23 French Country Dining Room Ideas

What Is French Country Style?

French Country was considered “old school.” And that is perhaps what gives it some of its timeless charms. This design trend started in the Provence countryside, with old French villas and chateaus made of stone. The inside furnishings were exactly what you’d imagine—distressed wood ceilings, brightly colored decorations, and vibrant wall coatings. The perfect combination of rustic and modern created this sense of chic design that hadn’t been done anywhere else before.

The style dates back as far as the 1600s, during the reign of Louis XIV. When he renovated the Palace of Versailles, he made it one of the first large-scale buildings to boast the French Country style. At the time, this was considered the height of luxuriousness and wealth, making people across all nations jealous of the fabulous style.

Over the years, the style evolved into something that citizens in simple country homes could adopt. It soon became a symbol of the elegant and rustic French countryside. People wanted to imitate the style of richness and elegance brought on by the palaces in Paris but put them to practical and affordable use. That is where the modern Country French dining room style began. As a result, the world has adopted the style to reflect both elegance and frugality, with a warm blend of rustic nature that appeals to many modern homeowners.

Things That Set A Country French Dining Room Apart

There are a few key elements that make a Country French dining room unique. There are times where it may get mistaken for a similar style—French Rococo, for example—but understanding the features that make it special can help you distinguish it from the rest.

These include:

• Natural colors. The French countryside inspires this design, so naturally, many colors reflect neutral browns, bright yellows, rusty reds, and soft whites. Sebring Tip: If your dining room is on the smaller side, opt for more brilliant colors. If your dining room is large, you can introduce darker earth tones.
• Natural materials. Surfaces and flooring should also be inspired by nature. Also, French Country dining rooms use plenty of light-colored wood and timbers for ceilings and floors. This style also makes use of stone.
• French Country dining room furniture is unique to its style. Moreover, the table and chairs can genuinely make or break the whole scene. Furniture made from reclaimed wood is a popular choice. Farmhouse-style is ideal for bringing your Country French dining room to life. Furniture should also be functional; for example, large cupboards or sideboards with storage space are worth considering.
• Soft patterns. French Country dining rooms are not shy of decoration or style. It’s common to find a space in this style with animal-print styles or floral decorations.

Many other elements make up a French Country style. From adding warm and gentle furnishings to filling the room with accessories, you can create a look that makes your dining room look “lived-in.” Natural light, earth tones, and rustic furniture are priorities to consider when transforming your living space.

Decorating Ideas For Country French Dining Rooms

The above elements can be expressed in many ways to create the traditional Country French dining room style. Take a look at the following images, each highlighting a different feature that makes this style so warm and familiar – without sacrificing its uniqueness.

Opposites Attract

Remember that the key to defining a French Country style is with the peaceful marriage of sophisticated and rustic. Combining these elements can be done the right way. Your French Country dining room table and chairs are simple, made of solid or reclaimed wood, in an authentic farmhouse style. This leaves the sophisticated elements to the decor. Add fanciness with the drape patterns, chair cushions, or kitchenware.

Lots Of Toile

Toile is known as a French cloth used for decorating. While it literally means “cloth” in French, it also describes a fabric typically in beige or white background and covered in a repeating pattern. The pattern can be in many shapes or styles but most often depicts nature scenes (trees, animals, or farmers). Having this kind of pattern for your French Country dining room furniture can add credit to its value.

Make A Lot Out Of Your Lighting

Keeping things simple at eye level is a good idea. That allows you to add more of a sophisticated twist to the upper levels of the dining room. A hanging, antique-style lantern in your dining room can completely set the mood of the whole room. Make it a truly eye-catching piece with bright colors and fancy framing. This will look especially good against the simplistic backdrop of exposed beam ceilings or reclaimed wood chairs.

Thick Beams and Wooden Accents

Speaking of exposed beams, this is one of the most famous architectural elements of a French Country dining room. Using distressed wood for the ceiling beams can give your home an antique look, immediately adding to its value. This also adds a touch of charm to a room that instantly makes it more inviting. A style like this can be accented well with stone flag flooring. Your rustic French Country dining room sets are what blend everything together in this chic yet savvy look.

Add A Real Rustic Touch

It’s one thing to make some of the elements of your dining room look rustic, but it may be of use to incorporate actual antique pieces into your room. For example, antique farm tools, kitchen utensils, or silverware can look good displayed on the wall. Put a vintage vase out as the centerpiece on your French Country dining room table to show that you want nothing less than the real deal.

Use Ornate Colors

The French Country style is all about using natural colors…but it’s also about being elegant and inspiring a scene from French royalty. Use ornate colors like gold and silver – but especially gold – as an accent for some of the decorative items in your room. Gold drapes, gold drawer handles, or a duvet color made from gold fabric can make you feel Parisian and chic.

Use Motifs

Perhaps one of the most famous historical elements of the French Country style is its motifs on the window panels. Adding motifs to any wooden framing or molding is a creative way to turn something regular into something unique. Inspire fanciness with traditional French motifs on your windows. Your window treatments should be one of the more elaborate elements of your French Country dining room, as you want it to stand out.

Make A Statement With Old And New

Again, it’s important to incorporate both elaborate and simplistic pieces into your dining room. When you are finished with your design, it should look like you sourced your French Country dining room sets from an upscale antique store or a quality flea market shopping spree. The perfect combination of high-end and homemade, of ultra-modern and antique, of calm and noisy, is what gives this style its own definition.