French-Influenced Design Elements

French design and style have had a profound influence on design around the world and through the years, dating all the way back to the 1800s. From the very beginning, the most essential elements needed in creating space with French-influenced design have been fine furniture and linens.

Stunning, French-influenced spaces are easy to spot and the designs are actually quite popular. Key design elements of the furniture include wood, claw feet, detailed cutout designs, and curved edges.

By adding a few French-influenced pieces, you can add a bit of elegance to any room. If the goal is create the whole space with such influence, it will be key to use specific furniture, accent pieces (think lamps, decorative sculptures/vases, etc.), fabric designs, and colors.

Defining pieces of furniture include tables, chests, and chairs with curved lines, detailed design and claw feet. What makes such pieces so elegant is their simplicity combined with attention to detail only in key places. Many people do not even realize that they have created spaces of French-influence, as they often think of the style as “vintage cozy.”

French-influenced pieces certainly do give a feeling of vintage and coziness to a room, because they are so classic and timeless.

Chairs with a lot of cushion and big arms are definitive pieces. These first became popular to accommodate the styles of the 1800s, especially women’s dresses that were big and fluffy. The large area and deep seating was popular and the style was preserved over the years.

Another popular piece is the armoire. This classic French, statement-making piece is often clean and simple, with curved lines and claw feet. Formerly used as the main place for clothing storage, armoires are now used more as a decorative piece and for extra storage.

Graphic and textile design of French influence can be clean and somewhat rigid, to complement the intricacies of the furniture and décor pieces. There are many hotels that use this in the rooms, as it has become popular and trendy in the interior design world. One beautiful example of this can be found at the Viceroy hotel in Santa Monica, California, where clean designs are featured on the walls and floors, and beautiful, intricate furniture pieces and décor are carefully placed within the space.

Take a step inside any home store and it is easy to find small pieces, large pieces, furniture, fabrics, paintings, even dishware with French influence. Adding French flair to any room, big or small, or just to one part of a room is easy and can quickly add style with very little effort.