20+ Elegant French Country House Plans Ideas (2024)

Have you always wanted to live in a charming little cottage that transports you back in time? You should probably try adopting French design elements into the decor of your house to live this dream. Rustic architecture has a way of making a building seem more like a home. Even the most urban house might seem like it’s hidden away in a little French town by infusing rustic French country style house design flair into the design.

French country residences integrate traditional European architecture into the modern day by masterfully fusing the rustic and contemporary decor palette. They might be anything from charming cottages to majestic royal palaces. The common factor is that they all have timeless beauty in them.

We have compiled a list of French country house plans for you to use as inspiration when planning your dream home!

Table of Contents

  1. 1. French Manor House
  2. 2. French Country Cottage Home
  3. 3. French-Mediterranean House
  4. 4. Federal French Style Home
  5. 5. Stone French Style Country Home
  6. 6. Classic French Style Country Home
  7. 7. French Country-Style House with Vines
  8. 8. Terracotta Themed French Country Style House
  9. 9. French-American Country Home
  10. 10. French Country-Style House with a 4-Sided Sloping Roof
  11. 11. French Country-Style House with Stucco Finish Facade
  12. 12. Modern French Country House with a Chic Porch
  13. 13. Modern French Country House
  14. 14. French Country House Plans with Landscape
  15. 15. Modern French Country House with European Facade Details
  16. 16. French Country Style House with Outdoor Living Area
  17. 17. Rustic French Country Style Home
  18. 18. French Chateau
  19. 19. Forest Cabin Theme French Country Cottage
  20. 20. French Country-themed Villa
  21. Master the Ideals of French Country Architecture to Design Your Dream Home!

1. French Manor House

20+ Elegant French Country House Plans Ideas (1)

In medieval French society, a manor was an estate or spatial unit consisting of a lord’s residence and grounds. The residences are distinguished by arched entryways and symmetrical details. They are typically two floors tall and have steep-hipped roofs.

2. French Country Cottage Home

20+ Elegant French Country House Plans Ideas (2)

French cottage style creates charming, inviting homes by combining rustic charm with modern refinement. You’ll have a sense of being surrounded by the vineyards and settlements of the French countryside while using French country colours, motifs, and ornamental elements. Modern French rural homes with vintage elegance are created using aged materials and exquisite accents.

3. French-Mediterranean House

20+ Elegant French Country House Plans Ideas (3)

Houses in the French-Mediterranean style are a harmonious combination of coastal French Riveria villas and Mediterranean architecture. Both styles share elaborate masonry, stucco cladding, and finely carved doorways. Add an elaborate wrought iron balcony to bring emphasis to the front porch of your French country home for a more sophisticated style.

4. Federal French Style Home

20+ Elegant French Country House Plans Ideas (4)

Houses in the Federal style are a combination of austerity and classically elegant embellishments. You get a sense of traditional American charm and history when you live in a French-Federal-style home. These houses usually feature wooden shutters, tall french windows with lintels, and charming dormers on the upper level. Mansard roofs with four double-sloped sides are typical of French country-style houses.

5. Stone French Style Country Home

Many French architectural designs, from French-style gardens to French Colonial architecture, emphasize the symmetry. The front is often flat and uses rough stone masonry to emphasize the aesthetic of the house. A mélange of rich masonry makes a towering chimney, gable, front terrace, and substructure stand out.

6. Classic French Style Country Home

20+ Elegant French Country House Plans Ideas (6)

Scale, proportion, and symmetrical design are the cornerstones of French country architecture. In addition, the materiality and architectural aspects play a significant role in evoking the rural French style. For example, this home’s shutter-flanked windows, with iron railings, pay tribute to the beautiful balconies found in many French monumental buildings.

