For most of us, watching Emily in Paris is the closest we’re going to come to living in Paris, or the City of Lights. No matter where you live, though, you can introduce a little French chic and Parisian style into your kitchen. Here are some Parisian interior design tips for doing just that, plus some ideas for accessories to buy for your French style kitchen.
Key elements of Paris kitchen decor
Apartments in Paris are often limited in space and the kitchen is no exception. However, even the smallest of spaces can ooze French style and Paris kitchens are renowned for their clever use of space and je ne sais quoi, alongside a seemingly effortless style. If you want to emulate this home decor look in your home, there are some classic design elements of Paris kitchen decor that you need to take on board.
The ‘Café Layer’ Technique: How to Make Your Kitchen Feel Like a Parisian Bistro Without Renovation
Most Paris kitchen guides focus on what to buy, but the real secret Parisians use is layering their kitchens with “café zones” that create intimate, functional spaces within the larger room.
The Three Essential Café Zones
The Morning Zone – A dedicated corner with your coffee setup, fresh pastries display (even if it’s just a cake stand), and a small radio or speaker for French music. Position this near natural light with a bistro stool.
The Prep Zone – Transform your main counter into a chef’s station using a marble or wooden cutting board as a permanent fixture, keeping copper pots visible on hooks, fresh herbs in small pots, and a wine bottle with a pourspout ready.
The Social Zone – Even the tiniest kitchen needs a perching spot. A fold-down shelf with two vintage stools, or a narrow console table against the wall with café chairs creates that essential French gathering point.
The Secret Layering Formula – Each zone needs exactly three elements: one functional piece + one vintage accent + one fresh element (flowers, fruit, or herbs). This 3-element rule prevents clutter while maintaining that effortless Parisian abundance.
Colour scheme
Parisian kitchens blend relatively neutral base colours with mid to dark accent colours to create a sense of French flair. For example, neutral colours such as off white, putty grey or cream are a good base layer, whilst medium blue, indigo blue or even black are good French country style accent colours. The same accent colour doesn’t have to be used across the entire kitchen – you can create a more casual feel by using a mix of several tonal colours, such as shades of blue.
The Parisian ‘Imperfect Perfect’ Color Matching System
Unlike modern kitchens that demand exact color matches, authentic Parisian style uses a sophisticated “tonal drift” approach that actually makes spaces feel more expensive and curated.
How Tonal Drift Works
Instead of matching everything to one exact shade of blue or grey, Parisians select 3-4 shades within the same color family and distribute them strategically:
Anchor Shade – Your darkest tone (like indigo) goes on lower cabinets or the island
Mid Tone – A medium shade (like French blue) appears on upper cabinets or open shelving
Whisper Shade – Your lightest version (like powder blue) shows up in textiles, crockery, or small accents
Neutral Bridge – Cream or putty grey connects all the blues together
This creates visual movement and prevents the “showroom” effect that makes kitchens feel sterile. Your eye travels naturally through the space instead of landing on harsh contrasts.
The Application Secret: The tonal drift only works if you keep metallics consistent (all gold OR all brass, never mixed) and ensure your neutrals never compete with your color story.
Kitchen style
The perfect Parisian kitchen has a timeless style to it. It looks right at home in the heart of the city, but would work equally well as a French country kitchen, in a cottage or chateau in the depths of the French countryside. It blends old and new styles and aspects such as open shelves, copper pots and wooden wine racks, with bistro chairs, stylish appliances and contemporary light fittings.
Shaker style kitchen cabinets and cupboards, with their characteristic flat centre panels and minimalistic look, are ideal to create a sense of French kitchen charm. The French love the social aspect of dining, so dining table in the kitchen, or easy access to a dining room, helps carry that sense of Parisian style.
Introduce gold or brass accents
Gold or antique brass is the only colour for anyone wanting to transport the atmosphere of their kitchen into the heart of Paris. Handles, taps and accessories can be gold-coloured and polished to bring a true sense of refined luxury to your kitchen space.
Match crockery with your colour scheme
Forget mismatched crockery, if you want to emulate the Parisian chic, your crockery should match the overall colour theme of your kitchen. Think crockery in neutral colours, such as soft grey, cream or pale blue. Look for a hardworking everyday style which will take you from morning breakfast pastry to an evening soiree effortlessly, and mix it up with a few chic accessories.
Decorate your kitchen with artwork
Add some artwork to transport you to the heart of Paris. Photo (c) Wren Kitchens
Why not bring some of the famous Paris art scene into your kitchen to liven up your walls? From images of natural beauty to incredible architecture – French art will make your kitchen memorable to guests whilst transporting you to the streets of Paris every time you cook.
Let your appliances blend in
Having stylish appliances is a must if you want to stay in keeping with the Parisian aesthetic, but they must be as neutral as possible. Try to opt for neutral toasters, kettles, and pans which won’t distract from the overall aesthetic and, where possible, integrated appliances that will blend in with the design.
Get clever with storage
Kitchens in Paris are often short on space, but use ingenious hacks to make the most of every nook and cranny. Some of the tricks to takeaway from French kitchen designers are built-in dressers designed to look like standalone pieces, concealed storage cupboards, a little breakfast nook and every last space utilised.
