Provence-Style Kitchen Design Ideas and Photos of the best interiors for your inspiration

Provence style, originated in the south-east of France and named after the region of the same name, is perfect for decorating the kitchen and is very popular among those who want to create an atmosphere of home comfort and hospitality. This style, with its inherent provincial charm of coastal Mediterranean towns filled with sunshine and serenity, will appeal to people who reject ostentatious luxury and are tired of the eternal bustle of the city.

Key features of Provence style in the kitchen

As a rule, the main features of the Provencal style include:

• abundance of natural light;
• the use of delicate pastel shades;
• the use of natural materials;
• naturally or artificially aged furniture;
• a large number of decorative details.

In the Provence style kitchen there is no place for excessive brightness, brilliance, ultra-modern technical and stylistic solutions. It always bears the imprint of time, proximity to nature and good taste.

Layout and zoning of the Provencal-style kitchen

Provence style is not too demanding on the size of the room and can be used both in a spacious country house and in a small city apartment. Let’s consider the main options.

For small kitchens, a U-shaped arrangement of the headset and the transfer of the dining area to another room will be appropriate. If this is not possible, a folding dining table and chairs, which can be placed on top of each other if necessary, will help solve the problem of lack of space. It is also permissible to move part of the food storage area to the balcony or corridor.

A linear or angular (L-shaped) arrangement of furniture is suitable for a medium-sized kitchen. The dining area will look great by the window, and if there is not enough space, you can use benches for sitting, which will perfectly fit into the Provencal style.

With large kitchen sizes, you can use an island layout. Also, in the spacious Provencal-style kitchen, a sofa or a kitchen corner will be appropriate, which will add even more comfort. When combining the kitchen with the living room, it is recommended to place the dining area closer to the kitchen set, thus visually dividing the room.

Finishing options in the kitchen in the style of Provence

An important part of the design of the Provence-style kitchen is the decoration of the floor, walls and ceiling.

Of the possible floor coverings for Provence, they are best suited:

• ceramic tiles of discreet shades;
• natural wood, stone or their modern imitations.

Coatings with defects and scuffs will look good. When using wood, it is important to take care of water-repellent impregnation. On a stone floor, a rug or mat made of natural materials will be appropriate.

For wall decoration, you can use:

• matte paint of a delicate shade;
• plaster, including textured;
• wallpaper with floral or floral motifs.

Good options for a kitchen apron will be:

• patterned patchwork tile;
• imitation of natural stone with the effect of antiquity;
• tile “kabanchik” in the form of white bricks.

Traditional solutions for the ceiling of the Provence-style kitchen:

• plain white paint or plaster;
• massive wooden beams.

Of course, beams will be more appropriate in a country house or, at least, in a large room with high ceilings. In a city apartment, they can be imitated using custom-made polyurethane boxes.

Color solutions for the Provence-style kitchen

The soft muted colors characteristic of the Provencal style are designed to create the impression of gradual fading of colors under the hot southern sun. There are a great many possible options and combinations.

Among the most frequently used are:

• olive with mahogany;
• lavender with beige;
• mint with vanilla;
• blue or turquoise with sand;
• pistachio with light wood.

Also in the Provence style kitchen, pale pink in combination with white or beige, or soft shades of yellow will be appropriate. The white color stands apart: it can be used both to dilute other colors, and as the main one. In the latter case, you will need to add contrasting accents in the form of shades of natural wood, saturated blue or green colors.

Dark tones are not typical for the Provence style. However, for individual interior details or as the second color of a two-tone kitchen, their use is also allowed.

Kitchen furniture

When creating a kitchen design, it is the furniture that sets the right tone for the most part. Provence-style kitchen furniture should not look too new, shiny or pretentious. The optimal material for facades will be an array of natural wood or MDF. Countertops can also be made of wood, or of natural or artificial stone.

To make the interior more open and airy, suitable:

• open shelves with spices, herbs and beautiful dishes;
• glass or stained glass inserts in cabinet doors.

Copper, bronze or brass are used for fittings, faucets and other metal parts. There can be no sparkling chrome in Provence.

The heart of the Provence-style kitchen will be a solid wooden table surrounded by high-backed chairs. A beautiful tablecloth and matching upholstered chair seats will make the dining area even more cozy.

When choosing household appliances , two options are possible:

• find models with antique finishes that match Provence in style;
• disguise modern technology by covering it with facades.

In the Provence-style kitchen, a large dome hood will look great, which can be placed both against the wall and above the island in the center of the room.

Also, the appropriate mood will be set by such details as:

• carving or panels on the doors;
• lightweight wicker chairs and baskets;
• the presence of forged elements in furniture or decor.

Features of the organization of lighting in the kitchen

The Provence-style kitchen implies an abundance of daylight, and large windows facing the sunny side will be an undoubted plus for it. Nevertheless, thanks to the light color scheme, such a kitchen will look good even under less favorable conditions, and skillfully selected lamps will help compensate for the lack of natural lighting.

