French kitchens: what do they look like? A complete guide to choosing the right model

French kitchens enchant with their timeless charm and seduce with their refined elegance and impeccable taste.

Whether it comes in a traditional version or a more contemporary spirit, it succeeds in expressing a masterful combination of style and functionality, offering an environment that is both pleasant to use and classy.

What are the elements never to be renounced in French kitchens?

When designing French kitchens, attention to detail is paramount. In these kitchens, every element is carefully studied to create a perfect harmony and to best combine functionality and aesthetics.

Specifically, French kitchens are made of precious materials and the spaces are exploited in an intelligent way, arranging each element in a reasoned manner. Wood is used extensively in these environments: the most resistant woods are selected, which are finely worked and finished to give them an elegant and unmistakable appearance.

French luxury kitchens are also appreciated for their ability to fuse tradition and innovation impeccably. In fact, the classic French style is perfectly integrated with state-of-the-art technological solutions to offer an optimal user experience. All in all, these are versatile kitchens that can adapt to the needs and tastes of their users.

What makes French kitchens enjoyable to use is not only the elegance of the lines and the skilful design of the space. Carefully designed lighting, high-end appliances and intelligent storage solutions also make high-end French kitchens a worthwhile investment.

How to design French kitchens with a classic style?

To successfully design French kitchens in a classic style, it is necessary to balance respect for tradition, the quest for timeless elegance and attention to detail. When it comes to classic kitchens , the protagonist is undoubtedly wood, which is capable of warming and giving character to rooms. Classic French luxury kitchens are certainly no exception. In these rooms, wood can be either left in its natural colour (a good choice if you want to bring out the beauty of its grain) or varnished (the best choice if you want to add a touch of subtle colour).

In French kitchens, it is also common to find carved or carved wood elements: such solutions add prestige to the kitchen with little effort. Depending on your preference, you may decide to add frames to the decorative panels of the kitchen doors, or request carved wall units.

Traditional kitchens follow a rather linear arrangement of elements. Generally, the kitchen is arranged in a line along one wall or, if the room is large enough or the family is large, along two walls.

Those who want to balance tradition and modernity can also consider structuring the kitchen in a traditional style but then adding a large central island . In this way, the dictates of the classic style can be respected without sacrificing the practicality of contemporary organisational solutions.

When speaking of French luxury classic kitchens, reference is usually also made to rustic and Provençal kitchens. These rooms, characterised by a warm and cosy atmosphere, are characterised by the use of solid wood furniture, natural fibre textiles and the warm colours of the wood. Surrounding elements such as exposed beams, terracotta floors and wrought iron accessories contribute to giving the space a rustic and authentic charm, transporting the inhabitants into a typically French atmosphere.

How to design French kitchens with a contemporary style?

Designing a luxury French kitchen in a contemporary style requires a different approach to that taken for a more classical and traditional kitchen. In addition to respecting the spirit and elegance of the French style, it is necessary to incorporate some innovation and carefully select the materials to be used, combining traditional elements with modern and functional solutions.

In addition, contemporary luxury kitchens are often designed using made-to-measure or modular solutions, which allow for greater flexibility and customisation than alternative options. The layout of the kitchen is defined with the intended use in mind, with a focus on functionality and ergonomics of the space.

Unlike classic kitchens, in contemporary luxury kitchens it is common to leave appliances visible and to interpret them as design elements that blend in with the room as a whole. The lines of modern and contemporary kitchens tend to be minimalist, with a preference for clean shapes and light colours.

To warm up the atmosphere of contemporary French kitchens, one can play with the use of contrasting colours or the juxtaposition of different materials. For example, the combination of glossy and matt surfaces or the introduction of natural wood elements next to metallic finishes can create an intriguing and eye-catching visual effect.

Il Piccolo, a second generation family business, opens its showroom in Lugano. With over 50 years of experience, Il Piccolo brings with it a wealth of technical and design knowledge of the highest level, thanks to the many interiors designed and furnished around the world. In addition, Il Piccolo represents many of the best international luxury furniture brands. We design, manufacture and sell the best in design. Also with regard to La Cornue kitchens, we follow the customer from the design to the realisation of the project, integrating the whole process with a precise and professional service.CONTACT US