30 Timeless French Country Kitchen Designs: Effortlessly Rustic, Elegantly Chic

Written By Ashley

Designing your dream kitchen, a crucial space in any home, starts with choosing the right style.

If you love rustic accents and traditional flair, French country kitchens offer inspiring ideas.

This charming and chic style blends elements like decorative oven hoods, classic furniture, vintage-inspired lighting, and natural materials (wood, cotton, leather) to create a space that feels both homey and elegant.

Importantly, you can achieve this look without being dated; French country easily incorporates modern, airy aesthetics suitable for today’s design trends.

Explore the inspiring ideas below.

Add a Kitchen Sink Window

french country kitchen ideas sink windowPinStacy Zarin Goldberg

Give your space an airy feel and welcome the relaxing sounds of nature by installing a window near the kitchen sink.

This is a simple way to bring in light while staying true to the warm and classic feeling of a French country design.

Mix Tile and Wood

french country kitchen ideas tile and woodPinStacy Zarin Goldberg

White subway tiles and wood accents make for a kitchen that’s equal parts modern and rustic.

Use tile for the walls and wood for your shelving to bring character to a sterile space.

Keep That Brick Wall

french country kitchen ideas brick wallPinAudrey Hall

If your home comes with an interior brick wall, don’t let it ruin the design.

It brings a vintage and unique look that can enrich any modern decor.

Opt for Wood Countertops

french country kitchen ideas wood countertopsPinGetty/ Andreas Von Einsie

If you’re unsure how to incorporate natural materials into the kitchen, using wood for the island and countertops is an easy and visually-appealing option.

Craft a Traditional Dining Area

french country kitchen ideas wood tablePinMike Garten

Try copying this kitchen’s aesthetic, with its wide dark-painted windows, a charming dining table set and a coffered ceiling that only complement’s it’s country-like appeal.

Mix and Match Wood Tones

french country kitchen ideas white and brown woodPinAnnie Schlechter

Give your kitchen an authentic and rustic look with white-washed wood or whitewood.

Plus, the process is simple and budget-friendly.

Include Copper Accents

french country kitchen ideas copper accentsPinDavid Tsay/ Otto

Incorporate copper accents into the space —such as the lighting, sink faucet, or drawer and cabinet handles.

Hang Pots and Pans

french country kitchen ideas hang pots and pansPinVictoria Pearson

Save your cabinet space by hanging pots and pans above the kitchen island.

This will add to the space’s rustic charm — especially if they’re copper cookware.

Decorate With Vintage Artwork

french country kitchen ideas vintage artworkPinLindsay Salazar

Add antique art to the walls — similar to this look by House of Jade Interiors.

Think pastoral paintings, eye-catching mosaics and classic historical portraits.

Install a Pendant Light Over Your Sink

french country kitchen ideas pendant light over sinkPinAnnie Schlechter

While it’s not necessary to bring an abundance of light to a kitchen with a window by the sink, hanging a retro pendant can easily help you achieve a French country feel.

Design Coffered Ceilings

french country kitchen ideas coffered ceilingPinSian Richards

Coffered ceilings can give your kitchen depth, offering the appearance of sunken panels for a historic look.

Hang Candelabra-Style Chandeliers

french country kitchen ideas baroque stylingPinStacey Brandford

Design the space with baroque carved embellishments — such as these candelabra chandeliers — for a memorable and elegant aesthetic.

Weave in Green

french country kitchen ideas soft green colorPinJane Beiles

Kelly Mittleman and architect Mark Finlay designed this quaint Connecticut country kitchen with a stylish shade of green that matches the wood tones and creamy whites featured throughout the room.

Embrace Arched Ceilings

french country kitchen ideas arched ceilingPinAnnie Schlechter

While many may choose to vault their ceiling in the family or great room, opt to do it in your kitchen instead.

Try a Traditional Range Hood

french country kitchen ideas traditional hood ovenPinThomas Kuoh

Range hoods not only add light above your stove, but they also add to the kitchen’s welcoming atmosphere for family and guests.

Add Rustic Bar Stools

french country kitchen ideas slight rustic touchesPinJason Hartog

If you can’t decide what kitchen island seating to choose, try round wood counter stools.

They provide the perfect amount of contrast to white decor.

Consider a Star and Cross Floor Design

french country kitchen ideas rustic accentsPinAdd Rustic Accents

There is something unique and historic about a star and cross patterned floor.

Play up your kitchen’s French country appeal by balancing the look with an oversized kitchen island in a rich wood tone.

Incorporate a Vintage Rug

french country kitchen ideas vintage rugPinMonica Wang

Rugs can create an intimate and cozy feel to any space — the kitchen included.

The right one, especially an antique design, can add a rustic touch to modern decor.

Set Up a Country-Style Stove

french country kitchen ideas antique lightingPinLaura Moss

A ceiling isn’t the only spot that can boast an arch.

Consider an arched stove for an instant focal point.

Design With an All-White Look

french country kitchen ideas full whitePinCourtesy of Benjamin More/ John Bessler

A creamy white interior enhances any style you’re trying to replicate.

It’s a simple way to make a design scheme feel light and airy.

Store Your Books in Your Island

french country kitchen ideas island bookshelvesPinLisa Romerein

Using your island’s shelving for books gives the kitchen a homey feel.

Plus, it’s guaranteed to make the space a favorite spot for family and guests.

Add Pops of Color

french country kitchen ideas pops of colorPinGridley Graves

Believe it or not, French country-inspired kitchens can be full of rich and bright hues.

While the rest of the space may have traditional details that represent the aesthetic, don’t be afraid to drop in pops of color.

Display Nature

french country kitchen ideas display naturePinLina Ostling/Folio

This style is all about natural elements, and nothing is more natural than florals and greenery from your backyard.

Decorate your kitchen with all of your favorite blooms and plants to pull your kitchen together.

Get Creative with the Backsplash

french country kitchen ideas creative backsplashPinLisa Romerein

Create a striking focal point with your kitchen backsplash.

Think natural stone additions, like marble or slate, for a traditional look.

Install Antique Lighting

french country kitchen ideas antique lightingPinLauren Rubenstein

Go for a pendant light that’s elegant and relaxed enough to fit the space.

We’re thinking Persian white wall sconces and fixtures with bell-shaped shades.

Use a China Cabinet

french country kitchen ideas china cabinetPinEric Roth

Adding your china cabinet to the kitchen is a no-fail design choice.

Fill it with books and an array of your favorite accents to give the cooking area a living room-like feel.

Welcome the Outdoors

french country kitchen ideas outdoorsPinArnt Haug/Look-foto/Getty Images

If an outdoor kitchen isn’t part of your setup, show off the door leading to your backyard.

You can never have too much sunlight and fresh air.

Install a Sliding Ladder

french country kitchen ideas ladderPinStacy Zarin Goldberg

Boost your kitchen’s visual appeal with a shelved section for your cookware and spices.

Install a wood ladder (similar to the ones used at libraries) for easy grabbing.

Arrange Woven Seating

french country kitchen ideas rattan or wicker chairsPinAbby Murphy

Rattan or wicker seating isn’t just for the outdoors.

Test the trend with kitchen island stools that warm up a predominantly white space.

Think Monochrome

french country kitchen ideas blue palettePinMiki Duisterhof

Take a cue from this kitchen and embrace a monochromatic look.

This calming shade of blue is the perfect counterpoint to the blonde wood countertops.

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