30 French Country Kitchen Design Ideas That Bring on the Charm
Add a rustic style to your cooking space with these inspiring colors, accessories and wood details.
Your kitchen is one of the most important places in your home, and crafting your dream space isn't always an easy process. Whether you're looking to upgrade it with modern and sleek appliances (such as your refrigerator) or enhance its look with a completely new design, the first step is to pinpoint the style you want to replicate. And if you're a fan of rustic accents and traditional flair, our French country kitchen ideas will inspire your decorating approach.
To put it simply, French country kitchens are charming and chic. They can feature fancy oven hoods, classic furniture, vintage-inspired lighting and a combination of natural materials — wood, seagrass, leather and cotton included — to make a room feel homey yet elegant. And this doesn't mean you have to style your kitchen (whether it's small or large) like those in the 17th and 18th centuries. You can go for a soft and airy feel while staying true to today's design trends. Take a look below for inspiration.
Add a Kitchen Sink Window
Give your space an airy feel and welcome the relaxing sounds of nature by installing a window near the kitchen sink. This is a simple way to bring in light while staying true to the warm and classic feeling of a French country design.
Mix Tile and Wood
White subway tiles and wood accents make for a kitchen that's equal parts modern and rustic. Use tile for the walls and wood for your shelving to bring character to a sterile space.
Keep That Brick Wall
If your home comes with an interior brick wall, don't let it ruin the design. It brings a vintage and unique look that can enrich any modern decor.
Opt for Wood Countertops
If you're unsure how to incorporate natural materials into the kitchen, using wood for the island and countertops is an easy and visually-appealing option.
Craft a Traditional Dining Area
Try copying this kitchen's aesthetic, with its wide dark-painted windows, a charming dining table set and a coffered ceiling that only complement's it's country-like appeal.
Mix and Match Wood Tones
Give your kitchen an authentic and rustic look with white-washed wood or whitewood. Plus, the process is simple and budget-friendly.
Include Copper Accents
Incorporate copper accents into the space —such as the lighting, sink faucet, or drawer and cabinet handles.
Hang Pots and Pans
Save your cabinet space by hanging pots and pans above the kitchen island. This will add to the space's rustic charm — especially if they're copper cookware.
Decorate With Vintage Artwork
Add antique art to the walls — similar to this look by House of Jade Interiors. Think pastoral paintings, eye-catching mosaics and classic historical portraits.
Install a Pendant Light Over Your Sink
While it's not necessary to bring an abundance of light to a kitchen with a window by the sink, hanging a retro pendant can easily help you achieve a French country feel.
Design Coffered Ceilings
Coffered ceilings can give your kitchen depth, offering the appearance of sunken panels for a historic look.
Hang Candelabra-Style Chandeliers
Design the space with baroque carved embellishments — such as these candelabra chandeliers — for a memorable and elegant aesthetic.
Weave in Green
Kelly Mittleman and architect Mark Finlay designed this quaint Connecticut country kitchen with a stylish shade of green that matches the wood tones and creamy whites featured throughout the room.
Embrace Arched Ceilings
While many may choose to vault their ceiling in the family or great room, opt to do it in your kitchen instead.
Try a Traditional Range Hood
Range hoods not only add light above your stove, but they also add to the kitchen's welcoming atmosphere for family and guests.
Add Rustic Bar Stools
If you can't decide what kitchen island seating to choose, try round wood counter stools. They provide the perfect amount of contrast to white decor.
Consider a Star and Cross Floor Design
There is something unique and historic about a star and cross patterned floor. Play up your kitchen's French country appeal by balancing the look with an oversized kitchen island in a rich wood tone.
Incorporate a Vintage Rug
Rugs can create an intimate and cozy feel to any space — the kitchen included. The right one, especially an antique design, can add a rustic touch to modern decor.
Set Up a Country-Style Stove
A ceiling isn't the only spot that can boast an arch. Consider an arched stove for an instant focal point.
Design With an All-White Look
A creamy white interior enhances any style you're trying to replicate. It's a simple way to make a design scheme feel light and airy.
Mariah Thomas (she/her) is an assistant editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers home and lifestyle content. Mariah has more than four years of editorial experience, having written for TLC, Apartment Therapy, Women's Health and Avocado Magazine. She received her master's degree in journalism at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism and published her first book, Heart and Soul: Poems of Thoughts and Emotions, in 2019. She's also the founder of RTF Community, a platform for creatives of color to connect, learn and showcase their work.
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