Inside a Paris Apartment

What is it about a simple French interior that sets our hearts racing?

We stayed in this two-bedroom apartment across from Jardin du Luxembourg and loved how it captured the quintessential look of Paris. Infused with natural light from tall windows, the apartment was built in the Haussmann style. (Photo: The Velvet Chaise)

Picture an ordinary apartment in America. What does it look like? I imagine a plain and functional space with sofa, chair and coffee table, maybe a few small art pieces on the white walls. Daily drudgery stuff that should be in closets, but isn’t. A very large smart TV monitor perched on a nondescript laminate table that was supposed to be a temporary fix.

Cords everywhere. Lots of gray. Uninspired architecture.

About this last point (the architecture), let’s just get it out there: Paris apartments have a huge advantage before they even have any furniture. Floor-to-ceiling windows that open onto delicate terraces. Interior doors made of solid wood and decorative panels. From the chevron hardwood floor to über-high molded plaster ceilings, this whole package is what makes the Paris apartment so glamorous and really damn hard to capture.

Bursts of color, inviting upholstery and natural woods show Parisian disregard for matchy-matchy. (Photo: The Velvet Chaise)

The “Paris look” is very often what is called Haussmann style. Georges-Eugéne Haussman was a Parisian official who, on the behest of Napoleon III, spearheaded a huge urban renewal project in the city between 1853 and 1870. Our imagination of Paris is based largely on this mid-19th-century transformation, not on the crowded and dark medieval structures it replaced. Haussmann’s renewal accounts for nearly 60% of Paris’ architecture.

The look is uniquely French and newer homes will almost never have these distinguishing elements. Honestly, it would feel a little inauthentic if they did.

A grouping of a grand piano and one fine art piece is showcased nicely against an accent wall painted an olive green. Music storage is tucked discreetly in the corner. (Photo: The Velvet Chaise)

Breaking Down French Design

So what if you just want to capture the essence of French interior design while sticking to what works for you in your own place? Luckily for all of us, French style welcomes the old, the worn and the eccentric. You will be surprised how much of your décor can work successfully maybe just by rearranging or using in a different way.

Generous windows should be highlighted if you have them. Invest in double curtain panels, placing translucent panels nearest the glass and inner panels that hang on each side of the window simply for framing.

For rooms with no windows, get fresh paint on those walls and pay special attention to your lighting. Sconces and floor lamps light up walls and corners beautifully.

Although furnished with restraint, this apartment has an interesting piece in every corner and plenty of seats for guests. It is instantly inviting. (Photo: The Velvet Chaise)

Then, create small zones in your rooms. Define your living room/TV area not by lining up a couch on one side and a TV stand on another, but by making a square or 90-degree angle with your seating. Instead of one long couch, what about two loveseats or an armchair with an upholstered bench?

Add a table, lamps, area rug and artwork within the zone and keep in mind that your TV stand is just about the most prominent piece of furniture in the room. Give it some thought. A Japanese Tansu or a mid-century console are good options.

A great way to create a French look is with a mini gallery over a small sitting area. Note how these pieces of art are balanced and give visual delight without crowding. (Photo: The Velvet Chaise)

Once the living/TV zone is established you might have room for an informal eating zone near the kitchen. Pair a modern table with interesting antique chairs and invest some time creating a centerpiece that reflects your own artistic style or maybe a cherished family piece. Your home is meant to be a reflection of you and others who live in it.

Vive la Vie Parisienne! … or just read about it

Here are a few books to help you better appreciate Parisian apartment style:

Parisian by Design. David Jiminez and Diane Dorrans Saeks provide ideas, inspiration and a how-to section for mastering the elements of French interior design. Their focus is on blending classical and modern elements for a unique look.

La Maison. This one is scheduled for release in September 2025 and it looks very promising. Author Zoe de las Cases is a French graphic designer, artist and interior designer. Her Paris and Normandy homes are small and reflect her design philosophy that is “a mix of decoration and style in a happy, playful and colourful universe.”

L’Appart. Just for fun (and if you love food as much as home design) pick up American chef David Lebovitz’ account of creating a home for himself in Paris. It’s one part dream, one part disaster and all parts good comedic entertainment.