The French farmhouse exterior is a mix of the old look of the French countryside and the simple look of an American farmhouse. The style of a French farmhouse is the best of both worlds, beauty, and practicality. In this style, there are often muted colors, raw wood, plaster walls, and wooden beams. It also has a lot of floral and botanical patterns.
When you walk into a French farmhouse home, you seem to the fragrant lavender fields of Provence. You are welcomed into a simple old-world paradise. Let’s take a look at how Farmhouse Rooms makes the outside of the farmhouse look like a French farmhouse.
The Stunning Characteristics Of French Country Farmhouse Exterior Style
A lot of what is around French farmhouses affects how they look on the outside. They tend to blend in with their surroundings, so the view isn’t interrupted.
The style is more like that of richly decorated Parisian homes. This is why they are also called “Provencal Residences.”
These homes range in size from small cottages to huge chateaux. They have inspired the Shabby Chic and Modern Farmhouse styles, which are both soft and fun.
Several Distinguishing Elements Of French Farmhouse Style Exterior
Exteriors in the French farmhouse style are instantly recognizable and incredibly charming. They have a fairy-like appearance, reminiscent of films right out of a dream. The real charm is endearing and certainly worth a look!
Several distinguishing elements of exteriors in the French farmhouse style include the following:
- A tall, slanted roof: Roof styles include hip, mansard, and plain gable. A sloping roof with all four corners pointing down is typical of French architecture. Most of these roofs are made of clay or barrel-shaped tiles. They are based on earthy colors like brown, red, and beige.
- Exposed natural facades: These dwellings are defined by their symmetry. As a result, they clad the façade in exposed natural stone or brick. Meanwhile, several French farmhouse exteriors may be found in Stucco as well.
- Windows with rectangular shapes: On French home facades, windows provide a particular personality. They are rectangular and tall to accentuate the façade’s height. These beautiful windows with many panes are lined up perfectly on both floors. They give the room a sense of balance.
- Two chimneys: A French farmhouse home is one with two tall chimneys on opposite sides.
- Quoins on the corner: One of the most eye-catching things in this style is its corner quoins. This gives the outside a soft look.
Colors Of A French Cottage Style Exterior
The style of French Hillside pays a lot of attention to its context and surroundings. So the most distinctive exterior colors for this style are lavender and earthy tones. For example, light green, beige, brown, and similar colors.
The French farmhouse style is an example to decorate a room in a luxurious way with unique patterns. When you look at the outside design more closely, you’ll see that red, white, and blue stand out the most.
These more vibrant hues enliven the romantic essence of the design style. The reds range from tomato to raspberry. The blues are from aqua to midnight blue. And the whites range from off-white to a variety of shades based on their undertones. A typical French farmhouse stands out because it has both a fancy and friendly feel.
Unique Exterior French Farmhouse Ideas For Your Home
1. The French Farmhouse Style Exterior With Lighting
At night, landscape lighting lights up the outside of this French farmhouse home. It also circles the driveway.
2. The White French Country Houses
The stone-paved road leads to the Tampa mansion. This has a classic white exterior and unique garage doors with glass panes. There are black metal details everywhere. You can see from the covered front door to the balcony doors on the second floor.
3. French Farmhouse Style Exterior With The Doors
Boxwoods enhance the curb appeal of this manor-style home. French farmhouse exterior doors have a curving transom window and weathered shutters. They add charm to this farmhouse manor style. Boxwoods in planters and flower boxes add a burst of color to the whitewashed brick on the outside of the house.
4. An Aerial View Of A French Country Houses
This amazing picture shows the large one-acre property of a French farmhouse. It also reveals a hardscaped driveway and a four-car garage.
5. Spring-Blooming Cherry Tree Garden
This is a wonderful garden. It has lush green grass, blossoming cherry trees, and purple hyacinths. The cherry trees are the most important part of the scene. Their light colors make the stone building stand out. A tiny patio area is equipped with a table and a few seats.
6. Dining Area With Imaginative Stone Archways
Stone arches frame views of the pool and cabana beyond and let fresh breezes into this loggia. On the other hand, a white table and chairs make the space look brighter and make it easier to talk to visitors.
Inspirations For Historical Shutters For A French Farmhouse
French shutters have been used to protect houses and buildings from the weather. They also add color to the outside of farmhouses. This photo will give you ideas and teach you about French shutters, or violets, as they are called in the area.
French shutters are not only decorative but also functional. Residents shut the shutters to provide privacy, reduce light, and insulate.
7. Excellent Condition French Shutters
This property exemplifies the vibrant use of shutters in French architecture. The pink structure makes a statement in and of itself. The lavender shutters and entrance add to the thrill of entering.
These French shutters are made up of flat panels with moving parts that can be closed to make a private space when needed. The rectangular holes at the top match the shape of the door and the row house. The angular shapes of the white trim make it look like it’s moving. It’s a perfect French farmhouse exterior idea that you should consider for your home.
8. Modern Exterior Shutters
This picture is a great example of how modern and old parts of Paris work well together. The building on the right was built before World War II. It has louvered French farmhouse shutters on the outside that add a traditional look.