7. French Country-Style House with Vines

20+ Elegant French Country House Plans Ideas (7)

This French country home defines what biophilic dreams are. Stucco walls are covered with lush vines, while window boxes on the second floor are overflowing with daffodils and peonies. The red brick highlights contrast nicely with the caramel walls and mossy-colored shutters, lending an old-world feel to the outside.

8. Terracotta Themed French Country Style House

20+ Elegant French Country House Plans Ideas (8)

A subdued terra-cotta or burnt orange on the façade of this house gives it a distinctive rustic flavor. The hue varies with the sunlight and rainfall, lending it a timeless quality. The impression of antique French country architecture is heightened by features like a stucco facade, towering arched windows, and a Roman balcony.

9. French-American Country Home

20+ Elegant French Country House Plans Ideas (9)

This modern french country house masterfully blends classic American architectural features with traditional french design elements. The towering mansard roofline and beautiful shutters are reminiscent of European architecture. However, a welcoming porch makes a nod to traditional American ranch homes, resulting in an unusual fusion of architectural styles.

10. French Country-Style House with a 4-Sided Sloping Roof

20+ Elegant French Country House Plans Ideas (10)

The design of the roof of French country-style homes frequently makes them easy to recognize. The sloping roof design is one of the most widespread. This form is often a significant aspect of the exterior’s architecture, with four sloping sides that meet in a ridge at the top. You will find quaint dormers protruding out of these slate-clad roofs.

11. French Country-Style House with Stucco Finish Facade

20+ Elegant French Country House Plans Ideas (11)

The exteriors of many French country-style homes are made of masonry, brickwork, or stucco plaster. They provide a sophisticated look and a feeling of timeless quality because of their strength and durability. The doorway is highlighted by a stone arch in this house layout, which combines stucco and stone. A trimmed gable. wrought iron cantilevered balconies and arched dormers create dimension.

12. Modern French Country House with a Chic Porch

20+ Elegant French Country House Plans Ideas (12)

French country house plans follow a hierarchical spatial arrangement. You enter the house through an inviting semi-public porch area. The home has a new porch with a barrel roof, and the French blue exterior shutters stand out against the stucco. Porches are often lined with a series of columns and railings from which to hang vines or grow plants in flower beds.

13. Modern French Country House

20+ Elegant French Country House Plans Ideas (13)

French country architecture evokes a sleepy charm with a whimsical stone facade, romantic balconies, and arched multi-pane windows. But you can always create a balance between modern architectural elements and classic French country house plans.

For instance, use streamlined facade details by ditching rough stone masonry with smooth lime plaster. Or you might use modern sliding French windows instead of classic arches.

14. French Country House Plans with Landscape

20+ Elegant French Country House Plans Ideas (14)

French country house plans are not just about the architectural elements, but also how we design the landscape around it. It is a classic French country house, exuding village charm while retaining metropolitan refinement. You can add a pool that takes on the appearance of a free-form pond surrounded by plants and surrounded by rocks. Also, plant trees like magnificent cypress or oaks for a touch of classic European elegance.

15. Modern French Country House with European Facade Details

20+ Elegant French Country House Plans Ideas (15)

This French country-style home’s interior and exterior design are both driven by the need to maximize the intake of natural light. Most modern French country houses feature tall, shuttered windows with multiple panels on the front of the house reminiscent of French doors.

Pergolas covered in dangling vines are another intriguing structure that provides shelter from the sun and reduces the intensity of peak heat.

16. French Country Style House with Outdoor Living Area

20+ Elegant French Country House Plans Ideas (16)

French country home plans emphasize form and function without being ostentatious, but they nonetheless preserve a rustic appeal that will have you indulging in your French wine and dining in no time.

Casual outdoor dining and lounging under the shade of a tonnelle, or pergola, connected to the side of a stone facade, are key features of modern French villas.

17. Rustic French Country Style Home

20+ Elegant French Country House Plans Ideas (17)

French country home plans are all about diversity in textures and material palettes. The roof tiles on this French country home were handcrafted and curled over by the artisan. Plaster that had been colored a light sienna shade served as the exterior’s construction material.

