Style Your Home Like a Parisian with 12 Decorating Ideas from Designers

There’s a certain je ne sais quoi to Parisian decor. Perhaps it’s the centuries-old architectural details paired with herringbone floors. Maybe it’s the marble mantels topped with gilded mirrors. How about floor-to-ceiling window treatments, soft-lined sofas, or a collection of priceless antiques? Oui, oui, and oui. 

Whatever draws you to the style, Parisian decor is packed with character. Each key element evokes a lovingly lived-in look that nearly anyone would love to emulate.

That’s why we spoke with interior designers to help us break down the key elements of Parisian decor so you can style your home with a French feel. Read on for 12 tips for decorating with a Parisian design aesthetic—even if you’re an ocean away from the City of Light. 

Meet the Expert

• Alex Bass is the founder and CEO of art advisory and interior design studio Salon 21.

• Kate Martindale and Amy Neunsinger are the interior designers behind Rose & Mortar.

Choose a Warm and Inviting Color Palette

For a palette any Parisian would approve of, opt for neutral, warm tones (like a soft white or barely-there blush) for both paint and furniture. This creates a serene, inviting atmosphere—one worthy of hosting wine and cheese nights.

“These colors work beautifully with vintage elements and luxurious materials, offering a soothing backdrop to your French-style sanctuary,” Neunsinger says.

Celebrate Vintage Charm

Key features of Parisian decor include vintage, vintage, and more vintage. Embrace the charm of vintage decor, allowing the natural aging of materials to shine. Incorporate old-world elements that add character, such as vintage furniture, antique decorations, and patina finishes. 

“This approach not only pays homage to the past but also brings a unique, lived-in feel to your space,” says Neunsinger.

Refresh Your Floors

You don’t need 100-year-old herringbone floors to evoke a Parisian aesthetic. (Though wouldn’t that be nice?) To give your floors a French makeover, sand them down. This lightens the wood, which creates a refreshed and airy ambiance.

“Light floors can significantly brighten up your space and offer a beautiful contrast to vintage elements,” says Martindale.

Add a Gilded Mirror (Or Two)

Parisian homes are rarely seen without a gilded mirror. You don’t have to go full Hall of Mirrors at Versailles with your choice, but the larger and more ornate, the better.

Not only are they beautiful, but practical, too, as mirrors make small spaces feel roomier and allow for a last check of your lipstick before heading out the door.

Bass recommends adding a gilded mirror over a mantel and also in an entryway.

Mix In New Pieces with Vintage Treasures

Vintage elements are a given when it comes to Parisian decor, but don’t let your space feel antiquated. Incorporate new elements—like framed modern art or a sleek light fixture—to balance the look. 

“Definitely source some great Louis XIV-style pieces to hit home the Parisian feel,” Bass says, “But like any aesthetic, you need to make it yours and mix in more contemporary pieces."

Paint With Faux Finishes

Your home may not inherently have the history a Parisian apartment does, but you can instantly add age to the walls with a faux plaster look. Try Venetian plaster or Roman clay paints from companies like Portola Paints, which Bass says gives a worn-in, warm feeling.

Add a Mantel, Even if You Don’t Have a Fireplace

If your home isn’t outfitted with a 19th century fireplace, like a Parisian apartment may be, you can still achieve the must-have look of a mantel. Create a faux fireplace with a standalone mantel, which you can stain or paint to coordinate with your space.

Strategically Select Furniture

To maintain balance and proportion, choose furniture that scales perfectly with your room. 

“Choose pieces that complement the vintage vibe, such as a vintage curved sofa recovered in velvet, to add a luxurious touch,” Neunsinger says.

Install Decorative Molding

Close your eyes and imagine a quintessential Parisian apartment. Chances are it features decorative molding, whether crown molding or picture frame molding.

Decorative molding adds more than just a French feel to a room. It provides texture, architectural interest, and an old-world charm to your living room, bedroom, or any other space that could use some depth.

Select Luxurious Materials

Elevate your decor, Parisian style, with luxurious materials. A velvet-upholstered armchair, silk pillowcases, or marble fireplace mantel will surely add a French quality to any space.

Layer Vintage and Colorful Rugs

Use colorful rugs to tie together various tones within your space, advises Martindale. This adds cohesiveness while adding warmth beneath your feet.

Design Tip

Try a darker vintage rug in the entryway, which serves both functional and aesthetic purposes, welcoming guests with style.

Display Fresh Flowers

Perhaps the easiest way to embrace Parisian decor is to display a bouquet of fresh blooms. Whether you buy them at Trader Joe’s or a farmers market in Montmartre doesn’t matter.

Choose romantic blooms, like roses or peonies, for a show-stopping living room display. Then, pluck just a couple of stems out for a fresh addition to your bedside table.

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Read the original article on The Spruce.