French Country Furniture — How to Choose the Perfect French Country Living Room Furniture

French country furniture is both functional and comfortable. In the living room, furniture is meant to be inviting and warm, for curling up with a mug of hot coffee and a good book and for beckoning family and friends to settle in for cozy, intimate gatherings. If you want to recreate the rustic charm of a Provence living room in your home, this article will help you choose the perfect French country furniture.

Here are some unique pieces listed on eBay:

Country French Desk at The Raleigh Furniture Gallery

US $149.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday May-17-2012 15:25:34 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

Vtg Baker Furniture Country French Parquet Coffee Table

US $595.00 End Date: Thursday May-17-2012 18:10:34 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $595.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Dollhouse Miniature French Country Rose Bed Furniture

US $48.99 End Date: Thursday May-17-2012 19:25:23 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $48.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

ANTIQUE FRENCH COUNTRY PROVINCIAL STYLE WOOD FURNITURE ARMOIRE DRESSER KIDS ROOM

US $500.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday May-17-2012 20:59:56 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

20,FLEUR DE LIS,DRAWER PULLS,CABINET KNOBS,FURNITURE HARDWARE,FRENCH COUNTRY

US $29.98 (1 Bid) End Date: Friday May-18-2012 7:49:55 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

CENTURY FURNITURE Country French Inlayed Carved 104" Dining Table

US $799.99 End Date: Friday May-18-2012 7:54:04 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $799.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

CENTURY FURNITURE Country French Flip Top Server / Buffet

US $399.99 End Date: Friday May-18-2012 8:22:12 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $399.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

BAKER FURNITURE Country French Carved Shell 42" Two Drawer Lowboy Chest

US $649.99 End Date: Friday May-18-2012 8:27:07 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $649.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

BAKER FURNITURE Country French 37" Lighted Curio Cabinet Wall Unit

US $799.99 End Date: Friday May-18-2012 8:27:09 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $799.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Baker Furniture Country French Collection bedroom 1993 print Ad advertisement

US $9.99 End Date: Friday May-18-2012 15:40:16 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $9.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

NEW White Accent Table.Country French Styling.Elegant Furniture.End Tables.Stand

US $159.99 End Date: Friday May-18-2012 16:58:06 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $159.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Tuscan French Country Style Decor Furniture WINE CABINET Buffet Sideboard Server

US $1,669.00 End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 9:01:01 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $1,669.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Tuscan French Country Style Decor Furniture Cupboard Sideboard Buffet TV Cabinet

US $1,019.00 End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 9:57:56 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $1,019.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

100,FLEUR DE LIS,DRAWER PULLS,CABINET KNOBS,FURNITURE HARDWARE,FRENCH COUNTRY

US $134.98 End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 12:25:01 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $134.98 Buy it now | Add to watch list

8 Vintage Style Brass Country French Handles Cabinet Furniture Hardware

US $20.00 End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 15:52:19 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $20.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

10,FLEUR DE LIS,DRAWER PULLS,CABINET KNOBS,FURNITURE HARDWARE,FRENCH COUNTRY

US $17.98 End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 16:30:28 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $17.98 Buy it now | Add to watch list

1970 Press Photo Country French style furniture.

US $21.88 End Date: Sunday May-20-2012 1:31:06 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $21.88 Buy it now | Add to watch list

30,FLEUR DE LIS,DRAWER PULLS,CABINET KNOBS,FURNITURE HARDWARE,FRENCH COUNTRY

US $42.98 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday May-20-2012 15:06:17 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

Seating is the most important element in any living room. For a warm, homey gathering place, you want seating that is both comfortable and cozy, but also casually elegant and pleasing to look at. French country furniture is a visual treat, with a variety of shapes, sizes and textures that all work together without being too ‘matchy’.

To that end, you will not find matching three piece sets, or overly modern lines and shapes in a French country living room. In general, there will be one large comfy sofa as the main seating area. This is usually upholstered in a neutral, plain fabric, with a rich texture. You can cover an existing sofa with a casual slipcover in an oat, beige or cream shade. Color and pattern are brought in with quilts or throws casually draped over the sofa, and layers of throw cushions in toile, striped, checked, rustic floral or other natural motifs.

The chaise is a classic piece of French country furniture, and nestles snugly into a nook for cozy private moments. One or two chairs, often with scrolled wooden frames and upholstered seating, complete the arrangement. The upholstery on these pieces compliments, but never matches, the sofa. It may have a pattern, or be of a complimentary color. Wooden frames are either polished, painted or whitewashed.

Other French country furniture for seating includes puffy, feather-stuffed armchairs, low-backed bergere chairs, upholstered tub chairs, and small love seats. Whatever you choose, don’t cram your living room with furniture. Choose a few pieces and group them together for intimate seating.

A very important piece of French country furniture is the armoire, used for storage and gently aged. Another common stand alone piece is a buffet, with shelves on the top and cupboards on the bottom. These are often painted in warm tones, which you can accomplish by coating it with a creamy vanilla paint and then ragging on an antique glaze.

Add a personal, rustic touch by using assorted old items throughout your living room. A wrought iron bench covered in puffy cushions makes a beautiful window seat. An old trunk doubles as a coffee table. Use your imagination, and think natural materials, like wood and iron, and antique or rustic looks.

French country furniture is a pleasing, homey mix of shapes, patterns and textures. Now that you know the basics, you are well on your way to creating a cozy, inviting gathering place for friends and family to curl up, relax and enjoy.