The tiles were laid out in the same angular design as was used in France. To add to the overall country aesthetic, they were left unglazed so that moss may grow on the facade.

18. French Chateau

20+ Elegant French Country House Plans Ideas (18)

Traditionally, a chateau is a manor house or dwelling of the lord of the manor, or a beautiful country mansion of nobility or aristocracy, with or without defenses. Your French country home plan will qualify as a chateau if it is surrounded by lavish french gardens and other estates elements like stables and outhouses. These houses almost resemble a castle with their towing turrets and intricate face detailings.

19. Forest Cabin Theme French Country Cottage

20+ Elegant French Country House Plans Ideas (19)

These dwellings are akin to the quaint little cottages you’ve undoubtedly read about in fairytales. The traditionally French circular front door, complete with a custom-designed and hand-cast bronze handle, adds to the fairytale atmosphere. Hand-carved wood shutters and rustic stucco walls enhance the aesthetic. A comfortable attic bedroom may be created with steep slate-clad roofs and adorable dormers poking out of the superstructure.

20. French Country-themed Villa

20+ Elegant French Country House Plans Ideas (20)

Today most French country home plans are designed on small plots of land which may be devoid of lavish gardens and landscapes. But how do you bring the country vibe to these modern French country houses? French rural influences may be seen in this home’s design through subtle accents.

You can always add a steep hipped roof and porch lined with slender white columns to lend emphasis. Facade details like french doors and masonry exterior walls invoke the French countryside aesthetic.

Master the Ideals of French Country Architecture to Design Your Dream Home!

French country homes are one of the few architectural designs to exhibit a distinct regional flair. The greatest thing is that you don’t need to spend a fortune or utilize cutting-edge technology to build these majestic French Country style homes. You only need a strong grasp of craftsmanship, a passion for working with antiques, and a rustic aesthetic sensibility.

FAQs

1. What Defines French Country Style Home Design?

French country style is characterized as a blend of earthy and polished décor influenced by rural French residences.

2. What Is the Distinction Between French Country and Farmhouse Design?

The elegance of the French country style is subtle, delicate, feminine, and polished. These homes often have a more rustic appearance due to their earthy material palette and textures. The farmhouse has a sleeker appearance, more defined edges, and an increasingly laidback style.

3. What Is the Material Palette of French Country Home Plans?

Soft, subdued hues, unpolished wood and stone, stucco plaster walls, wooden beams, floral and botanic decorations, and natural materials are prominent elements of this design style.

4. What Are the Colours Associated with French Country-Style Houses?

The colour palette of the French country style is muted, consisting of white, ivory, drab, and beige. Additionally, the French enjoy adding soft, fading hues like pale green, french blue, pastel mauve, or violet.

5. How to Decorate a French Country-Style Home?

Although traditional French décor can be more opulent, the secret to a successful French country style is to balance it with humbler sentiments by focusing on more informal and distressed pieces. Consider repurposing vintage furnishings and décor items to create the perfect rustic ambiance.

Discover More

  • Everything To Know About French Colonial Architecture
  • Different Architectural House Styles and Eras
20+ Elegant French Country House Plans Ideas (2024)

FAQs

What is a typical French country house? ›

A French-style home, also called a French provincial home, is a stone, brick, or stucco house with a steep rooftop and large windows. Often featuring courtyard gardens, iron gates, and gravel pathways, French-style homes are known for their rustic appeal.

How to decorate French country on a budget? ›

Use the furniture and decor you have

Just try something different — split up your sectional, put your bed on the opposite wall, or change the end table to the other side of the chair. You can also swap furniture or decor from room to room. It can give the space a new look without spending any money.

What's the difference between French country and farmhouse style? ›

Two of the most popular options are “French country” and “farmhouse,” which may seem similar to some but are widely different in design philosophy. The former interior design aims to be elegant, soft, and chic, while the latter leans more toward casual, American choices.

