In this post, I’ll share 7 ideas to make your house look more European, taking inspiration from classic European interior design styles.
I’m obsessed with the old European architectural and interior design styles. During my trips to some major European cities, I’ve been paying attention to their interior design styles and elements, to take inspiration for my own home.
So if you are looking for ways to bring a touch of classic European style to your home, Look no further! This post I will share 7 ideas from classic European interior design that you can incorporate into your home decorating journey, from my first hand experience touring Europe.
All photos shared here were taken during my travels. From classic design features to timeless interior finishes, I hope you’ll find all the inspiration you need to create a beautiful, classic European-style home!
What makes a house European style?
Classic European style is characterized by its use of symmetrical designs, neutral colors, and traditional furniture pieces. It often features ornate architectural details such as intricate moldings, large windows and beautiful arches, as well as antiques, chandeliers, and artwork. Classic European style is also characterized by its use of traditional materials, such as wood, stone, and marble.
In modern settings, those interior design elements are not followed strictly but rather used as inspiration. What we see a lot these days is classic European style mixed with contemporary elements, which often incorporate natural materials such as wood, stone, and tile with modern details such as minimalistic furniture, open floor plans, and natural light. There is a focus on nature and the outdoors with large windows and doors, outdoor patios or decks, and lush gardens. Colors are generally neutral with accents of blues, greens, and yellows.
Make your house look more European
Europe is home to some of the most beautiful architecture in the world, and many people dream of bringing a bit of European charm into their own homes. Now you might be wondering how I can make my house look more European?
In this post, I’ve taken notes from my travels in Europe and summarized them into 7 key elements to inspire you to decorate your home in a more European way, if the classic European style is your jam.
But before that, if you are looking for house design and exterior design, check out my last post on European Exterior Design Inspirations. If you are a garden enthusiast, make sure to read my post of English Garden Ideas from Chelsea Flower Show.
Since European home style is such a broad category, I’ll keep this post focused on classic European interior design styles and how we can incorporate them into our own homes.
7 interior design ideas taken from classic European styles
If you’re looking to give your home a more European feel, you may be wondering where to start. So here are 7 interior design ideas to make your house look more European, with photos I took from the UK, Italy and France.
From incorporating classic architectural elements to adding a few stylish touches, these ideas will help you create a home that feels like it’s straight out of Europe, but not in a dated way because none of us want that.
So if you’re ready to bring a bit of classic European interior design styles to your home, read on to discover seven ideas to make your house look more European.
Embrace beautiful architecture with white
The beauty from classic architectural design is undeniable. If you are lucky enough to have some cool architectural features in your home, such as arches or intricate moldings, painting it white can be a good choice.
White walls and arches also create a sense of openness and airiness, making a room feel larger than it actually is.
The white walls can be accented with pops of color and texture from your furniture and decor for added interest and depth. White is a great background for displaying artwork and other wall hangings. It allows the artwork to stand out and be the star of the show.
White walls and arches create a sense of balance and timelessness in a space:
This is an outdoor corridor from Italy, but I can totally see this implemented inside.
Rich Wood moldings and paneling
Rich wood moldings and paneling are a great way to add sophistication and luxury to any interior space.
Staining the wood into a medium to dark color will bring out the natural beauty and texture of the wood.
Alternatively you can paint the wood panels if you are more into a light color palette, or prefer your interior style to skew more modern. Painting the wood in a neutral color such as black, light gray, muted blue can also help to create a classic and timeless look, just look at those beautiful Parisian homes!
Incorporate patterns
Incorporating patterns in your home’s interior design is another great way to bring European flair to your home, especially if you are into English or cottage interior styles.
Patterns can be used to draw the eye to a certain area, to create an interesting focal point, or to subtly tie different elements together.
Here are two examples I have observed incorporating patterns:
Here’s a photo I snapped at Liberty London. I love those arm chairs are upholstered in a cute blue fabric. It just adds so much more personality than a gray sofa.
Here’s a photo of a cute country style kitchen I saw in France.
For decorative kitchen tiles, choose a pattern that adds both texture and color. Consider a colorful geometric pattern, a traditional floral pattern, or a bold striped pattern.
Use timeless materials for the floor
Using timeless materials for the floor is a great way to add a classic and elegant European style to any room, such as natural stone and wood planks.
Black and white marble checkered flooring is so classic, its neutral color palette makes it possible to work in almost any interior style.
Speaking of wood floorings, aged wood planks can be used to add a touch of warmth and character to the room, for a warm and aged look. Chevron or Herringbone flooring patterns also work great in this case.
No matter the pattern or material used, using timeless materials for the floor is sure to bring a touch of sophistication to any room.
Incorporate European antiques
If you are not ready to redo some interior finishes, how about Incorporating antique furniture, art and decor to add a touch of classic European character? Look for antiques from popular European countries like France, Italy, and England.
I went to several Paris flea markets while I was there, the collection is simply amazing, old oil paintings, marble fireplace mantel, beautiful chairs, you name it. Plus they are more affordable than most of us think.
You can also look for smaller antique pieces like china, silverware, and small sculptures.
Window style and treatment
Choosing the right type of window can make a difference to your home’s interior style. For European homes, I have seen a lot of tall rectangle windows, usually with grids. One thing I love seeing in European houses is painting the window grid and frame with the same paint color, and that’s something I have been doing more these days.
Finally, curtains can be used to soften the lines of a room and enhance your beautiful windows. Sheer curtains are a great option to maintain privacy while still allowing natural light to come in.
Incorporate copper and brass
This is especially true if you want to create a European inspired kitchen. These metals can add a warm, inviting feel to the space, while also creating a luxurious, timeless atmosphere. Copper and brass can be used in a variety of ways, from kitchen fixtures and appliances, to cabinets and countertops, to wall decor and tableware.
Other ways to incorporate these metals into the kitchen include adding brass hardware and fixtures, copper cookware, and even copper accents like wall sconces and cabinet pulls.
Conclusion
I’ve shared a few tips and ideas on how to make your home look more European, from enhancing traditional architectural elements to choosing vintage-inspired decor and finishes.
I hope you get inspired by the range of ways to bring European interior style into your home! I was certainly inspired seeing all those elements used in architecture while I was touring around European. Let me know which ideas resonated with you the most.
More ideas on European home design
If you are looking for house exterior inspirations from classic European style, check out my post here! I’ve also written an article on my takeaways attending one of the biggest garden show in London, at English Garden Inspirations from Chelsea Flower Show.
If you are more into a modern European interior style, I’ve encountered this article that focuses on interior styles on a neutral palette.
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