How to decorate your Apartment like a Parisian
Walking around Paris, it is impossible not to notice the gorgeous apartment buildings. The style is so unique, and breathtaking, it’s easy to fall in love with the beauty of the city. With that being said, today, we are going to be taking a closer look at the most popular Parisian style Apartments, tips and tricks for achieving the ultimate Parisian home, how to decorate your apartment like a Parisian, and where to buy Parisian style furniture!
Types of Paris Apartment Styles
There are several different apartment styles in Paris, France, with the most popular being the Haussmann Style. These 19th Century buildings are often referred to as quintessential Parisian architecture. There are over 40,000 Haussmann buildings in the city, which makes up over 60% of all Paris real estate.
Haussmann's architecture is known for its: stone facades, 45 degree angled roofs, French double door windows, balconies on the 2nd and 4th floor, soaring high ceilings, and hardwood herringbone pattern interior flooring. Many people would describe investing in a Parisian Haussmann style apartment as buying a little black dress; timeless, elegant, and never goes out of style.
Tips for Decorating your Apartment like a Parisian
White paint, Wall Moldings, and Artwork
Almost every Parisian apartment I’ve been in has had classic white walls. Sometimes you’ll see pure white, while other times you will see more cream, but at the end of the day you’ll mainly see white walls. The reason for the white paint, is because it really helps open up small spaces and makes it appear grander.
The second thing you’ll see is wall moldings also known as wainscoting. Wainscoting is extremely popular in Parisian apartments because it gives off an elegant vibe. I highly recommend adding wainscoting to any house or apartment if you are looking for that Parisian chic look.
In addition to the white walls and wall moldings, you should add simple yet elegant artwork to your walls. Personally, I love this Betido Embossed Picture Wall Decor, Wrigley Framed Digital Print, and Golden Blue II Hand Painted Canvas Print. Each one of these would make a great addition to your apartment.
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A Gold Mirror is a Must!
One of the biggest staple pieces in a Paris Apartment is a gold mirror. If you are visiting Paris and staying in an Airbnb, 9 times out of 10 you will see at least 1 gold gilded mirror hanging on the wall. In our Paris apartment, we had the antique 19th century golden mirrors in every room. While it looked breathtaking, it wasn’t practical because the mirrors were so foggy due to its age.
If you are going to add this as an addition to your home or apartment, then I definitely recommend purchasing a new one over an antique. A gold mirror is chic and timeless for giving your home that French look. I found so many incredible Gold mirrors that would be perfect for your home.
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Minimalistic Furniture Style – Less is More
The French live by the saying, less is more when it comes to furniture. They tend to focus on minimalist, simple designs. They only purchase items that are necessary and will last for years to come. With that being said, above is a photo of contemporary furniture that would be the perfect addition to your apartment.
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Marble Fireplace
While many French homes and apartments have a marble fireplace, you might be surprised to learn that these fireplaces don’t actually work and are for show only. If you are wanting that French white marble type look, then I definitely recommend that you get a fireplace mantel with an electric fireplace inside. This is a more practical way to achieve the French white marble fireplace.
Fully Stocked Kitchen
Parisians love to eat and drink wine! No Parisian apartment would be complete without a set of high quality wine glasses, a cutting board for charcuterie, serving dishes, and minimalist white plates. If you are looking for high quality cooking essentials, I definitely recommend checking out Our Place.
Living in Paris, I threw endless dinner parties, have people over and enjoyed the night away! Even if you don't have a big dining room, you can simply throw together a bunch of food and sit around a small kitchen table or even hang out in the living room!
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Where to buy Parisian Furniture in Europe?
Ahh, the question of the day, you love the Parisian Furniture and Parisian style decor but not sure where to purchase it. Well it’s simple, if you are looking to invest in high quality elegant Parisian Furniture in Europe, then you must shop at Westwing Collection products at WestwingNow. The WestwingNow is the ultimate go to spot for those who live in Europe looking for chic high-end furniture with a French Flair!
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Recap on how to Decorate your Apartment like a Parisian
In short, if you are looking to style your apartment like a Parisian, you will need a few things:
- White paint, Wall Moldings, and Minimalistic Artwork
- A fully stocked kitchen
- White Marble Fireplace
- Simple yet Modern furniture pieces, which includes accent chairs, armchairs,
- A Gold mirror
Don’t forget to always have a good bottle of wine and cheese in your fridge. This essential detail is a must for your Parisian style apartment! If you are curious on how to dress like a Parisian and the French Woman, simply check out this article.
Sincerely Petite in Paris,
Diane