Is French country still in style? ›

Though perhaps overshadowed at times by a classic farmhouse, a French country farmhouse is still very much in style. Outfitted with a modern base and ornamented with antique touches, the style crafts a distinctly timeless feel.

What colors for French country house? ›

Neutral Colors

It's a mix of white, beige, taupe, and gray. These timeless and peaceful colors create an elegant and comfortable atmosphere in your home. Generally, the walls are in white, light gray or beige, as well as the main furnishings (sofa, bed…).

How can I make my house look French country? ›

Florals are essential French country decor; they enliven neutral linens and evoke thoughts of picturesque Provence. For an organic look, simply pair a floral armchair or ottoman with fresh (or faux!) arrangements, just like Casabella Interiors did for this airy reading nook.

What are the best colors for French country? ›

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

What style can you mix with French country? ›

French country decorating is ornately detailed and antique-filled, but if it's not quite right for your aesthetic, there are other styles to consider as a guideline for furnishing your home. Modern Farmhouse combines rustic and contemporary styles with echoes of French country in a pared-down, updated way.

What is French country interior design style? ›

The Basics: What Is French-Country Style? French-country style combines rustic and refined elements to create inviting spaces. Here are the key characteristics that define this design style: A balance of well-worn, down-to-earth elements and delicate, elegant accents.

How to decorate French country style? ›

Any color can work in French country decor—it's all about tone. Opt for a pastel blue rather than a cobalt, or stick to forest green instead of a jewel-toned emerald. In a French country kitchen, copper and antique brass are the two most popular metal choices for hardware and appliances.

What is modern French country design? ›

Modern French Country Design | An Elevated Take on the Modern Farmhouse Style. Old-warm charm, but make it chic. Natural wood beams, textural accents (often with an air of antiquity), and sleek, clean lines make up the beloved design style, Modern French Country.

What does a French country kitchen look like? ›

According to Houston-based interior designer Amitha Verma, French country kitchens are defined by weathered stone floors, exposed wood beams, honed marble countertops, aged hardware, and traditional cabinetry with ornate, furniture-like detailing.

Is French country out of style 2024? ›

French country house chic is a design trend that never seems to go out of style, and it's gaining renewed interest in 2024.

How to decorate a bedroom in French country style? ›

Use rustic inspired furniture and keep the decor as soothing and calming. Use materials like wood and rattan as highlights. How do I decorate a French bedroom? A French style of decor is a uniquely specific one, combining elements of shabby chic with country modern, using clean lines and soft colors.

How to create a French country bedroom? ›

Antiqued brass and wrought iron metal accents with whitewashed vintage pieces are also easy ways to accomplish a French Country style bedroom. Neutral, elegant accents layered with care can highlight the antiqued finishes of French Country furniture beautifully.

What is a common feature of French colonial homes? ›

Most French colonial homes include wrap-around porches, steep roofs, high ceilings, French doors, and symmetrical design. These types of homes are often made out of brick or stucco.

What are the characteristics of a French colonial house? ›

General characteristics of a French Colonial dwelling included a raised basem*nt which would support the floor of the home's primary living quarters. Exterior stairs were another common element; the stairs would often climb up to a distinctive, full-length veranda or "gallery", on a home's façade.

What is French country cottage style? ›

French Country Cottage Style

That mix & mingle. Patterns and pretty details- gilding, carved raw wood, linens, velvets, brocades, worn paint and oversized mirrors. With simple style furniture like farm tables and built in cupboards, simple cottons and pretty floral fabrics. And fresh flowers of course.

What makes a house French Colonial? ›

Characteristics of French Colonial Architecture

The roof will usually be steep and sloping, usually hipped, and the windows are tall. Shutters adorn large, double French windows. And of course, French Colonial homes would not be complete without double French doors. French Colonial architecture is symmetrical.

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