French kitchen design has been a favorite among people looking to build extravagant and beautiful cooking areas for many decades – perhaps centuries. Ever since regional chateau owners invested in their food preparation quarters, everyone else has wanted to follow in their footsteps.
French kitchen design is popular and timeless, allowing it to suit virtually any home style. It combines elegance, charm, and rustic appeal in a way few other design concepts ever manage.
If you’re considering French kitchen concepts, this post is for you. We unearth and disentangle the history of French kitchen design, its essential elements, and the benefits you can expect if you install one.
History Of French Kitchen Design
The history of French kitchen design is extensive and reflects the extreme cultural and political changes during the country’s history. Kitchens first evolved to cater to French cuisine – among the most advanced and sophisticated in the world. Later, they became e;ite status symbols, with the most extensive providing work for dozens of chefs.
In the medieval era, the nobility owned kitchens staffed by peasants and servants. Most were dark, smoky, and crowded, with cooking occurring over an open fireplace, separate from the rest of the home. Chefs used salt and spices sparingly, as these ingredients were rare.
During the 17th and 18th centuries, French-style kitchens became more refined and sophisticated. Influences from Renaissance Italy and the publication of cookbooks documenting various cooking techniques caused kitchens to become more organized and functional. Cooks began cooking with copper pots and a wider variety of methods, including boiling, roasting, and baking.
In the 19th century, French cuisine reached new heights of sophistication and innovation thanks to leading chefs such as Marie-Antoine Carême and Auguste Escoffier. These innovators developed sauces, soups, pastries, and desserts, as well as new ways of presenting food, requiring radically different kitchen setups and new appliances.
Essential Elements Of French Kitchen Design
French kitchen designers obey several basic principles to achieve the look they want. The goal is to create a kitchen that balances refined details with rustic elements, combining beauty and functionality.
- Natural materials and textures. French kitchen concepts focus on making ample use of stone, wood, and brick to add depth and character. Spaces are warm and inviting, encouraging communal dining and family gatherings.
- Soft colors and patterns. French kitchen concepts eschew bright shades and vibrant decorations. Designs typically choose gray, beige, or pastel-hue palettes, only adding green, red, and yellow accents sparingly.
- Vintage and antique pieces. French kitchens also play host to vintage pieces with a distressed or antique look, including iron skillets, copper pots, ceramic dishes, and wooden spoons.
- Open shelving. French kitchens display crockery and cookware openly instead of hiding them in cabinets. This approach helps to make the kitchen feel more spacious and functional.
- Farmhouse sink and faucet. Lastly, French kitchens use classic features you might find on a working farm, such as a large sink and faucet.
Combining most or all of these essential elements will usually yield a French-style kitchen. You don’t have to stick to this exact format, but following most of them should help you get the aesthetic you want.
The Benefits Of French Kitchen Design
The benefits of French kitchen design are considerable.
- Aesthetic appeal – People widely regard French kitchens as being among the most beautiful globally
- Versatile – French kitchens are working kitchens, adapting to your lifestyle and guests
- Practical – French kitchens offer ample storage and countertop space, and room for appliances, making cooking easier and more convenient
French Kitchen Pictures And Concepts
Below, we present some French kitchen pictures, a short description of each concept, and how to implement it in your home.
Rustic French-Style Copper Range Hood
This aged and distressed copper range hood is ideal for any French kitchen. The distinctively Francophone style harks back to the middle ages!
Open Shelving And Natural Wood Cabinets
This French-style kitchen makes ample use of natural materials to achieve a rustic look. Everything from the copper range hood to the hardwood cupboard and marble countertops screams farmhouse design.
Modernized Kitchen With Chopping Block
Finally, this French-style kitchen uses a more modern style but remains faithful to its heritage. The addition of the chopping block in the center gives the room a practical feel.
Now You’re Ready To Install A French Kitchen
Now you understand French kitchens, you are ready to install yours. You can view more examples in our French kitchen gallery or use our 3-D configurator to see precisely how your design will look once complete.
