How to Give Your Home A Parisian-style Makeover
Paris has always been considered the center of all things, fashion, and style. Its residents are praised continuously for dressing well and achieving an effortless sense of elegance. Not only does Paris excel at fashion, but also at interior design. The Parisian style has perfected curatorial art skills so that every room in the house is chic and timeless. If you are currently renovating or redecorating your space, you should definitely consider following this aesthetic to create a stunning environment. Keep on reading to find out exactly how to give your home a Parisian-style makeover!
Focus on the Architecture
Parisian style always appreciates the architecture within a house. They choose to accentuate the bones of the house and keep the character, rather than strip the entire thing down and renovate. Focus on the details within your home that make it unique–perhaps you have high ceilings or exciting tile work. These features are what make a space beautiful, and Parisian interior design is all about melding together old and new. Don’t just tear everything apart so that it looks shiny and brand-new; otherwise, you’ll destroy its personality.
Appreciate Antiques
Parisians love a good antique–their homes are filled with them! When you makeover your home, hit up flea markets and secondhand stores to see if you can find any antiques that catch your eye. The home should feel lived in and used, so worn furniture is a great accessory to capture that feeling. Never buy all of your furniture from the same store and in the same style. Having a house that is full of new items can make it feel sterile and lackluster. The Parisian interior design prioritizes sustainability and inexpensive styling. Antique shopping is a great way to find something beautiful as well as help the earth and your budget at the same time.
Mix and Match
There are no set rules for Parisian interior design. In fact, they encourage you to pick and choose styles that appeal to you, regardless of whether they are “supposed” to go together. If you find a piece of furniture that is Victorian, there is no reason it cannot be paired with something modern. A Parisian-styled home is one that is curated specifically for the owner–whatever speaks to you and makes you happy is what should belong in your space. Be creative and break some rules by mixing together different mediums, textures, colors, and time periods.
Avoid Staging
A trend within western households is to stage furniture and accessories so that it always looks perfect and beautiful. If you want to give your home a Parisian makeover, avoid staging at all costs. Your house should look lived-in and natural. You can organize your bookshelves in an aesthetic manner, but it should still be full of books that you actually read. Everything in your home should be usable; otherwise, it is just for show and ends up being clutter. Focus on what comforts you and brings you joy, not how you think your coffee table should be accessorized.
Neutral Colors
There should be no bright pops of color or patterns in a Parisian-styled home. Instead, choose a neutral palette and let the shapes and character of the decor do the talking. The focus should be more on the architecture, lines, textures, and materials. Neutral colors bring warmth to space and pair well with a lot of natural light, another important factor in Parisian design. Don’t just stick with all one shade of white, though. Choose varying shades of white, ivory, cream, brown, red, and black. Avoid neons, pastels, or overly dark themes.
Classic Accessories
Nothing screams “Parisian” more than timeless accessories. Dramatic, thick drapes that hit the floor; crystal, ornate chandeliers; large, gold-rimmed mirrors above the fireplace. These classic additions immediately give the space a feel of Paris. The other pieces that you select for your rooms should be elegant and chic. Parisians follow a simple formula for design: they choose only a few accessories and make sure the space looks clean and tailored. The west usually enjoys over-accessorizing and having every space filled, but you should avoid this practice if you want a Parisian-style makeover.
Style and design in Paris use neutral colors as the base to showcase the brilliance of their textures and materials. They enjoy a sense of comfort and a natural living environment. Everything in the home should resonate with you and be of some use; it should never just be there as a random decoration. Create a warm environment that is based on the style and pieces that you personally enjoy, and you will be well on your way to achieving a Parisian-styled home.