You could even emulate the style of Parisian cafes by using overhead storage solutions, like traditional pot and pan storage, metal wine glass storage or racks for drying herbs.
Choose chic accessories
Any Parisian kitchen worth its weight in gold has a good dash of chic accessories. From subtle chandelier pendant lights or eye-catching wall décor, to a white vase or jug of fresh flowers on the table, some well chosen accessories helps bring the overall room together.
You might not be able to stroll down to your local fleuriste swinging an artisan basket over your arm, but picking up a bouquet when you do the weekly shop will do just as well. Flowers in the winter are an especially welcome treat, lifting your spirits and freshening up the kitchen.
The ‘Overhead Luxury’ Principle: Why Parisians Store Their Most Beautiful Items at Eye Level
Small Parisian kitchens have mastered something American kitchens miss entirely: the strategic use of overhead space not just for storage, but for displaying items that make the room feel luxurious.
What Goes Up vs. What Stays Down
Overhead (Eye Level to Ceiling):
• Wine glasses hanging from metal racks
• Copper pots and pans on ceiling hooks
• Herb drying racks with fresh lavender, thyme, rosemary
• Decorative plates displayed on plate rails
• Woven baskets for bread storage
Counter Level (Keep Clear):
• Only 2-3 items maximum: flowers, fruit bowl, or coffee setup
• Everything else gets stored away
Lower Level (Hidden):
• All appliances except the stove
• Mismatched items, plastic containers, cleaning supplies
The psychology is brilliant: when your most beautiful possessions live at eye level, the room feels twice as large and infinitely more expensive because you’re not scanning downward to cluttered counters.
The Installation Trick: Use the “champagne glass test” – if you can’t safely walk under your overhead storage while holding a full champagne glass at chest height, it’s hung too low. Proper overhead storage sits at least 6.5 feet from the floor.
The Essential Elements Checklist for Parisian Kitchen Design
| Design Element | Purpose | Non-Negotiable Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Shaker Cabinets | Timeless French aesthetic | Flat center panels |
| Gold/Brass Hardware | Refined luxury | Consistent finish throughout |
| Neutral Crockery | Cohesive visual flow | Matching color theme |
| Fresh Flowers | Living focal point | Weekly rotation |
| Dining Space | Social connection | In or adjacent to kitchen |
Best buys to help you achieve a Paris theme kitchen
Keen to get these Parisian kitchen ideas into action in your home? Here are some ideas for the best French-inspired kitchen buys to help you create perfect harmony in your kitchen.
Budget Allocation Guide for Parisian Kitchen Transformation
| Category | Investment Priority | Approximate Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware (Handles & Taps) | High – Most visible impact | £150-£400 |
| Paint & Color Updates | High – Foundation element | £50-£200 |
| Copper Cookware | Medium – Display & function | £100-£300 |
| Art & Décor | Medium – Character building | £50-£150 |
| Crockery & Accessories | Low – Gradual collection | £30-£100 |
Abstract Paris art print, Abstract House
Abstract Paris art print, Abstract House
A beautiful abstract expressionist view of the Eiffel Tower, the iconic Paris landmark. Experience the heart of France’s capital and its luscious green landscapes on a beautiful grey day. Available in different sizes, this print comes framed in your choice of frame colours. Prices start at £53, available from Abstract House.
Metal hanging wine glass rack, Wayfair
Store your wine glasses overhead in a hanging wine glass rack. This one is the Tobin rack by Symple Stuff and it’s available from Wayfair.
Paris print, Rocket Jack
Paris print, Rocket Jack
This Paris travel poster featuring the Eiffel Tower can be customised with the text of your choice creating the perfect memory of a special time or event. It’s available in different sizes and prices start at £24 from Rocket Jack.
Paris grey paint, Annie Sloan
Paris grey paint, Annie Sloan
Soft, gentle Paris Grey is a Chalk Paint™ colour inspired by the painted furniture found in elegant French châteaux or old Swedish manor houses and is the perfect Parisian colour for your kitchen walls. It’s made from a mix of blue and orange, so it works naturally well with these complementary colours. Prices start at £4.95 for a 120ml test pot, available from Annie Sloan.
Copper pans, John Lewis
Cook like a French chef with this Tri-Ply stainless steel three piece copper saucepan set with lids. £190 from John Lewis.
Cafe de Paris ‘Chocolat Chaud’ mug, Rex London
Cafe de Paris ‘Chocolat Chaud’ mug, Rex London
Add a Parisian flair to your next hot chocolate with this ceramic mug, inspired by retro Parisian café branding. £4.99, available from Rex London.
‘Take me to Paris’ coffee cup, Sisi
‘Take me to Paris’ coffee cup, Sisi
Add a splash of colour to your home with these prettystackable coffee cups. Gloss glaze in a light peach colour with a white decal inscription ‘Take Me to Paris.’
Dishwasher safe, they’re available from Wild Vanilla Studios, £14 each.
Main image (c) 2023 Wren Kitchens
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