Ideas for decorating a small kitchen in Provence style

A small room disposes to coziness, so it is logical to equip it in the Provence style. Home and romantic people will love tablecloths, curtains with ruffles from natural fabrics, poufs and a blanket on the kitchen bench, cute figurines, vases, flowers on the windowsill. Of course, Provence is oversaturated with furniture and can constrain an already small kitchen, but designers have several tricks on this score.

Provence came to us from the south of France, from pretty villages with lavender fields and seascapes. The combination of meadow greenery, field and sea space is reflected in the naturalness and simplicity of the style, its palette of colors (lavender, white, blue and other light muted shades).

Provence has a number of its own characteristics.

• The color scheme is light, not tolerating harsh shades, only halftones. It seems that the interior has faded slightly from time to time.
• Natural materials are involved in the decoration: wood, tiles, possibly whitewash.
• There is a lot of furniture in Provence: retro cabinets, cabinets, sideboards. If it is not possible to purchase rough antique pieces of furniture, their imitation is created by using the technique of patination or decoupage.
• Natural textiles are very important: linen, cotton fabrics, woolen blankets, matting rugs.
• Decor abounds in this style. For him, open shelves are specially provided. Beautiful jars for spices, candlesticks, shells and flowers must fill even a small kitchen.

The basis of Provence is comfort, tranquility, grace and simplicity, the atmosphere is conducive to romantic relaxation. The stylization of such a kitchen begins not with decor and textiles, but with renovations: wall, ceiling and floor decoration.

A small room should be light, this will add volume and maintain style. The appearance of the walls can have several options.

• Wallpaper on a natural basis are allowed with folk ornaments and small floral prints. But even in a calm color scheme, the drawing will dazzle. Furniture in such cases is selected monochromatic. It should be remembered that variegated walls visually reduce the space. To expand it, the striped floral ornament must lie horizontally.

• The second option - a neutral gentle tone is selected for the walls, which must come into harmony with the future furniture. This can be painted in muted matte shades or colored plaster. The monotony of the walls will allow you to emphasize the numerous decor, colorful textiles, beautiful dishes, and use the decoupage technique to decorate furniture.

• In a small kitchen, a 3D drawing with a perspective is successfully playedby making an accent wall or placing it on a work apron. A flower meadow, a calm sea on a sunny day will take your gaze beyond the horizon and "push back" the wall.

• You can use wooden lining in light colors, but it should be remembered that it will take away part of the space of an already small kitchen.

• Brickwork is also allowed in the Provence style, but it should be painted to match the walls. Such a finish will not add volume to the room, so small rooms can afford to decorate only one wall with natural brick.

The ceiling should not be covered with wallpaper or decorated with stretch gloss. It is better to just whitewash or paint it in light colors..

Wooden beams are appropriate here, reminiscent of the windows of rural houses. But small kitchens cannot always afford it due to low ceilings.

A Provence style kitchen doesn't have to look "as good as new". Looking at the furniture, one should get the impression that it has been here for a long time, has its own history, energy, soul. If it is not possible to purchase antiques, it should be imitated using various aging techniques.

The kitchen often contains a variety of furniture: sideboards, shelves, chests of drawers, hanging shelves. They somehow miraculously create a unified environment.

Glass and stained glass are welcomed as furniture inserts. In the dining area, you can put a small table with wrought iron legs, and place pillows on the chairs. Cover the work surface with an artificial stone.

The technique does not fit well with the rustic style of old France. But we are modern people and “life in the old-fashioned way” is a game for us, not everyday reality, we cannot refuse progress. In Provence, they use different techniques, trying to smooth out the technical side of the project.

Small appliances - a toaster, a combine, a coffee maker, are hidden behind furniture facades. Large - oven, refrigerator, try to acquire with a less noticeable appearance.

Having made the right repairs and purchasing the necessary furniture, it is still impossible to achieve comfort and achieve quick recognition of Provence. Textiles and decor are the most important elements of kitchen styling.

Light warm colors of textiles should have a washed, slightly faded look, which is quite logical with "aged" furniture.

For curtains, you will need linen or cotton of soft warm undertones: olive, milk, cream, turquoise, blue. The same curtains can be used to hang an open rack with wicker baskets and kitchen utensils, or hide modern technology items behind them.

Provence is characterized by an abundance of small details that should emphasize the design and the naturalness of the environment. The kitchen is decorated with flowers in pots, herbaria, cages with birds, paintings of floral themes in warm natural colors.

For a small kitchen with a shortage of exhibition space, you can limit yourself to flowers, small, precious things, and the rest of the shelves can be practically occupied with beautiful dishes, original jars with cereals and spices.

An overview of the Provence style kitchen is in the video below.