The shift away from minimal decorating has resulted in a wide-reaching love for more collected styles, with designers creating spaces inspired by the past. The return to more characterful design means that vintage styles are being unearthed and revived, resulting in long-established styles becoming part of the current interior design trends.
In light of this shift, we've noticed one particular style that's received much recent appreciation. Dubbed the 'bistro' aesthetic, the look takes its name from the classic French restaurant. You'll see all the typical Parisian motifs in a bistro-style kitchen, from café curtains to mosaic tiles, they're all elements of the iconic, European look that anyone (French or not) is bound to recognize.
Speaking with interior designers, we've learned exactly how to transform your kitchen into a romantic bistro in the spirit of this iconic French style.
1. Introduce vintage furniture
The bistro look is all about blending the old and new. It's a style inspired by the interiors of early 20th-century cafes and restaurants, so it makes sense that vintage furniture is crucial when recreating the look.
Furniture can drastically alter the feel and style of any space. In the case of the bistro kitchen, there are a few key pieces to consider. A classic bistro-style chair would be well suited, along with a round wooden table, a duo reminiscent of café layouts.
Helen Parker, Creative Director of deVOL recommends the classic French chair. 'The Bentwood Café Chair is rooted in café culture and so iconic in shape, yet also so humble and almost too simple to seem desirable. But oh how desirable they are, how easily they will fit into every type of décor inside or out, and how perfect they always look, no exceptions! You may want just two, tucked in a little corner of the room, wrapped around a bistro table or you may need six all sitting in a shapely row. Whatever you require you can be happy knowing they always, most always, look just right.'
Whatever you do, don't hold back on the wood. Whether it's a vintage open dresser displayed with plates or a sturdy butcher's block table, wooden furniture is a big part of bistro kitchens.
2. Hang café curtains
There's been a recent love towards a certain furnishing style, often found in the background of kitchens and pantries. Dubbed 'café curtains', these dainty ruched drapes make a space feel more secluded and intimate while still allowing light to filter through.
Often found in restaurants to make the space feel cozy and inviting, café curtains are a quick yet necessary addition to a bistro-style kitchen. If you don't want to switch out your current kitchen window treatment, cover open shelving with white sheer fabric to create a café-inspired look.
And it doesn't have to be the typical linen curtains. Helen suggests 'Drape vintage lace in your window, or simply add a touch of Parisian café culture to your home with gloriously simple aged brass café curtain rails.'
A classic choice, the Emery curtains will integrate into any kitchen, of any style.
Finished in a warm cinnamon shade, this pair of linen curtains will bring a coziness while still allowing light to filter through.
Bringing a rustic charm with classic stripes, these café curtains are the perfect subtle accessory for any kitchen.
3. Display antique pieces
Past styles have inspired today's version of the bistro look. That's why it's important to decorate with vintage pieces that will make your kitchen feel authentic and cozy.
'French bistro style to me is bright and hard-wearing, with a mix of modern and vintage elements.' says Kate Towill, Co-Founder and Creative Director of Basic Projects. Kate has designed the interiors of many restaurants, so knows a thing or two about recreating the bistro look and bringing it into the everyday home.
Decorate your kitchen shelves with antique-style storage tins, ceramic pots, or vintage plates to create an eclectic, lived-in space that harks back to the kitchens of French restaurants. 'In our Mathersfield kitchen, we included old vintage pendant lights over the island, an antique French wine tasting table in the breakfast area, and cool “found” objects like brass candlesticks, vases, and mustard jars to decorate the counters and shelves.' says Emily Griffin, co-founder of Griffin Houghton.
4. Cover walls or floors in classic tiles
No bistro-style kitchen is complete without a classic tile selection. There are plenty of tile trends this year but a few options feel instantly French, inspired by the bars and diners found on the streets of Paris.
You would have seen the instantly recognizable hexagonal-shaped mosaics in interiors all over. They usually come in black and white and look best on as a kitchen floor tile. 'We love the look of tiles on both the walls and floors!' says Kate. Paired with cream subway tiles around your backsplash, your space will encompass the true French look.
Emily opts for subway tiles in her bistro kitchen look. She says to use 'contrast grout in charcoal or black paired with the white tiles.' This will create a more aged, vintage feel reminiscent of the public subway tunnels found in Paris.
5. Opt for a minimal color palette
Although color adds an all-important dose of warmth and vitality in any space, it's not one to overuse when designing a bistro-inspired kitchen. You want to avoid overly loud shades and opt for more subtle and classic tones.
