“French Country” Kitchens Are the Sophisticated New Way to Do Cottagecore
Americans have long been drawn to French style. In the fashion realm, mastering red lipstick and donning outfits fit for a Parisian — trench coats, stripes, full skirts — are as sought-after now as they were during Brigitte Bardot’s heyday. And French style is just as popular for interior design, although interest has recently moved away from the city and settled in the countryside. One look in particular is currently getting the most attention: The French country kitchen.
“I think a ‘French country’ kitchen is trending because it feels livable,” says designer Drew Scott of Lone Fox. “It’s not fussy or pretentious. In today’s world, I think we are all seeking more of a slow-living vibe, and French country exudes that slower pace.”
Melissa Oholendt, founder and principal designer of Oho Interiors, agrees. “The romanticized idea of slow living, especially as we head into another busy summer, influences our surroundings,” she says. “So many of us, myself included, are low-key obsessed with the French aesthetic and lifestyle.”
If you’re dreaming of putting fresh wildflowers in a vase on an island and picking eggs straight from the henhouse, here’s what you need to know about creating a French country kitchen (no passport needed).
How to Define a French Country Kitchen
For starters, the staples of a French country kitchen aren’t what was popular decades ago. “I would consider the latest iteration to be more French country farmhouse,” Scott says. “The French country of the ‘90s was about cafe curtains, gingham, chicken figurines, and shabby chic faux finishes. Today’s take is more about authentically rustic details: limestone floors, reclaimed furniture, and natural light.”
Think of a French country kitchen as a more sophisticated spin on the cottagecore style that’s held strong the last few years — it’s still earthy and inviting, but isn’t as cutesy. The colors look more muted, and the materials are more aged.
“French country style is all about soft colors and textures, and embracing raw elements,” Oholendt adds. “For instance, a French country kitchen would have linen or stained wood alongside the soft curves of antiques or intricate lighting. There would be limestone flooring and finishes that age over time.”
How to Achieve the Hallmarks of the Style
As the designers mentioned, a French country kitchen is made to feel as if it’s been around for generations — it gives the impression that your grandmother’s grandmother baked a pie in the same space. So aside from the natural materials mentioned above, perhaps the ethos of this style comes down to a single word: Patience. “Getting the vibe of an old French provincial farmhouse isn’t a look that can be achieved overnight,” Scott says. You can’t really rush it.”
To help get started, though, check out 10 French country kitchen ideas below that you can recreate in your own home.
1. Prioritize Surfaces with a Patina
Oholendt recommends seeking out unlacquered brass as hardware, like in this Brooklyn townhouse, or as an accent if the more fixed surfaces in the kitchen can’t be changed. “Look for finishes that will patina,” she says.
2. Incorporate Wood as a Star Feature
While uncovering century-old wood beams on your kitchen ceiling isn’t guaranteed, a French country-inspired space should have lots of this natural material. It may be worthwhile to source reclaimed wood from antique stores or flea markets — another celebrated French pastime — and use it as a table, bench, or island.
3. Bring in Marble as an Accent
Marble countertops — pictured here in a stylish California house — would achieve the trend, as this is another longstanding material. But if you can’t go full renovation, no problem. Marble can also be featured in smaller doses, like a utensil crock, salt and pepper shakers, a cookbook holder, and so on.
4. Paint in Warm Neutrals
If you can commit to an overhaul, Scott suggests starting with paint. “I would paint the cabinets light, but not white,” he says. Take a cue from this Berlin apartment and opt for shades that fall between white and beige. You could also sample robin’s egg blue as an accent, which is another classically French shade.
5. Layer in Texture with Lime Wash
Scott also recommends doing a lime wash on the walls, if you don’t mind a more labor-intensive DIY than painting. Stick to earthy, natural colors for a lived-in effect, which Diana Yen — food stylist, cookbook author, and owner of Studio A La Carte — implemented in her Ojai, California, house.
6. Don’t Upholster Linen on High-Traffic Areas
While he would easily cover a dining table with a linen tablecloth for a special dinner, Scott doesn’t recommend this material for everyday items that’ll get a lot of use. “Light linen fabrics are very French country, but not very practical for something like barstools,” he says. “The same goes for open shelving, which definitely gives a French country vibe, but it’s not practical for everyone.”
7. Show Off Your Spices
To create a homespun, cozy atmosphere, take a cue from this Madison, Wisconsin, condo and display your collection of spices on open shelves. Decant them into Mason jars, and line them between cookbooks and a floral arrangement.
8. Pay Attention to Moldings
Installing intricate molding around the edge of your kitchen would heighten the feeling of being in a French country-inspired space, as seen in the New York kitchen of Pretty in the Pines founder Shelby Vanhoy. Just be sure that it matches the same color as your walls.
9. Pick Relaxed Lighting
It may seem natural to choose a chandelier for your lighting — after all, that’s likely what Marie Antoinette would do — but it’s a better idea to save that look for Versailles. “Undersized crystal chandeliers paired with natural materials definitely reads French country, but this probably isn’t a look that will stand the test of time,” Oholendt says. “I would pivot to a distressed lantern instead for a look that has a bit of longevity.”
10. Finish Things Off with Vintage Accessories
When it comes to the finishing touches, lean into vintage finds. “Sourcing antique ceramic crocks for florals or utensils, a soft landscape oil painting for a sweet corner moment, or maybe even adding a hanging pot rack with aged copper pans can speak to the style overall, even if you can’t make major changes,” Oholendt adds.