The French Country style is based on the style of a Provence farmhouse with its exposed beams, timber wood construction and neutral color tones throughout. When you’re shopping for French Country furniture and decorations, you will need to look for pieces that evoke feelings of simplicity, European tradition and modest elegance.

Here are some tips for choosing French country style furniture for your home or apartment:

Handcarved Wood Furniture for Living and Dining Areas
Handcarved wood chairs, coffee tables, dining tables and armchairs are the basis for the French Country style home and can help to create a simplistic elegance that was common in many homes during the 19th century in the Provence countryside. Handcarved wood furniture with upholstered seat cushions and coverings are among the best picks for French Country style decorating.

Handcrafted Cabinets and Shelves
Handcrafted wooden cabinets and shelves are important for creating a traditional French Country style theme. Some of the timeless pieces you will need to keep an eye out for include handcarved boxes, buffets, small all-purpose cupboards and slat-style garden chairs or rush-seated chairs. Look for pieces of furniture from the 18th and 19th centuries so that you can recreate the look and feel of a traditional Provence home.

Mahogany Armoires
The armoire is a common trait of many homes decorated in the French Country style and these can be placed in the dining area, living room, and even the foyer. Look for hand carved pieces that contain flower, bird and leaf designs for the ideal French Country home look.

Motif Tables for the Foyer and Living Spaces
Hand carved French fleur or round tables are another common element of the French Country home. These small tables can be used as side tables or to decorate the patio area. The small, three-legged tables almost look like stools and can be decorated with a small vase of flowers, books or other keepsakes (no tablecloths).

Mirrored Room Dividers for Bedrooms and Living Spaces
A simple room divider can create more space in small quarters and plays an important role in the French Country style home. A mirrored room divider made with a light-colored hand carved wood is a great fit for the bedroom, living space or any other area of the home that demands more space.

Wrought Iron Bedstands for the Bedroom
Wrought iron is a signature theme of all French country-style homes, cottages and estates, and the bed stand is typically designed in or accented with this common material. Wrought iron may also appear in side tables and chairs in the bedroom, and is a simple, elegant touch for your French Country home.

Whether you’re decorating the bedroom, dining room, or another living space in the French Country style, you’ll need to select some special pieces of furniture and accents to create a Provence-inspired look.