A classic ceiling chandelier can play the role of not only a light source here, but also a style-forming element. It is best if this chandelier is forged.

Additional illumination of the work area can be arranged using:

• single-lamp ceiling lamps with vintage ceiling lights;
• sconces, including stylized in the form of candlesticks;
• well-camouflaged small spotlights.

The light should never be cold or too bright. Warm diffused lighting will be much more appropriate for Provence.

Textiles and decor

Provence belongs to those rare styles where it is almost impossible to overdo the details. Porcelain dishes, bundles of dried herbs, beautiful bottles of oil, embroidered napkins – all this helps to create a unique atmosphere of French rustic cuisine.

A wide variety of curtains will fit into Provence, but from the point of view of functionality, it is better to stop at shorter ones. In general, kitchen textiles are traditionally made from natural fabrics, such as linen or cotton. Textile elements should be light and, if possible, in harmony with each other. The most characteristic patterns for Provence are: floral, with roosters, in a cage.

As in any other kitchen, you should not get carried away with decorative elements that have no practical application, unless you dream of devoting whole days to cleaning. Among the decor that does not play a role in cooking, it is better to choose a wall one.

It can be:

• painting with a pastoral landscape;
• mirror in a beautiful frame;
• round-shaped clock.

In addition, a Provence-style kitchen can always be decorated with indoor plants, but a lot depends on the size of the room and the possibility of constant care.

Provence style color combinations in the kitchen

It is considered that the Provence style is executed in white shades. But this is only a stereotypical perception. The color scheme is used here in a wider range. Blue, beige, olive, gray and cream shades look perfect in this interior. We will look at each of these colors in more detail.

All shades used should be muted with a slight haze. Simply put, gentle pastel variations of pure colors. This is due to the fact that in the southern regions all colors quickly fade and become less bright. And our task is to recreate such an interior.

Below we will look at examples of kitchens in different colors so that you can clearly appreciate the interiors in different shades.

White shades

The most popular color in this style. Perhaps nowadays it is associated with simplified classics, and this style is inextricably linked with white. White tones look elegant, clean and fresh. And it can also be safely used in small rooms. After all, it makes the kitchen visually more spacious.

Remember that white is only the basis. Be sure to dilute the interior with a wood floor pattern and bright accents of souvenir plates and vases. And you should not strive for “ideality”. This interior looks slightly uncombed, because it should have a touch of rustic simplicity. A clay container with a flower was placed on one side, a wicker basket was hung on the other, and a plate was placed in the third place.

As a result, white is diluted with bright colors that set the dynamics and enliven the interior.

Olive shades and mahogany

An interesting combination that fits very well into the style of Provence. The muted olive immediately takes us to the plantations where these berries are grown. And mahogany resembles leather shoes, which were worn in those days.

The dark shade of olives is best used in large kitchens in combination with massive natural furniture in dark tones. The more spacious the room, the darker shade can be used for the kitchen.

The light olive shade perfectly harmonizes with cream and sand shades.

Pistachio and light wood shades

Delicate pistachio colors perfectly harmonize with the interior in Provence style. Successful combinations with white, blue, pink shades and wood patterns of light tones.

This shade makes the interior fresh and juicy, without weighing down the interior at all with its voluminous presence. It perfectly harmonizes with the light shades of the wood floor, but it also looks advantageous with dark wood.

For clarity, here are some examples:

Sand and chocolate shades

Light yellow colors are associated with burnt grass and hot summer. For lovers of warm, bright interiors, this combination will be ideal. Considering that the sand has a huge number of tones and semitones, it will not be difficult to create a beautiful and harmonious interior.

Sandy is perfectly combined with a dark chocolate shade. For example, the countertop and floor are dark, and the kitchen facades are light. We also recommend selecting accessories in the color of the interior. For example, bronze handles will fit in such an interior better than white or chrome.

For clarity, here are some examples:

Blue and white shades

It is used both in decorative elements and on walls, windows and facades. The fact is that this shade is inextricably linked with the perception of the southern interior. Associations are caused by the sea, clear sky, small flowers. Blue brings freshness, like a light breeze on a hot day.

Shades of blue

A bright and deep shade of blue is also popular in southern interiors. Perfectly in harmony with green, blue and chocolate shades.

Fresh and especially bright blue stands out in combination with white and gray shades.

Photo Gallery

This style originated in the 17th century in France. But as we know it, it appeared already in the 19th century. This style has become a lighter, simpler and more elegant version of classicism. Today, in the daily bustle of the city, the Provence-style kitchen becomes a quiet cozy and comfortable corner without worries.

Facades with a carved pattern and showcases with glass are welcome and perfectly complement the interior of the kitchen.