Some Useful Guidelines To Design French Country Family Room

French country decorating is informal and cozy, and the rural French family room is destined for relaxation, family gatherings and long conversations near the fireplace. But you don't need to move to Provence to feel the French countryside. You may recreate it by making use of French country in your family room, and have a gathering place which feels comfortable, warm and inviting.

French country decorating is rustic, yet with an understated elegance. Color schemes tend to compliment and bring to mind the gardens and countryside, and space is used carefully to keep things comfortable, but organized. There is no one right way to use French country decor, but here are a few tips to get you in progress.

Furniture
Furniture in the French country family room entices people to nestle in and get relaxed. Usually, there will be one large piece, like a gently worn armoire, complimented by smaller items such as a table and ladderback chair, storage trunk, or bookcases. Seating is casual, with antique upholstered chairs often mixed with a comfy, more contemporary sofa.

You could reconstruct this look by selecting a large, soft sofa in a warm color. You can cover an existing sofa with a plain slipcover, and drape quilts or throws on the top. Fill the sofa with comfy throw pillows which have French country decor motifs, like bumblebees or toile. Polished, stained or whitewashed wooden frame chairs, with complimentary fabrics, put in additional seating. Add a rustic, low coffee table or an ottoman, and a slightly traditional cabinet, armoire or buffet.

Floors
Wall to wall carpeting is usually not observed in French country decorating. Floors are generally wood, stone or natural tile. A mixture of old, new, patterned and plain rugs add warmth to the floors and facilitate to define the space. If you do need a large rug or carpet, pick one made from natural material such as sisal or coir.

Accessories
Wrought iron chandeliers and lamps add rustic light. Aged items, such as old trunks, could be used as decorative items or as side tables. A large, ornate mirror, hung opposite the window, will reflect the outdoor light into the room and create a sense of space. Traditional garden tools, colorful earthenware pottery, candles, wooden roosters, sunflowers and books fill the shelves and add interest. French country decor evokes the things you would notice while wandering through Provence, hence consider natural materials and outdoor designs.

Most of all, French country decorating is rustic, warm and homely, with relaxation and family comfort in mind. An assorted combination of old and new, attractive and plain, neutral and bright tones and natural textures all combine to create a family room which appears casually graceful and is the ideal background to both curl up and read a book, and entertain family and friends. Relax with it!