Expertly blending rustic and royalty, the French country house style is the epitome of classic European architecture, sprinkling in modern and chic elements for a one-of-a-kind aesthetic. Reflecting a sense of history and charm, French country interior design is a wonderful way to enhance your space. Explore popular traits of French country homes and the best flooring types for this architectural style.
What Is a French Country-Style Home?
Also known as a French provincial home, a French country home is a grand-sized, cottage-style house typically surrounded by foliage and set behind a courtyard. It’s a unique mix of luxurious yet relaxed stylings, a chic rustic interior and natural stone facades.
French country-style houses combine elements from other interior design styles like farmhouse, traditional and shabby chic, creating a tasteful blend of art and furniture. Colorful textiles offset an otherwise muted color scheme, while distressed and layered linens add depth to the space without overwhelming it with color.
Opulent lighting from elegant chandeliers adds a regal flair to the space, while exposed beams radiate a cozy rustic feel. French country is a timeless design that combines a modern, royal and rustic feel all in one.
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Features of a French Country-Style Home
Given the large variety of homes found in France, not all French country-style homes are the same. However, French provincial homes usually share similar interior and exterior characteristics, all of which contribute to their eclectic style. Below are some defining features of the French country-style house.
1. Grand Exteriors
French country-style homes are often constructed from classic, sturdy materials like brick, stone or stucco. Many feature grand, arched windows with shutters and steeply pitched roofs. Iron gates, courtyard gardens and gravel pathways are other common features of this home.
You’ll often find lush greenery from rose bushes, creeping ivy or topiaries surrounding the home. French country home windows generally have multiple panes and are sometimes accompanied by iron balconies.
2. Rustic and Elegant Interiors
Next, some typical interior features of French country design include:
- Distressed hardwood flooring in chevron patterns
- Tall ceilings with rustic wooden beams and skylights
- Floor-to-ceiling windows for sufficient natural light
- Arched doorways leading to courtyard gardens
It’s also common for a French country house to feature a breakfast nook, formal dining room, living room and family room rather than one large area, as you often see with open floor concepts.
3. Neutral Color Palettes
Most French country-style homes are embellished with soft shades like cream, white, gray, pale blue or pale yellow finishes. Pops of color like red, blue, light green and black — and natural accents made of stone and wood — add warmth, texture and depth to the interior.
Top French Country Flooring Ideas
Schedule an appointmentNatural-looking materials are a key element in French country design. The right flooring can help you achieve this timeless appeal for your home. Here are some of the best flooring options for French country-style interiors.
1. Best Carpet for French Country-Style Homes
Carpeting makes a comfy addition to your French country-style living room, family room or bedroom, enhancing your space with texture and interest.
If you want to offset neutral walls with some color and design, patterned carpet may be the right choice for you. It adds an elegant, designer feel to nearly any room. Color schemes like blue, red, yellow and light green reflect a sophisticated yet relaxed French country feel.
Saxony carpet is another excellent choice if you desire a plush, formal and luxurious look and feel, ideal for bedrooms and formal living rooms. If you prefer the look of hardwood or tile over carpet, you can always upgrade your space with a French-inspired area rug.
2. Best Hardwood for French Country-Style Homes
Hardwood flooring can add a warm, rustic charm to your French country cottage. Wood species like maple, oak, ash and walnut are all lovely options to consider. There’s also plenty of flexibility when it comes to choosing a floor stain color, as dark, light and medium shades can all complement French country homes nicely.
Just keep in mind that dark flooring can enclose a room and make it feel smaller, while lighter flooring tends to open and enlarge a space. Determine whether you want a cozy, intimate room or a wide, airy feel before choosing a hardwood floor color.
3. Best Tile for French Country-Style Homes
Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) has quickly gained popularity as a top flooring option among today’s homeowners, including those looking for French country-style flooring. LVT outperforms traditional ceramic and porcelain tile materials on nearly every level, including price, maintenance requirements and ease of installation. This material’s synthetic construction is also softer to walk on than more dense conventional tile materials.
LVT comes in various patterns and colors to meet nearly every design scheme in a French country-style home. It can also replicate natural materials common in French architecture, like stone or wood. In addition, LVT’s exceptional versatility makes it a highly functional option for any room.
4. Best Laminate for French Country-Style Homes
If you’re looking for a budget-friendlier alternative to authentic hardwood, laminate flooring can imitate wood, tile and other flooring materials at a more affordable price. It’s also more resistant to fading, moisture, staining and wear and tear. Whether you desire a hardwood or tile appearance for your French country retreat, laminate flooring can help you achieve it.
5. Best Luxury Vinyl for French Country-Style Homes
Luxury vinyl is another flooring that can replicate a natural wood or stone look. If genuine hardwood isn’t in your budget, a beautiful and cost-effective luxury vinyl floor can set the stage for a French country-style living room, bedroom, bathroom or kitchen.
Attractive, versatile, affordable and durable all at once, luxury vinyl comes in both tile and plank styles. You’ll find it in a variety of designs, grain patterns and colors, so you can easily find an option to suit your French country vision.
Choose the Right French Country Flooring for Your Home With 50 Floor
Now that you’ve explored some of the best flooring for French country homes, you might be brainstorming some ideas for your own space. Partnering with an experienced flooring company is an excellent way to achieve your dream floor. Our team at 50 Floor can help you find and install the perfect French country-style flooring for your space.
When you consult us for in-home flooring offerings, our highly trained flooring consultants will bring various samples to your home so you can see what works best with your space. We’ll help you select flooring that meets your lifestyle, budget and design preferences before proceeding with the installation process.
Skip a store trip and enjoy the convenience of in-home flooring shopping with 50 Floor. Schedule your appointment for a free in-home consultation today!
