French provincial bedroom design

There is a very soft, feminine quality to the French provincial bedroom 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-style bedroom furniture, it's all about curves, says Jean-Christophe Burckhardt from Christophe Living. "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."

Colour

Colour is very important to the French provincial bedroom 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."

Bed frames

When decorating in a French provincial bedroom 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

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.

Lighting

Jean-Christophe emphasises the importance of good lighting to this style. "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 provincial bedroom, start with a few good-quality pieces. "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."