With the mirrored glass on one side, the modern building on the left adds color and light around the windows. This building has a brand-new kind of French shutter with outside parts. It folds up and over the window openings like an accordion.
9. Shutters In The Rustic Style
The colors of the buildings around these shutters stand out because of how old and worn they look. The small hole at the top of the window is mirrored in the arch of the shutters. This makes it possible to shut them all the way if needed.
The star cutouts visually appeal to an otherwise extremely flat piece of wood. The plants in front of the window also add to the natural beauty of the French farmhouse.
10. French Farmhouse With Shutters And Vibrant Colors
This whole neighborhood is awash in exquisite color combinations on houses, doors, and outside shutters. This white mansion with brilliant blue accents is one of the most stunning.
The horizontal flat panels on the door match the vertical flat panels on the shutters. The geometric pattern is continued with the wrought-iron window box parts. The rectangular cut-outs on the blue shutters complete this external style.
11. Shutters For A French Farmhouse
This buttery yellow house is well complemented with kelly green shutters. The top part of the board and batten shutters has an interesting pull design. This makes it easier to grab and close the shutters from the inside.
The shutter tieback on these shutters has a face of a woman. This is hard to see in this photo. This home’s inviting entryway is completed with olive trees in brilliant blue containers.
12. Shutters In Solid White
This is another row of French cottage-style exteriors. It has an interesting color scheme and a relaxed entry filled with potted plants. The rich navy-paneled door truly pops against the white trim and light blue body of the building. The fact that the wooden shutters can be opened and shut shows that the panels can move. This house has had white shutters with diamond-shaped cuts in them for many years.
13. French Country Shutters
The durability of high-quality wood shutters is evident in this case. These old blue louvered shutters might need a fresh coat of paint. They are also in good shape and can be used for many more years. More than half of the window is covered by these outside French country shutters. But there is still room for the wrought iron piece at the bottom.
14. Residence With Handcrafted Wood Shutters
This estate has bespoke wood shutters and natural stone wainscoting. That gives it a quaint but beautiful appearance. The design is more formal because it has beautiful wood doors and details made of wrought iron.
15. White French Farmhouse With Blue Shutters
The sun goes down softly behind this French farmhouse exterior mansion. It has a typical white facade and blue window shutters. The windows on this two-story house on a neatly planted one-acre site let in soft light.
Related: 24 Wonderful Colonial Farmhouse Exterior Design Ideas
Beautiful French Farmhouse Furniture Ideas For A Cozy Home
There is nothing quite like sipping a nice cup of tea on a farmhouse porch each morning.
Farmhouse porches that are well-designed seem snug and welcoming while still being stylish. They’re very bright, have a lot of foliage, and have interesting signs. They also have gingham or buffalo-checked patterns.
If you’re looking for ideas on how to make this style your own, these porch ideas will give you the coziest feeling.
16. Consider Placing A Gingham Rug
The black and white gingham porch mat has taken over Pinterest. It doesn’t look like it’s going anywhere soon.
Most people use a small gingham rug on top of a welcome mat. But you can go a step further and use a big, colorful rug like the one shown. These rugs look great on the front of any French farmhouse exterior and make a strong statement.
17. Upgrade To Matte Black Lighting
If you’re a fan of contemporary farmhouse front porch décor, keep it simple and prioritize quality. This can be done with simple decorations that don’t take away from the front door. It should be the main attraction.
For an elegant French farmhouse look, replace your fixtures with matte black ones.
18. Increase Visibility By Placing A Large Sign
Large “welcome” and “home” signs are a key part of the French farmhouse-style porch decor. This is a great choice. It comes with three wreaths that can be switched out and used at different times of the year.
Alternatively, you might find signs that have your last name or a personal phrase on them.
19. Utilize Rocking Chairs To Create Seating
Modern French farmhouse exterior design is all about fusing modern and old. Rocking chairs have been around since the 1700s. So it’s not surprising that they are such an important part of French farmhouse design.
Indeed, nothing beats a decent rocking chair for creating a peaceful atmosphere. You may go for a trendy style with these black chairs or a more classic one with wood.
20. A Chalkboard Sign
Chalkboard signs are excellent for creating personalized artwork. They may be utilized as a backdrop for photographs or to greet new visitors.
The size of this blackboard sign is ideal for a porch. Change the phrase as the seasons change, or allow your children to create their porch signs.
21. French Farmhouse With A Porch Swing
If you have the room, consider adding a porch swing to your French farmhouse exterior decor. Porch swings not only give you and your guests more places to sit, but they also look great on a farmhouse porch.
You may choose a plain white swing like the one seen above, or a wood or black swing. They all exude the quintessential rustic atmosphere.
Further readings:
- 19+ Best Scandinavian Farmhouse Exterior Remodeling Ideas
- The Best 1900 Farmhouse Exterior Design: 19+ Wonderful Ideas
Above is the update on the 21 best French farmhouse exterior ideas to upgrade. The exterior is an important element that creates the first impression for everyone. Farmhouse Rooms is all about giving you all the useful information you need. We hope it will help you to make your farmhouse a beautiful and timeless place to live. And if you fall in love with farmhouse style, don’t hesitate to visit our website for inspiration.
