12 French interior decorating hacks that turn small Parisian apartments into true works of art

The image of France is usually associated with croissants, the Eiffel Tower and a sophisticated lifestyle. But we cannot forget the Parisian apartments that the French manage to transform into true works of art. Fortunately, you don’t have to live in Paris to appreciate the charm of French interior decor.

we, from awesome.clubwe found out which interior design rules you need to follow in order to transform a small apartment into a charming and cozy environment.

An empty wall can make the environment dull. The French love antiques and artwork and use them not only to show off their taste, but as an integral part of apartment decor as well. Mirrors of different sizes reflect the surrounding environment, making it visually larger. Paintings in different frames, gathered in one place, turn a simple wall into a highlight area.

In a small apartment, the largest footage is used for the main room, which means the bathroom will be tiny. And that’s your advantage. In a small space, you can bet on a luxurious finish, as you won’t need large amounts of material and expenses will be lower. For example, it could be marble cladding or a sophisticated sink.

In a small apartment (in fact, as in any other), the temptation is to fill every corner of the house with furniture to make the most of the space. However, an open area makes the room more airy and creates the feeling of a larger environment.

This point derives from the previous one. It will be better to opt for furniture with a dual function. For example, a sofa that turns into a place to sleep frees up a large area and solves the problem of lack of space for a bed. Or a countertop in the kitchen, which can serve as both a support in preparing meals, as well as a place to eat.

Ordinary doors hinder circulation and need a lot of space to open. They also add visual “weight” to the room. For a more practical room division, the ideal solution is the installation of sliding doors.

One of the biggest challenges for those who live in a compact apartment is finding space to store things. Choose a closet that matches the color of the bedroom walls, which won’t look bulky and heavy. You can also install shelves on the walls next to the bed to ensure greater functionality with minimal clutter, or opt for a sofa with drawers. All your things will be kept without interfering with the integrity of the environment.

In Parisian apartments, the space can be divided by recesses in the walls. It can be the fireplace area or a niche. To give depth and visually expand the space, these areas can be painted in a stronger tone, for example, dark green.
In addition, the dark color can be a great tool to create distinct spaces when it is not possible to divide the room with walls or furniture.

Mirrors, light colors, large windows and different lamps can do wonders to expand the space. The ideal solution for a small room is to use neutral colors on the walls and mirrors, opposite the window, to reflect sunlight. This combination immediately makes the room brighter and more spacious.

In addition to taking up less space, round or oval tables also help to avoid domestic accidents that can occur in small apartments. These tables have no corners to bump into and even get hurt. Unlike square options, whose corners can interfere with installing additional chairs, round tables are flexible to accommodate more people. In addition, they can be placed anywhere in the apartment.

The main idea is to guarantee the feeling of continuity of space, giving harmony to the environment. If in a small apartment there is a different floor covering in each room, the property will look even smaller (especially if the different areas are not separated by doors). A single finishing material for the entire house, on the contrary, will create harmony and balance.

Another design trick the French use: floor-to-ceiling curtains. Not only do they add a vintage feel, they make the windows look much larger.

Sconces take up less space than floor lamps and are more delicate than bulky ceiling chandeliers. In addition, several can be turned on at once, depending on the amount of light needed at a given time (which, by the way, also saves energy).

And you, have you used some French-style interior decorating tricks in your home? Tell us in the comments!