These 12 Living Room Ideas Are 100% French Girl Approved

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updated Apr 22, 2020

It's no secret that the French have a knack for all things personal style and decorating, and we can usually turn to them for some of the best interiors and furnishings, from classic trumeau mirrors to iconic Charlotte Perriand furniture. It's not only that the French create beautiful things, but they also take great pride in assembling them together to create beautiful and comfortable interiors.

The best part is that they don't just focus on what's expensive. Just like French women can effortlessly pair a vintage scarf with a shirt from H&M and a Chanel bag, they have a talent for blending family heirlooms with budget pieces from IKEA and flea market finds. Want to know a few secrets to help you decorate like Parisian women? We rounded up 12 French-style living rooms to inspire your own décor projects.

Italian Lighting & Modern Club Chair

French-Style Living Room Ideas — Courtesy of A+B Kasha

The French are all about contrast when it comes to their decorating style. If the architecture of a room is very traditional and ornate, chances are they'll swing more modern in their furnishings. Some of their favorite modern staples: modern club chairs and Italian mid-century pendant lights.

1stDibs Vintage 1950s Italian Pendant Light $2,700

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&Tradition x Viggo Boesen Little Petra Lounge Chair $4,274 - $7,424

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Branching Bubbles Chandelier & Velvet Tuxedo Sofa

French Living Rooms Tips — Courtesy of Jean Charles Tomas

The French love to set the mood for entertaining—even on a casual Tuesday night with the family. This includes a multitude of dimmed light sources and deep lounge-y sofas that are ultra-comfortable but also look and feel tailored. A velvet tuxedo or English roll-arm sofa is a staple in French living rooms, as is a chandelier with multiple light sources.

Modern Artifax Branching Bubble Chandelier

Modern Artifax Branching Bubble Glass Chandelier $1,690

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Chairish Vintage Monaco Black Velvet Sofa $3,495

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Bergère Chair & Modern Sculptural Stool

French Living Room Ideas — Courtesy of A+B Kasha

The French have a knack for creating cozy corners that feel effortlessly put together—and they're not afraid to mix and match styles. For instance, it's not uncommon to see an antique Bergère chair paired with a modern sculptural brass stool to create the perfect little reading nook.

Successfully mix styles and periods by combining new-to-you finds with pieces you already own and love.

Ballard Designs Louisa Upholstered Bergere Chair $1,499 $1,199

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Hosley Hammered Metal Stool End Table $70

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Iconic Modern Sofa & Contemporary Photography

French-Style Rooms — Courtesy of A+B Kasha

Because many French interiors are so traditional, many Parisians have a penchant for more modern furnishings—and they're really well-versed when it comes to iconic midcentury designers and contemporary art. They also know how to mix and match items of varying price points. For instance, it's not uncommon to see an iconic furniture piece—like a Vladimir Kagan serpentine sofa—next to more affordable framed photography or other inexpensive accents.

Ilka Kramer Unframed MalaNazar 24 $1,070

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Vladimir Kagan Vintage Cloud Serpentine Sofa $7,500

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Trumeau Mirror & Sculptural Art

If there's one thing that the French know how to do better than anyone, it's styling a mantel. It doesn't hurt that their homes often come with the most beautiful marble fireplaces and original trumeau mirrors already in place. But even if you have to source your own classic French mirror to hang over your fireplace, consider complementing it with anything sculptural, like a vase or a work of art that can offset the classic nature of the trumeau.

1st Dibs Large 19th Century French Baroque Sculpted Mirror

1stDibs French 19th Century Large Baroque Sculpted Mirror $2,976

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St. Frank Bamileke Juju Hat VII $395

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Vintage Turkish Rug & Gilded Chandelier

French-Style Living Room Tips — Courtesy of A+B Kasha

Did we mention that the French love contrast? Though many homes feature beautiful French doors and intricate plasterwork, some apartments skew a little more on the modern side. In these instances, it's not rare to see the French reverting back to a very traditional interior to give the space a little character. Vintage Turkish rugs at the base and ornate chandeliers on the ceiling can give architectural detailing to a room that's on the simpler side.