The French Home Décor Trends Under $100 We Want to Copy

french design

Ashley Montgomery

Those with great style don't just express their personality and taste via the clothes they wear—it's also expressed in the way they decorate their homes and the objects they collect to reflect their character. That's certainly true of French girls, who often gain attention for their enviably effortless sartorial choices. Take a closer look at their Instagram accounts and you'll find much more than fashion inspiration. The women who have come to embody French-girl style—Jeanne Damas, Anne-Laure Mais, and more—also have an eye for interior decorating.

To celebrate Bastille Day, France's independence day, we turned to iconic French women to uncover the décor trends they follow for a cool yet carefully curated home. Heads up, they're all under $100.

Mix and Match Throw Pillows

Model and Rouge founder Jeanne Damas isn't just a master of mixing and matching clothes to create an outfit that looks perfectly "thrown together"—the Paris native applies the same principles to her home. Take her lead and update throw cushion covers with mismatched textural finds, such as Turkish- and Moroccan-inspired designs in rich reds and warm tones. Finish the look with a Moroccan throw rug and vintage canvas and leather furniture. 

Stone & Beam French Laundry Stripe Pillow
Stone & Beam French Laundry 12" x 24" Stripe Pillow $40.00
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Overflowing Greenery

French-girl homes tend to have an abundance of greenery. Rather than opting for structured cacti and succulents, they prefer overflowing, untamed houseplants, like tropical banana leaf plants or fiddle-leaf figs. Prop an oversize plant in the corner of a room, or line a windowsill with mismatched mini planters, and let the vines tumble down the wall or climb toward the light. 

CB2 Fan Palm
CB2 Fan Palm $25.00

Rust Tones

Earthy rust tones aren't just having a moment in the fashion world—they're also a staple in stylish French homes. If you're not ready to invest in big-ticket items like this cinnamon two-seater sofa, opt for small accessories in autumnal hues. This velvet throw cushion by CB2 marries luxurious texture and color.

CB2 23" leisure copper pillow with down-alternative insert
CB2 23" leisure copper pillow $45.00
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Clusters of Candles

Like their approach to fashion and beauty, Parisian girls tend to have a relaxed sense of style at home. This often results in rooms that look thrown together without being cluttered. Dried flowers, textural pampas grass, and a cluster of burned candles create a layered, lived-in space that oozes cool. 

Bella Freud Parfum Je T'aime Jane Scented Candle
Bella Freud Parfum Je T'Aime Jane Scented Candle $62.00
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Unstyled Bookshelves

This laid-back approach applies to styling bookshelves too. Few aspects of a home reflect your character like the books you read. Stack your favorites horizontally, rather than vertically, and top with candles and sculptural objects. 

Farid Chenoune and Florence Muller Yves Saint Laurent By Farid Chenoune And Florence Muller Handcover Book
Farid Muller and Florence Chenoune Yves Saint Laurent, Hardcover $75.00
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Vintage Bowls

The French are masters at collecting vintage wares—you'll often find antique flea market finds in their home-styled side by side with designer items. Polish Parisienne Marta Cygan has adopted this approach on her nightstand, where she's used a handpainted ceramic bowl to hold jewelry. Search for pewter trays or ceramic bowls on vintage websites like One Kings Lane or Chairish, or keep an eye out during your travels abroad. 

Heath Ceramics Dessert Bowl $26.00
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Linen Drapes

Traditional Parisian apartments have large floor-to-ceiling windows with ornate molding and often a wrought-iron facade. You don't need to move into a classic French apartment to replicate the look, though. Instead, decorate your living room and bedroom to maximize natural lighting with semi-sheer linen drapes. Belgian flax linen drapes are textural and allow the warm rays to filter the room. 

West Elm Semi-Sheer Belgian Flax Linen Dash Weave Curtain
West Elm Semi-Sheer Belgian Flax Linen Melange Curtain $129.00
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