French bedroom style is always chic

The French provincial bedroom decor style is light and soft, using the colours of France in a way that works well with the Australian light. Discover how to create a French bedroom in your own home.

There is a very soft, feminine quality to the French provincial style, which lends itself perfectly to our more intimate spaces. And with a range of reproduction pieces now on the market, creating a French bedroom has never been easier.

When it comes to French bedroom furniture, it's all about curves, says Jean-Christophe Burckhardt from Christophe Living in Woollhara. "The use of cabriolet legs and carved shapes, often with asymmetrical curves and painted finishes, can be quite sensual and soft," he says. "It's very different to heavier Victorian and Edwardian styles."

Choosing the right bedroom colours

Colour is very important to the French provincial look, originally drawing inspiration from the French countryside. "The style makes use of whitewashes, blues, ochre, yellow and greens," says Jean-Christophe. "Because Australia is very sunlit, these colours work well here."

When decorating a bedroom in the French style, choose sleigh beds with wooden frames and upholstered bedheads in gorgeous fabrics, salon chairs and Louis stools. French doors and sheer curtains with tie-backs are also signifiers of this style.

Bed linen to increase the visual appeal

For bed linen, think whites and toiles, beautiful fabrics that often use motifs from nature. Furniture in the French style should have an antique finish, either wooden or whitewashed for an aged appearance.

Jean-Christophe emphasises the importance of good lighting in achieving a French bedroom look. "It's absolutely vital," he adds. "You need two or three types of light, and it must be a warm tone. Chandeliers are better than downlights, as they provide upward light, which reflects back from the ceiling."

Lamps are also a staple of the style, and with a cream or gold colour inside the lampshade, they can help to create a warm light. But one of the most important items, according to Jean-Christophe, is the humble dimmer switch. "These are essential!" he says.

When setting up a French-style bedroom, start with a few good-quality pieces of reproduction French bedroom furniture. "Look for reproduction pieces from France or Italy," advises Jean-Christophe. "There's quite a lot coming out of Asia, but they can often be a bit thick and rough."

To achieve the soft, feminine look of French provincial bedroom style in your home, find an interior decorator in your area: