What Color Bedroom for a French Theme?

French Country

• French Country takes its color inspiration from the surrounding countryside, blurring the boundaries between indoors and outdoors to encourage the feeling of bringing the outdoors inside. A French Country-style bedroom is light and airy. Layering a range of white, creams and ivory provides a fresh, clean feel. Combine these neutral tones with soft greens, Mediterranean blues, gentle yellows and delicate heather and lilac shades. A small splash of a bolder color, such as red to represent poppies or roses, gives depth to the color scheme.

French Empire

• The French Empire style is based on classic Greek and Roman design. It's an opulent style that features extensive decoration and elaborate ornamentation, Greek and Roman motifs, and the letter "N" for Napoleon. A French Empire-style bedroom has earthy, neutral shades such as light tans, soft grays and light mocha. Combine those hues with bolder colors, such as rich reds and amethysts, deep greens and royal blues, and accent them with gold. In a small bedroom, colors that are neutral and light work best, with accessories introducing the deeper, darker hues.

Parisian Boudoir

• A Paris-themed boudoir is a funky and modern choice for a bedroom and offers a real French vibe. The color palette for this style of bedroom depends on personal preference; anything goes as long as it's bold and striking. Bright, sexy pink accented with black creates a feminine chic effect. Red and black combine for an equally striking room with a slightly more sophisticated ambiance. Using black and white creates an elegant effect, and adding splashes of brighter colors lifts the effect and adds visual interest.

French Cafe

• Quaint French street cafes can inspire a romantic and stylish French-themed bedroom. Examining pictures of street cafes in travel books or on the Internet will give you a good idea of the cafes' colors and patterns. When you see a street scene that really leaps out at you, use it for your color inspiration. Combine the rich creams of whitewashed walls or deep brick reds with the red and white stripes of awnings and the black of wrought-iron tables and chairs, or the light tan colors of wicker furniture.