use them to display vintage plates, glassware, art, or a few collected treasures.
Lighting: swap out builder-grade lighting for lighting with more character such as a vintage-style chandelier, sconces, or a lantern.
Fabrics: look for soft linen or cotton in stripes, gingham, or toile patterns. Add cafe curtains on the windows or hide appliances with a simple fabric skirt.

Vintage farmhouse kitchen in South of France — Milieu Magazine

White Parisienne kitchen with high ceilings and wood floors — L’épuration

Where to shop the French kitchen look

You don’t need to fly to Paris or scour the markets of Provence to create a French-inspired kitchen. There are plenty of places to find decor, lighting, and accessories that nod to the style:

1. Etsy: a treasure trove for vintage copper pans, decorative dishes, antique French signs, and original artwork.

2. eBay: great for finding antique furniture like hutches, islands, and dining tables with real patina.

3. Terrain: beautiful tabletop pieces, linens, and kitchen accessories with a natural, rustic feel.

4. Williams Sonoma & Sur La Table: many options for high-quality copper cookware and French kitchen essentials. You can also check Amazon for cheaper options.

5. Anthropologie: a good source for ceramic canisters, open shelving decor, and light fixtures.

6. Local antique stores and Facebook Marketplace: these are perfect places to score real French finds or pieces that feel collected and storied.

Kitchen with French blue cabinets, exposed beams, copper pots — Kristin Mullen Designs

Elegant farmhouse kitchen in French chateau — Provence Poiriers

I’ve linked some French kitchen inspired decor for you to shop below. If you’ve enjoyed this post, I’ve shared similar home decor posts below the shopping section for you to read next.

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