How to Decorate With French Provincial Furniture

Work with the curved lines and carvings present in picture frames, wood furniture and other French Provincial decor. Avoid contemporary decor or wall art that has straight lines and a minimalistic look.

Choose fabrics that complement the French Provincial look, such as toile, checks, stripes and plaids. Patterns often have motifs that include roosters, grapes, olives, lavender, sunflowers and even beetles.

Select colors for your fabrics, wall paint and other decor that emphasize the soothing, elegant ambiance of French Provincial furnishings. Colors such as grass green or a darker hunter green, blues seen in ocean settings, bright yellows or soft golds, bold or burnt reds complement French Provincial furnishings well.

Pick occasional or dining chairs with hand carvings or curved wood. Choose chairs with vertical slats or ladder backs if you want your home to exude a country or rustic atmosphere.

Emphasize a semi-formal appeal by utilizing armoires throughout your home for storing linens, clothing and other accouterments. Other options are to hang mirrors with carved frames or set out antique reproductions with an Asian influence. These add a classic elegance to the space.

Set wood carvings, woven baskets of natural fibers and pottery around the room to enhance a rustic or shabby chic French Provincial room.

Cover your walls with European-inspired wallpaper, such as toile, pinstripes, checks or plaids. This is particularly effective in bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens or other rooms that you want to give a cozy sense of intimacy.

Hang decorative chandeliers, wrought iron wall sconces and wall art to emphasize the French Provincial furnishings. Gold-toned metals or glass light fixtures add to a semi-formal style, while wrought iron enhances a rustic or country ambiance.

Lay down an area rug that helps emphasize the look you want for the room. For instance, a rug with a rooster motif looks attractive in a shabby chic kitchen area, while a more formal striped pattern works well in a dining or living room area.