French Country Paint Colour Palette

Evoke the rustic chic glamour of French country decor with this paint colour palette, curated by our colour experts.

A collection of wooden utensils and other kitchenware on rustic shelves in front of a dark green-painted wall.

Evoke the rustic chic glamour of French country decor with this paint colour palette, curated by our colour experts.

Infuse the spirit of Provençal living into your space with paint colours inspired by French country decor.

The French countryside isn’t just a place—it’s a way of life. With rustic charm and effortless style, it’s no surprise that the pastoral elegance of this region has inspired its own design ethos.

French country homes bring to mind a colour palette of pale yellows and pinks, shades of off-white, and just enough refined elegance and je ne sais quoi to any space.

The Benjamin Moore French Country Paint Colour Palette

Bring the bucolic charm of French country decorating into your home with this breezy, rustic palette.

A corner of a white-painted French Country living room with a wood beamed ceiling, a paned window, white chair, and a stone floor.

Characteristics of a French Country House

French country style is well known for its casual yet elegant aesthetic, where old meets new. Whether it’s a cottage, a farmhouse, or a more modern space you’re decorating, the colours and materials of French country home décor effortlessly infuse any interior with a rustic chic feel.

Achieve the look by layering weathered and natural materials and fabrics with more laid-back accents. Neutrals, like Atrium White OC-145 and Clay Beige OC-11, create an understated French feel.

A series of hallways painted in white, light blue and violet with white trimmed doorways, wood floors, and the home’s front door at the end.

Colours for French Country Decor

Many of the hues associated with French country styling lend a soft, muted quality that nods to an overall vintage feel.

“In the eyes of French people, French country is about a relaxed, rustic style,” says Julia Fanina, Showroom Manager of Benjamin Moore Showroom Paris at Favori Décor. “The colours that evoke French country style are pale and warm colours to emphasize the beauty of vintage furniture, as well as spring colours—but not saturated ones—that evoke the blue sky, the sea, the southern sun and the smell of Provençal herbs. Colours are meticulously chosen to stimulate memories of sights and smells.”

"French country decoration should evoke a gentle nostalgia of a home in the south of France that you have known since childhood."

Julia Fanina, Showroom Manager of Benjamin Moore Showroom Paris, Favori Décor

A French country bedroom with white-painted walls and door, a blue-painted ceiling and bedframe, patterned curtains, and wood floor.

Embracing the Lived-In Look

French country furniture is one way to give your home that rustic feel without having to travel around the world. Go for furniture that makes the space feel cozy: think mismatched easy chairs in a country French living room, soft linens, and time-worn pieces that only get better with age.

Consider the hues and fabrics of French country furniture styles when planning your decor—textiles make excellent inspiration for wall paint colours, and vice versa. Here, Smoke 2122-40, on the ceiling of this bedroom plays off the floral print in the window treatments and cream-coloured bedding.

A white-painted French country kitchen with open shelving and patterned plates above black-painted cabinets, and a black and white tile floor.

The Charm of a French Country Kitchen

Collections of porcelain, artwork, and even found objects—especially items made with natural materials—are an ideal addition to a French country kitchen.

As the heart of the home, create a functional gathering space in your kitchen that’s geared for gathering and sharing, using textured walls, boldly patterned dinnerware, and a pop of colour as a focal point, like cabinets painted with ADVANCE^® Interior.

Here, collections of tableware with a toile pattern lend a cool complement to the panelled walls and eye-catching cabinets painted in Jet Black 2120-10.

A French country bedroom with a white- and beige-painted wall, an open paned door, wood beamed ceiling, antique bed, and tiled floor.

Rustic Style Meets Simple Elegance

In French country decor, rustic interiors combine with a simple and elegant sensibility that embraces the rough-hewn nature of various materials, from wood to stone.

In the bedroom shown here, the combination of exposed beams and stonework paired with a tiled floor delivers old-world charm heightened by a neutral colour palette.

Comfortable and honest materials work exceptionally well with warm neutrals such as Wind’s Breath OC-24, White Dove OC-17, and Atrium White OC-145, seen here.

A green painted two-tiered plant stand with potted flowers and gardening tools.

Outdoor Inspiration

Outdoor gardens and fresh-air accessories are synonymous with French country styling—think potted herbs, petite flowers and twisted vines to add simple elegance and charm.

Take inspiration from your garden with exterior home paint colours like Rosemary Sprig 2144-30 or Lavender Mist 2070-60. Or consider adding a functional yet beautiful accent, like the plant stand shown here in High Park CC-620. Get more ideas and inspiration to create a striking home exterior with Benjamin paints and stains.