Choose a kitchen color that will cover your walls or tiles (a pale grey or cream is a classic choice) and pair this with a richer hue. A deep navy or burgundy would make the perfect addition to an empty wall and will act as a luxurious feature point. Emily suggests 'a simple palette of white, black and blue which you can elevate with unlacquered brass accents whether in lighting, plumbing fixtures or cabinet hardware.'
Although minimal color palettes can feel cold, you'll be enhancing the pale shade by incorporating other warm accents such as metallics and wood tones.
6. Introduce classic finishes
Heritage is a key feature of the bistro style so it's important to avoid overly modern finishes and features and opt for more classic alternatives.
Emily recommends, 'Natural stone countertops, specifically a classic Carrara marble that will patina over time'. Marble is guaranteed to withstand years of spillages, making it a great choice for all kitchens. Its luxurious qualities pair well with a bistro kitchen, only enhancing the elegance of the style by tying in with the vintage accents.
While aesthetics are an important factor to consider when designing a kitchen, functionality is definitely not one to ignore. Any kitchen needs to be hardwearing and practical, so opt for suitable finishes and lasting materials that meet your culinary needs. 'It is important the kitchen is very durable and easy to wipe down' says Kate.
7. Add a breakfast nook
Bistros were designed to be smaller, a more intimate option than the standard restaurant. Cozy and snug, the historic bistro was filled with small round tables and Bentwood chairs in its corners and nooks.
If space allows, create a café corner or breakfast nook beside a window or in an alcove of your kitchen. Introduce a round wooden table, vintage-style chairs, and some sheer drapes for a French-inspired seating arrangement that couldn't be better to start your day in.
For bigger families, there are more practical options. 'A fitted bench seat can offer a lovely café vibe to your room and gives much more comfortable seating (and storage options).' says Helen. 'It also creates more than just a seating area, a dedicated area that becomes a separate vignette and feels welcoming, comfy and cocoon-like.'
Remember to introduce a variety of textures. Plush fabric will create a softer side that is important when creating a relaxed, welcoming kitchen. An upholstered dining chair or armchair would pair well in a nook. 'Those softer pieces can be a poppy runner or an upholstered seating nook, in outdoor fabrics, or easily removable to wash.' says Kate.
8. Install quality equipment
If you're going for a full redesign, switch out your more modern stove for a more classic design. The stove is the heart of a kitchen, so Emily suggests opting for a first-rate model like a Lacanche as this will only elevate the space and coordinate with the classic French pieces. 'A killer range hood and range is important. If you can afford a Lacanche then do it!' she says.
9. Hang pendant lighting
Lighting is an important part of the French bistro look. You'll typically see many warm bulbs hanging from the ceiling in a bistro, usually round in shape and vintage in style.
Pendant lighting will provide that all-important cozy glow above your kitchen, allowing for ample cooking and dining. A spherical-shaped pendant is the most obvious choice, but many other vintage-style lights would work too. Industrial-style, bell-shaped shades will give your kitchen an aged, rustic feel and match other brass accents. Or for a more delicate look, try intricately carved glass pendants that feel antique in style, resonating with the historic bistro look.
Remember to place your overhead lighting above your breakfast nook too, to ensure you have an intimate, warm area for relaxing and dining.
Place three of the Hicks Pendants above a kitchen island for a statement trio of vintage-inspired lighting.
Delicately pleated, this pretty stoneware pendant lamp would look best hung above a small round table for a truly romantic setting.
Industrial in style, this Bell Cord Pendant is the perfect choice for the more minimal lovers.
10. Decorate with cookware
Decorating with cookware is a popular method in all styles of kitchens. Vintage copper pans or wooden utensils bring a lived-in charm that adds to the warmth of the space.
No French bistro-style kitchen is complete without some vintage cookware. There are plenty of ways to turn your kitchenware into decor, like hanging hand-painted plates on the wall or creating a glassware shelf. These methods can make the kitchen feel rustic and eclectic and will only add to the charm of your French-inspired kitchen.
Fitted with a chic gold handle, this French-style frying pan is the perfect piece to hang from a pot rack.
Vintage in style, this stoneware pot will hold your kitchen utensils and give your kitchen a farmhouse charm.
Hang several mini copper pots above your countertop or stove for an eclectic, French-inspired display.
It's important to consider the history of the bistro look by incorporating classic, vintage style elements into your kitchen design. Whether you introduce a cozy breakfast nook or hang antique pendant lights, there are plenty of ways to draw inspiration from the long-established, ever-chic style.
