Decorating in Provençal style is like living a dream! Imagine yourself in the countryside of southern France: expanses of lavender, landscapes that seem painted in watercolor, a light sea breeze...
Provençal decor originates from these very lands: a blend of lines, colors, and decorative accessories that allow you to recreate the dreamy atmosphere of Provence in your own home!
In this guide, you'll find many ideas for decorating your home in Provençal style, a collection of inspirations that will allow you to capture the spirit of this decor style and recreate the atmosphere of the French countryside in your home.
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To put it simply, we could say that a Provençal-style home has many elements in common with the romanticism of shabby chic and the rustic warmth typical of country chic decor, but this decor trend is much more than a simple mix of other styles.
Want to find out how to decorate your home in Provençal style? Follow the advice in this guide!
Materials for Provençal-style furnishing: not just wood!
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Let's start with the materials you can use to bring Provence into your home. Furnishing in Provençal style requires the use of some very specific materials.
This furnishing style is inspired by the country houses of southern France: here's a short list of materials you can use to recreate these welcoming atmospheres!
1) Weathered wood: Aged wood is the undisputed star of Provençal furnishings! You can use it for furniture, small benches, exposed beams, or even to create decorative details.
2) Rough stone: An idea for adding a rustic, country charm to your space! Use it for floors, wall coverings, or to create a fireplace in your Provençal living room. Want to recreate a stone effect without spending a fortune? With beautiful wallpaper, you can achieve a similar effect, perfectly in keeping with the Provençal style!
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3) Wrought Iron: In Provençal decor, handcrafted metal is often used for decorative details such as railings, wall lamps, or furniture accessories. For a true touch of Provence in your home, choose wrought iron accessories with floral details.
4) Ceramics and Majolica: Materials often used for walls or floors, or simply as decorative elements. Look for pieces with traditional floral or geometric motifs to furnish your home in Provençal style with a touch of true elegance!
These are the basic materials for discovering Provençal decor in all its authentic beauty! They're not the only ones, of course: textiles are also of fundamental importance, and we'll discuss them shortly. But now it's time for another essential step to curate this decor style to perfection...
The most suitable colors for a Provençal home? Neutral colors and pastel shades!
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Now let's talk about the most suitable color palette for creating the perfect Provençal decor. Much like the shabby chic style, a Provençal home should favor pastel and dreamy shades, but not only that.
Here are the most suitable colors for a Provençal-style home!
- Lavender is the iconic color of Provence! Use it for walls, fabrics, and decorative details. How to pair it? Lilac, light purple, or blue allow you to create a dreamy and relaxing atmosphere.
- Milky white and beige are essential colors in Provençal decor, neutral shades to use on walls and main furniture to create a bright and fresh Provençal touch.
- Marine green adds a touch of contrast and depth to the palette. It recalls the green of French fields and vineyards, making it perfect for a Provençal decor with a rustic feel.
- Warm yellow will bring the color of sunflowers to your Provençal home! Use it sparingly, for example, for decorative elements like candles, vases, and paintings.
- Light blue and sky blue shades are reminiscent of the open skies of Provence. Use them for fabrics, wall decorations, or even hand-painted furniture.
As you can see, decorating in Provençal style also means choosing natural, soothing shades that characterize the fresh elegance of the French countryside, perfect for decorating a fairytale Provençal bedroom.
Choose decorated and pickled furniture to decorate in Provençal style
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Here we go, the time has come to choose the right furniture for your Provençal home! Let's start by saying that, more than ever, aesthetics and functionality must go hand in hand.
Provençal furniture should convey a sense of lightness to the room, but with very specific stylistic characteristics. Here are some perfect furnishing elements for Provençal-style homes!
- Sideboards and Cupboards: The two iconic pieces of Provençal decor! Choose them in pickled wood and with decorative French writing if you want to add a real touch of style to your home.
- Display Cabinets: Perfect for displaying decorative objects or tableware in a Provençal living room or kitchen, such as hand-painted ceramics or colorful plates. Oh, and display cabinets are also perfect for decorating the bathroom!
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- Dining Tables and Coffee Tables: Choose solid wood with a pickled or lacquered finish in pastel shades. Coffee tables can feature wrought iron or carved wood details: they'll add a touch of rustic elegance to your Provençal decor.
- Baskets and Baskets: A perfect solution for keeping your Provençal home organized with a touch of lightness! Use these containers (preferably wicker or rattan) as an alternative to traditional flower vases!
