French Country Kitchen Ideas for a Warm European Cookspace

Timeless,  the combination of rustic, natural elements with luxurious French details characterizes a French Country kitchen. Ever since Louis XV took his royal court for delightful get-aways to the country in the 18th century, that special blend of farmhouse and royal feeling has been a decor favorite.  Here are some of our favorite French Country Kitchen Ideas for a Warm European Cookspace.

French country kitchens are found in the French countryside, from Provence to Burgundy to Alsace, of course. But Francophiles all over the world love this warm, inviting decorating style, particularly in the heart of their home. The kitchen above definitely parles vous Francaise, but it’s in England! Here are some French Country kitchen ideas to help you design your own cozy space at home.

What is French Country Kitchen Style?

French country kitchens are often have stone or wood floors, exposed wood beams, stone countertops, and plenty of personality! Antique cooking pots in copper, old cutting boards, stone jugs, wood utensils and French dishes from long ago enhance the charm.

Since your kitchen is the heart of your home, it’s most likely the most used space. It’s used for everyday meals and entertaining too. What’s great about decorating with French Country decor is that vintage and antique pieces already have a worn, aged patina, so a few more signs of use are desirable, instead of a disaster!

So how can you add French Country charm to your kitchen?

Choose a farm house sink.

A French Country kitchen must, a farmhouse sink with its big size and beautiful large front ‘apron’ is a wonderful addition to your kitchen design. Originally made for using to wash vegetables and dishes before indoor plumbing {so no running water} a farm house sink brings instant country charm!

Use Natural Stone.

Meld the old world with the new world and come up with a fresh, modernized version of the classic French country kitchen by using natural stone finishes. In addition to our black stone counters in our kitchen at FrenchGardenHouse, we have a center island that is white marble. For many years, we had an old wooden table there, because wish as I might, the budget just wasn’t there to make the island of my dreams. So happy to finally have been able to have it made! Although our custom made island is large {it can seat 10} it doesn’t feel overwhelming because it is made with warm, natural materials like wood and marble.

Decorate with French antiques.

French country kitchens are typically outfitted with copper, wood cutting boards, and pottery from Provence. These old accessory pieces not only work hard in daily life, but seamlessly integrate into a French Country style. Think old clock faces, charming antique prints and paintings, and blue and white pottery or neutral pottery pieces to enhance your French Country feeling.

Use Open Shelving or a Wall Hung Shelf.

Open shelving or a small wall-hung shelf is a great way to help your French Country kitchen not look too designed. Your French Country kitchen should have layers, like it came together over time. This little shelf here at home shows off an ever-changing collection of french bowls, pottery, herbs and whatever makes me currently happy at any given time.

Collect French Linens and Tableware.

French Country style kitchens that are actually IN the French countryside have a mix-matched look. My girlfriends there use linens they inherited from their grandmere’s, their aunts, their parents, along with new antique linens they truffle out at the local flea market. Same with dishes. Their table tops are an inspiration, truly works of art, different each time because they usually don’t have full sets of any give dish pattern!

Here at home, I have a collection of different ironstone pieces that mix and match together, but also with all sorts of French transfer ware plates at any given time when i want a more colorful table setting!

French linens are so sturdy…they’ve lasted for over one hundred years and will most likely last another 100!

Bring In Art and Non-traditional Objects.

Sprinkling in art and decorative objects is how you make your French Country kitchen YOURS, and to achieve that lived-in look that French Country kitchens have.

I hope you have enjoyed this inspiration for a French Country kitchen! Creating a French Country kitchen is a little like building a home, one part at a time. If you rush and want everything ‘just perfect’ you’ll make choices you might later wish you hadn’t. Your needs can change, your style will change , so by slowly layering in the antiques and things you love, you can learn as you go about what makes YOU happy! Because like everything in your home, your home should reflect you and tll your story, not someone else’s.

We are away on a trip sourcing French Country antiques in Europe for the next 10 days. I’ll be hunting for special dishes, linens, copper pieces and cutting boards, to name a few! Lots of exceptional, one of a kind antiques coming soon for you to layer in your dream French Country kitchen. In the meantime, we’ve added a small container filled of wonderful and exquisite culinary antiques to the online shop. : )

Thank you for your visit!  We are currently in Europe on our buying trip for our shop FrenchGardenHouse, our online shop is open with lots of just unpacked French {and English} antiques, but please know that shipping will begin after 8-06-24.