Decorating Ideas for French Provincial Entertainment Centers

Leave It Natural

• French provincial furniture is often left with a natural finish because natural materials are an important element in the decor. You can finish your entertainment center with a stain so the wood’s natural graining is still visible. However, be sure to choose a dark stain that gives the furniture a warm, rich look. It creates a striking appearance if you have lighter wood or carpeted floors because the contrast between the dark wood of the entertainment center and the light color of the floor naturally draws the eye.

Paint It

• If your room has darker walls and you want to brighten the space, you can opt to paint your French provincial entertainment center instead of staining it. French country decor often features furniture painted in light colors, and faux finish techniques may be used to give the furniture an antiqued look. Try whitewashing your entertainment center to create a distressed finish. However, if you prefer a more whimsical look, paint the entertainment center in a solid white or cream shade and use stencils to add colorful designs on its surface. Choose stencils in the shape of vines, flowers or even farm animals like roosters to give your French provincial style entertainment center a one-of-a-kind look.

Pair It With a Patterned Couch

• After you have settled on a look for your entertainment center, you should choose other furniture items to surround it with that also have a French provincial look. One of the most important items to consider is the sofa, because it will likely be placed in front of the entertainment center. Opt for a sofa that is upholstered in a French provincial style fabric like chintz or calico. For the most authentic look, try a toile patterned sofa in a bold black and white. If you can’t find a sofa in the right fabric, purchase toile or calico fabric to make slipcovers that turn your plain sofa into the ideal companion for a French provincial entertainment center.

Add the Right Accessories

• While your entertainment center will house your television, DVD player and other home theater equipment, you may still have space to display items. Adding the right accessories to it can provide additional French provincial flair to your room. Look for pottery in French country colors, such as blue, yellow and green. Even pitchers can add color and interest to the shelf of your entertainment center if you add some silk lavender sprays or sunflowers to them. Copper bowls or cups also work, and you can place lavender scented candles in wrought iron candlesticks for a simple but elegant display.