A French-inspired home decor guide that will make your home look as chic as the city itself. This guide will show you how to get the Parisian Apartment style in 5 simple steps.
If you follow me you’d know that I’m obsessed with the French girl style. I dream of one day living in a beautiful Parisian apartment or eventually turning mine into a baroque palace. If you also adore French contemporary style, then I surely hope you’ll take inspiration from this guide.
While many of us might fantasize about living in Paris. We could also settle for a more eclectic style that layers new and old with a French flavor. If you are not living in the city or amour it might seem like a challenge to decorate your home like a Parisian. But in fact, achieving a Frenchified apartment style is much easier than it looks.
Even if you cannot find an apartment with molding and parquet wood floors, there are other key elements of the Parisian contemporary style that you can implement in your home. Beyond just interior design style, several lifestyle factors add to the character and charm of many Parisian homes, especially when it comes to dining and entertaining. So in this guide, I’m sharing how to get the Parisian apartment style and create a French-inspired home no matter where you are in the world.
Je Pense, donc je suis.
I think therefor I am.
Rene Descartes
1. Paint Your Walls White
In a typical Parisian apartment, walls are generally painted white. The color white allows to bring to get as much natural light as possible. Black accents are found on doors, furniture, or light fixtures, in order to add depth and contrast to a room.
For this reason keep in mind that light-reflecting white walls do wonders for brightening up a space where it may be difficult to get much sunlight. But if you want to add some color to your walls, I recommend going for light beige, cream, or gray paint.
When done correctly you can achieve the Parisian style on a darker palette. For instance – I love how the different shades of gray are layered in this contemporary apartment designed by Anne-Sophie Pailleret.
2. Add a Gold-Gilt Mirror
An ornamented gold mirror becomes the perfect decorative item to brighten up a room and also create the illusion of having more space. Sometimes placed above fireplace, the gilded mirror is an integral part of the Parisian decor. The large mirror can also be placed on the floor in a bedroom or a dressing room for example.
You can find Baroque mirrors online like this one from Amazon and a selection from Etsy at a reasonable price. Another option is to search your local thrift stores and antique shops. After all, here you’re more likely to find a gold mirror with a vintage charm and at a lower price. If you don’t have thrift stores near by here is an option for less than $100.
3. Go with Art and Culture Accessories
French contemporary style borrows from different styles, blending modern elements with more traditional design. This is why Parisian apartments feel so charmingly antique and chic. Adding newer pieces perfectly compliments the old Baroque style, so try incorporating contemporary international pieces into your space like this Mid-Century chair or this tulip base table. You can easily find more affordable versions of these famous styles online. Check out this fun and affordable mushroom lamp to pair up with other mid-century pieces.
When it comes to choosing artwork, surround yourself with meaningful objects, décor elements, and things that make you feel “warm and fuzzy”. Pro tip: consider arranging your record collection or adding a few books and magazines to your coffee table. For example; display a souvenir from a recent trip or hang a unique piece of art on your wall.
4. But Keep It Minimal
Even though I mention to add art and culture accessories to your spate make sure to keep things minimal. Given that, a modern Parisian interior is neither over styled nor over staged. Parisians know the value of minimalism, and aren’t afraid of empty space, on their walls or their floors. For this reason art is often large and singular, or simply not there at all, and furniture is given room to breathe. As always, “less is more”. Parisians generally have only a few key pieces of furniture, but the best quality they can afford.
Opt for Velvet and Linen
Velvet is one fabric that you can find in almost any chic Parisian apartment. In other words make sure to add some French flair to your space by adding a Baroque style velvet armchair or ottoman. Consider a pair of colorful velvet pillows to liven up your home if you don’t want to invest in expensive velvet furniture. Or chose a linen like fabric sectional such as this 4-seat sofa from Ikea.
5. Add some Light fixtures and Greenery
In essence, placing plants throughout your space is a simple way to liven up your French-inspired apartment. You can add a bouquet of fresh flowers to the different rooms of your home or also place potted plants here and there. Additionally, if you have a green thumb, you can transform your outdoor space into a chic Parisian balcony, by filling it with potted plants. Or if you’re too busy to take care of fresh flowers, dried flowers are a wonderful alternative.
Oh my Chandelier!
Finally we introduce the magical accessory piece of the Parisian style décor. All Parisian apartments feature one of these sparkling beauties. You can choose from many different styles: mid-century lighting chandeliers, crystal chandeliers, or more contemporary lighting pieces.
Here are some of my favorites: I love this crystal and black accent chandelier. Its oh so glamourous. Or you can opt for a safe option with this minimalist 6-light black chandelier.
How do you decorate your Parisian-inspired space? Let me know in the comments below. Also, make sure to check out my French girl inspired shopping list where I’ll be sharing more of my favorite Parisian décor throughout the year!