Dressing like a French girl is one thing. But channeling the French in your interiors and living like a Parisian every day? That’s something else entirely. Thankfully, similar to embracing Parisian fashion in your wardrobe, infusing your home with Parisian style is totally attainable. Parisian interior design is built on simple foundations (bright white walls and mostly neutral furniture) but finds its wings in the decor details. Mirrors, bold artwork, warm metallic finishes, fresh flowers, painted floors—the style is casual, refined, and always intentional.
If you’ve always dreamed of living like a French girl, we’re here to tell you that you don’t need to live in an apartment with an Eiffel Tower view to bask in Parisian style at home. The following tips can help bring your French home vision to life.
How to Decorate in Parisian Style
Decide on a Parisian color palette
Start out on the right foot by mapping out a French color palette before you purchase paint, furniture, or wall art. When it comes to Parisian style, opt for neutral colors such as whites, creams, grays, golds, and beiges, which can make a space feel soft and airy. If you’re looking to add some more vibrant colors into the mix while still staying on theme, pick timeless shades of blue (like navy or cobalt) and dusty hues of green. If you’re unsure where to start, white walls are a no-fail option.
Purchase decor items with intention
French interiors are welcoming, eclectic, and fresh. What they are not? Cluttered and chaotic. Aside from choosing a French-inspired color palette, make your home instantly more Parisian by cutting back on clutter. Purge everything you don’t use or that doesn’t fit the aesthetic you’re going for.
Lean into antiques
A Parisian home is a found home. The best Parisian-style interiors feel collected and not directly purchased from one retailer in one shot. Antiques are a common motif found in Parisian apartments and mirror the historic aesthetic of the city itself. Have fun collecting items for your Parisian-inspired home by shopping around, antiquing, and being patient above all else. In other words, enjoy the journey of creating your new space.
Don’t shy away from the eclectic
Part of what makes French home decor so enviable is its unpredictability. While, of course, Parisian style has a recognizable sort of je ne sais quoi, no two homes are exactly the same. Mismatched furniture, vibrant wall art, eccentric wallpaper—all are fair game and encouraged when you’re out to make your home more Parisian.
Keep it cool and cozy
In spite of their characteristic “coolness,” French homes are also very welcoming and warm. High-quality throws, tasteful pillows, and vases of fresh flowers all pay homage to Parisian style while helping a home feel lived-in and inviting.
Parisian Style Decor Ideas
There’s no exact formula for a Parisian-style home, but in any well-styled Paris apartment, you’re likely to find at least one of these decor ideas:
Mirrors
Decor enthusiasts everywhere know that mirrors have the ability to instantly make a space feel larger—but they can also make your home feel more Parisian, especially when you opt for an antique style. An ornate mirror can make any space feel more chic, and bronze and gold hues in particular add to the warm Parisian aesthetic.
French-Inspired Furniture
Classic French furniture has a distinctive look that’s easy to recognize almost anywhere. If you’re looking for an accent piece to really drive home the Parisian look, consider incorporating furniture with curved legs, caned details, ornate carvings, or a gilded finish. And if you can’t afford an authentic 18th-century French chair, no worries. These days, you can find tons of reproductions that are way more affordable and built to stand up to modern use.
Florals
Florals have a magical way of conjuring a soft, feminine mood. For an easy French-inspired update, consider adding pressed botanical wall art to your bedroom, living room, or laundry room. Similarly, freshly clipped blooms displayed in vases are always a stylish home addition (and a serious serotonin booster).
Floor-Sweeping Drapes
Extra-long curtains that grace the floor give off an elegant look that’s right at home in Parisian interiors. Choose transparent panels to highlight the focal-point windows in your home or add a getaway feel to your bedroom or guest room.
Pot Rack
When it comes to things you need in your kitchen to make your space feel more Parisian, a hanging rack for your pots and pans is very firmly on the list. Not only are pot racks handy for storage, but they also provide a prime spot for kitchen decor. Adorn the rack with eye-catching pots and pans, as well as kitchen accessories like copper measuring spoons and cups or small baskets for produce.
Fresh (or Faux) Greenery
Thanks to those floor-length windows, Parisian apartments tend to get gorgeous natural light during the day. And what better way to take advantage of that than with plants? Greenery has a way of instantly freshening up any room, and Parisian homes are no exception. If you’re not blessed with a green thumb, consider adding some faux plants to your home to give it an instant breath of fresh air.
