French Country Bathroom Design

Explore ideas and options for French country bathroom design, and prepare to add a romantic and elegant bathroom design to your home.
Bathroom With Yellow Patterned Wallpaper and Weathered White Vanity

French Country Bathroom With Distressed White Vanity Cabinets

This serene bathroom has French details with the white cabinets, pale yellow wallpaper, and clean and feminine styling.

This serene bathroom has French details with the white cabinets, pale yellow wallpaper, and clean and feminine styling.
By: Sean McEvoy

Inspired by the relaxed but elegant style found in the French country estates of the 18th and 19th centuries, French country bathroom design features a soothing combination of comfort, romance and style.

If you're considering adding a French country bathroom design to your home, the first element you'll want to plan is the color scheme. This aspect of the design will help you decide on things like wall and accessory colors, and it will help to unite the overall approach thematically. Common colors for French country kitchens are soft blues, browns, yellows and greens — natural and earth tones, as well as gentle yet lively colors, work well with this simultaneously refined and relaxed style. Colors can be deployed via wall paint, flooring and countertops, or accessories, and you may choose to incorporate a primary color throughout the design, or to mix and match a selection of colors that work well together.

One of the trademarks of French country bathrooms is a cabinet style that's often described as "furniture." This style generally incorporates cutouts, crown molding or ornate raised woodworking, making it resemble cabinetry that might be seen on dressers, armoires or other antique furniture pieces. French country bathroom cabinets may emulate a furniture design, or, in some cases, homeowners may choose to incorporate actual antique furniture into the design. For example, an antique dresser can be deployed as a dressing or makeup table, or it could be reconfigured for use as a sink cabinet.

Furniture can be a key component of a French country bathroom design. Chairs and benches are often antiques or antique replicas in the style of pieces from the time period, which means they often borrow from Victorian and other Old World styles, with ornately carved arms and legs and tufted seats. These may be combined with more down-to-earth designs for benches or dressing tables, which can reflect a country style with the use of natural, unfinished wood or distressed antiques for a lived-in and well-used feel.

When it comes to accessories and decorative flourishes for your French country bathroom, you'll have plenty of attractive and functional options. Storage is an important aspect of any bathroom design, and it's an opportunity to add some country style to your bathroom, as well. Wicker or wire baskets, or natural wood shelving or storage units can offer a casual, country approach and combine well with the more formal aspects of the space, such as furniture-style cabinets or antique pieces.

For the walls in your French country bathroom design, you'll have the option of focusing on a primary color scheme or incorporating other design elements like wallpaper or tilework. Wallpaper can be a great addition to this bathroom style, as it can feature pastoral or natural scenes in period-accurate designs like toile.

Next Up

Main Bathrooms

Get all the info you'll need to create an elegant and efficient spa-like retreat in your home.

Powder Rooms

Browse helpful information on powder rooms so you can create an elegant bath and preparation space in your home.

Three-Quarter Bath

Explore your options for a three-quarter bath, and create an efficient and attractive bathroom space in your home.

13 Top Kitchen Design Styles

From contemporary to cottage, today's most popular looks inspire beautiful kitchen designs.

Half Baths

Find out all you need to know about half baths so you can create an inviting and efficient design for these heavily trafficked spaces.

Small & Modern Kitchen Design Ideas

Learn from experts how to boost style and spaciousness with modern decor and a layout that includes sleek finishes, a monochromatic color palette and concealed storage.

Porcelain vs. Ceramic Tile: What's the Difference?

Ceramic and porcelain tiles share many similarities, but they also have noteworthy differences. Learn the pros and cons of each material to help you decide which is the better choice for floors, walls and other tile projects.

Reasons to Choose Porcelain Tile

Harder than ceramic, porcelain tile is a smart choice for floors, countertops and walls because of its durability, beauty and countless design choices.

How to Determine Your Deck Style

Learn what factors and styles to consider when planning your deck.

European Bathroom Design Ideas

Browse European bathroom design ideas, and get ready to create a classic and contemporary bathroom design in your home.

Go Shopping

Get product recommendations from HGTV editors, plus can’t-miss sales and deals.

On TV

Follow Us Everywhere

Join the party! Don't miss HGTV in your favorite social media feeds.