Provencal Style – Interiors, Decor, Furniture, and Accessories

The Provencal style emerged from artistic, idealized visions of Provence. It combines a distinctly French sense of taste and elegance. Expand your knowledge of the Provençal style and find inspiration for a beautiful home or apartment design!

Provence is a region in southeastern France, encompassing both part of the French Alps and the French Riviera. The Mediterranean climate, mountainous landscapes, and peaceful villages with fields of lavender stretching to the horizon create a wonderful impression. The Provençal style is therefore inextricably linked to finding joy in the smallest details. Interiors decorated in this style are meant to provide residents and guests with comfort and the warmth of a home, just like a stay in the French countryside. However, it is not a simple copy of the rural landscapes found there. The Provençal style also draws heavily on the elegant chic of aristocratic palaces.

White, lavender, nature, and tradition. The key features of the Provençal style

Each interior design is a unique project tailored to the tastes and needs of the household. Some people stick to a single aesthetic code, while others boldly experiment and combine vastly different ideas. The Provençal style itself is also subject to many variations. The most common elements are:

simplicity taking precedence over decorative accents;
structural elements and furniture made entirely of natural materials;
a predominantly light, pastel color scheme throughout the interior;
furnishings consisting of antiques or intentionally distressed, stylized pieces;
numerous decorations and ornaments, often with floral motifs;
a distinct presence of plants—fresh flowers and Provençal herbs.

Wooden floors, stone walls, and decorative fabrics

Houses typical of southern France are built of stone, whitewashed brick, and wood. Also characteristic are large beams supporting the ceiling, wooden shutters, and light, often colorful doors with glass panels. These are the basic materials used to create Provencal-style interiors and furniture. So you have quite a wide selection. From panels and planks, through various types of stone and brick, to special types of tiles or architectural concrete. To keep the style as close to Provençal as possible, choose building materials in soft, whitewashed colors.

Pastel colors help create the idyllic atmosphere of southern France

Provence is often associated with vast fields of lavender—and rightly so—although white is the predominant color in Provençal-style architecture. The dominant colors are meant to evoke the sun illuminating this peaceful land and its warming glow. The light colors most commonly used in the Provençal style are primarily:

creamy, slightly muted shades of white;
rich beige;
light yellow;
pastel purples, reminiscent of lavender;
sky blue;
a slightly faded orange-brown (reddish-brown);
delicate greens.

Distressed furniture and accessories typical of the Provencal style

Genuine solid wood should dominate the room’s furnishings. When decorating in the Provençal style, look for items such as a carved sideboard or chest of drawers. Remember that all rustic furniture goes very well with the Provençal style. It’s impossible to create a cozy, family-friendly atmosphere without well-chosen decorations. Provençal-style decorations are also as natural as possible. The best examples include:

ceramic pots and planters filled with fragrant basil, oregano, or thyme;
a stone fireplace (or a replica);
wicker baskets for bread and fresh fruit;
decorative yet practical ceramics;
tablecloths, bedspreads, sheers, curtains, or decorative wall hangings made of linen, cretonne, cotton, or canvas;
lavender-scented candles;
distressed picture frames;
a wrought-iron chandelier.

The Provencal Style at Home. Ideas for Creating Cozy Provencal Interiors

How can you put all this into practice? Interior designers have plenty of ideas for this. It’s impossible to say definitively which ones are the most successful. You can incorporate the Provencal style into your interiors in many different ways. Here are a few interesting inspirations.

A Provencal-Style Living Room

The centerpiece of the room will be a natural stone fireplace. This is where family members will gather during evenings spent together. Top off the sofas and armchairs with pillows or a throw. There will also be room in the center for a natural wood coffee table. On the sideboard against the wall, you can place a decorative vase with dried herbs, as well as decorative porcelain and personal mementos. The floor of a Provencal-style living room should be wooden, covered, for example, with a woven rug. It’s a good idea to top it all off with whitewashed ceiling beams.

A Provencal-Style Kitchen

Shared meals bring family members closest together. It’s during meals that the most important conversations take place and emotional bonds are strengthened. Just as in the south of France, the kitchen/dining room in a Provencal-style home will become the heart of the household. Opt for light, bright, wooden furniture characteristic of that region’s interiors. The table and chairs are, of course, the most important elements. The table will look great with a tablecloth made of real cotton, and the chairs will benefit from woven accents. Tableware? Opt for ceramic dishes instead of plastic ones. A sturdy stone countertop is a perfect fit for the kitchen cabinet.

A Provencal-Style Bedroom

The most important piece of furniture in the bedroom is, of course, the bed. It must be large and made of wood, preferably with an ornately decorated headboard. The Provençal style often draws inspiration from the region’s characteristic olive groves and vineyards in its decor. An alternative to a wooden bed could be a bed with a metal frame—made of iron, copper, or brass. Pair it with nightstands, which don’t necessarily have to be from the same set. In a style inspired by the French countryside (and the local way of life), the right lighting arrangement is essential. Openwork lamps with colorful lampshades made of natural fabrics work perfectly here.

A Provencal-Style Bathroom

You can use terracotta tiles on the floor and walls. In the center, a large, freestanding bathtub is a must—with elegantly curved legs and a classic two-handle faucet. A stone sink will complement this perfectly. The Provencal style embraces retro aesthetics, so accessories should look as if they were taken straight from past decades. What works well here? For example, a heavily ornate frame for a large mirror, wicker laundry baskets, and ceramic mugs and soap dishes. The bathroom cabinet should naturally be white, made of wood, and feature hinged doors.

Where can you find furniture and accessories for a Provencal-style interior?

You can use both new and vintage pieces. Many manufacturers in the industry offer wooden furniture styled in the Provençal style. All you need to do is browse through catalogs or inquire about the possibility of having custom-made pieces. Many people look for Provencal-style furnishings at flea markets or in antique shops. The chances of finding attractive pieces that evoke a French atmosphere are often higher there than at a furniture store. You’ll also find suitable accessories for a Provencal-style interior by browsing online auction sites.

The Provencal style in our collection. What kind of doors should you choose for a Provencal-style home?

When thinking about interior design, doors rarely take center stage. This is a big mistake. In a home or room styled in the Provencal style, doors that match the rest of the interior are a must. For us, natural wood is essential, and French elegance is very close to our hearts. We highly recommend that you consider the following options:

the Merkury line;
the Bolzano line;
the Malaga line;
the Prestige line;
the Retro line.

You can customize any door from our selection in a wide variety of ways. Need more ideas? Check out the latest Barański Doors catalogs or ask our consultants for advice! We’d be happy to provide you with doors that are perfectly suited to your Provencal-style apartment or home. We can also create a unique door design based on your own idea!