- Wrought Iron Garden Furniture: Are you lucky enough to have an outdoor space? Transform it into a splendid corner of Provence with wrought iron chairs and tables!
With these furnishing elements, you can transform your home into an authentic and welcoming Provençal space, reminiscent of the traditions of the French countryside. Love to experiment? In this case, have fun creating a beautiful contrast between "old" and "new" by combining vintage furniture with more contemporary furnishings to embrace a trendy, modern Provençal style!
Provençal-style furnishing fabrics: natural lightness
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When it comes to choosing fabrics for your home, think of the rustic and welcoming atmosphere of French country homes. Adding fresh, natural textiles is an excellent way to create a light atmosphere and perfectly harmonize with the essence of Provençal decor!
Here are some tips for choosing the right textiles to furnish your home with a touch of Provence:
- Linen is a natural, fresh fabric that pairs beautifully with Provençal style. Use it for curtains, sofa covers, or light blankets.
- Cotton is a versatile and breathable fabric, ideal for sheets, cushions, and tablecloths. To decorate in Provençal style, choose cotton sheets with floral or striped prints!
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- Jute is a rustic and natural fabric perfect for rugs, tablecloths, or decorative pillows. You can also use it as a base to create personalized tablecloths or runners.
- Checkered or striped fabrics recall the charm of French country tablecloths. Use them for curtains, bedspreads, or tablecloths to add a touch of country style to your Provençal decor!
Colors are also important when choosing fabrics: natural or in various pastel shades, they're perfect for curtains, sheets, pillows, and tablecloths. Remember: Provençal decor is all about "lightness"!
Complete your Provençal decor with lavender and aromatic herbs
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To complete your Provençal decor, fresh flowers, aromatic herbs, and plants typical of the southern French countryside are a must! Don't forget that flowers and herbs add a note of fragrant freshness, essential for creating the right atmosphere in Provençal homes.
Here are some plants for decorating in Provençal style:
- Use lavender! Don't just choose to incorporate its colors into your decor: you can grow it in the garden or in a pot to always have its distinctive scents and purple hues available.
- Rosemary is an aromatic and ornamental plant typical of the Provençal region. Use it in the kitchen to flavor your dishes and place it in pots or rock gardens to add a touch of greenery.
- Thyme is another essential plant for adding a touch of aromatic freshness to your Provençal home. It's ideal for flavoring stews, soups, and sauces. Grow it in pots or planters to have it on hand.
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- Sage is a very common, rustic, aromatic plant that's easy to grow. Its fragrant leaves pair well with meat and poultry dishes. Grow it in pots or in the garden.
- Mint is ideal for refreshing herbal teas and for decorating desserts. Add a touch of freshness to your Provençal home with this easy-to-grow plant.
Aromatic herbs are perfect for completing a Provençal kitchen decor, but all these plants are suitable for any room in the house. Have fun adding a touch of freshness to your Provençal decor!
Decorations for Provençal style? Get inspired by the countryside!
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What's missing to complete your Provençal-style home? The right decorations! Choosing themed decorative objects is a great way to make your home's rustic, vintage atmosphere even more vibrant and authentic.
Here's a series of decorative objects for Provençal-style decor with a focus on country atmospheres!
- Enamel jugs and vintage vases: Elegant and perfect for use as vases for fresh or dried flowers, creating romantic arrangements. Choose vintage pieces in pastel colors or floral motifs to complete your Provençal decor!
- Vintage ceramic objects: Plates, teacups, and bowls decorated with Provençal motifs, such as classic lavender or sunflower designs. Display them on shelves or as tabletop accents to add a touch of Provençal tradition.
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- Candelabras: Perfect for creating a romantic Provençal-style atmosphere. Place them on the dining table or on furniture to add soft, welcoming lighting, but they're also perfect for decorating a Provençal bathroom with a soft, relaxing atmosphere.
- Coffee Grinders: Old coffee grinders are truly unique decorative objects that fit perfectly into Provençal decor. Place them as a decorative element on a kitchen countertop or as a centerpiece!
The possibilities are truly endless, and with Provençal objects, you're spoiled for choice, especially since much depends on the room you want to enhance.
As you can see, decorating your home in Provençal style isn't that difficult! It only takes a few simple steps to recreate the welcoming atmosphere of the French countryside in your home.
