If you’re looking to do a bit of remodeling in 2022, you should definitely consider Parisian decor. It’s a chic style that features the likes of wall panels, herringbone parquet floors, marble fireplaces, carved moldings, tall windows, and high ceilings.
Read on to discover some great tips and ideas for implementing this style in your home.
What Is Parisian Style Decor?
There is no denying that the French have mastered the art of decorating. However, there’s a difference between how people in the capital tend to adorn their apartments and the way people in the countryside decorate their homes.
Parisian style is all about mixing the classic with the contemporary. It doesn’t typically follow an order nor is it carefully planned. More often than not, the end result is a compilation of meaningful elements set around the room in a whimsical fashion. It’s not as clean-cut as the Scandinavian style nor as folksy as boho decor—rather it’s a shabby chic trend that’s simultaneously modern and timeless.
Tips for Parisian Apartment Decor
Here are six tips that you can follow to get your home to look très chic.
Make Sure the Blank Canvas Is Beautiful
When we think about French style, we usually think of all of the beautiful decorations and ornaments. However, even if you take everything away and only take in the blank canvas, you’ll see that Parisian apartments already have serious flair even when bereft of furniture and various knickknacks.
We’re talking about the big vertical windows, which let in a lot of natural light, as well as elegant fireplaces that could so effortlessly become the center of the room. The classy crown molding on the ceiling, the elegant paneling on the walls, and the old herringbone parquet floors are a signature of Parisian home decor.
Don’t Overstage
If you were to take the traditional American decor approach, the mirror would be affixed to the wall, on a prime spot, directly opposite a window, and at a height where you could easily see the reflection of your face. The photo frames would all be arrayed evenly as well. But as you see, clean lines and conventional placements aren’t a must when it comes to the Parisian style.
This trend is about making sure that things are arranged in a manner that is meaningful and usable. You will never see a French home that looks like a showroom. The French like their properties to appear as they are—lived in!
Mix and Match Different Styles From Different Time Periods
When it comes to Parisian-themed home decor, you really don’t need to concern yourself with the “design rules” that we all seem to follow religiously. For instance, not all furniture needs to fit a certain style—mixing and matching is the way to go here.
So, don’t be afraid to put a Provencal armoire right next to a mid-century modern reading chair. Instead of worrying about each piece of furniture’s style, think about how you can bring materials, colors, and textures together in a harmony. The more carelessly luxurious it looks, the better.
Let Your Space Evolve Naturally as Time Goes On
Unlike in the US, where a room’s decor is finished pretty much as soon as you move in, in France, they like to take their time before adding all the elements of the room. The French view their homes as living, breathing places, which develop naturally. Rather than having a solid strategy for their Parisian room decor, they prefer to see their interiors take a natural course of development. In the end, you have a property that has plenty of history, and the eclectic decor and furnishings that reflect this richness.
So, if you’re aiming for this type of interior design, start small and don’t obsess over the objects’ placement. If you find an item that you love, add it. If you haven’t come across anything that you like yet, don’t fret. The room can withstand the passage of time without suffering for it.
Don’t Be Afraid to Break the Rules
Notice the cluster of frames on the wall, the rug that’s almost hidden beneath the wooden cabinets, and the bedside lamp that’s neither on a nightstand nor pointing towards the artwork. None of it is “following the rules”, yet it looks beautiful, doesn’t it?
If there’s one thing that you can learn from Parisian style home decor is just how fun it can be to break the rules and go with your instincts. It’s a great experience of exploration and getting to know your own sense of personal style.
Our recommendation is to keep your hardwood floors pristine, add some greenery to liven things up, and simply let the rest fall into place.
Build the Room Around Some Classics
If you’re committing to Parisian interior design, we recommend you start off with a few classics, and then provide the finishing touch with items that reflect your personality. If you take this approach, you simply cannot go wrong.
Take a look at the picture above. There are three chief elements of the room in terms of decor. Let’s start with the tall sculpture in the niche. It’s eye-catching, stylish, modern, and goes very well with the flooring.
The second element we want to highlight in this Parisian-inspired decor is the chandelier. The mere fact that it’s not a pendant lamp or a LED flush mount ceiling light evokes olden grandeur, even if the chandelier’s design isn’t exactly sumptuous. If you take a closer look, you’ll see it’s a little off-center when compared to the room’s third element—the dining table.
The chairs and the table itself have a simple, modern design that isn’t particularly remarkable. However, the fact that it’s all black in a room that is otherwise neutral makes it the room’s highlight feature. Plus, the fresh flowers on top of the table add a touch of color and vibrancy that only makes the dark furniture stand out more.
Conclusion
If you follow the steps that we mentioned above, you’re sure to create a beautiful space. Parisian decor will make your home shine in the best possible light, bringing out the best in every room and reflecting your personality in every corner.
