How to Give Your Kitchen a French Bistro Theme

Transform the kitchen into a welcoming haven of French style with simple decorative choices like classic black-and-white checker patterns, pastoral artwork, decorative (yet functional) foods and designated food and beverage stations. It's relatively easy to find French-inspired decorative items at discount department stores to give your kitchen an authentic bistro theme. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Paint the kitchen walls a shade of deep red or wine, like burgundy or medium purple. If you want to use lighter hues, opt for a rich peachy brown or light golden brown similar to a white wine. Or, paint an accent wall in a classic bistro black and white checkered pattern.

2

Tile the floors or counters to coordinate with the walls. For instance, install black and white tiles to go with red walls, or use aubergine tiles to coordinate with tan or champagne-colored walls.

3

Add bistro-style chairs and a table to the most prominent corner of the space in wrought iron or light colored wood. Place a small flower arrangement of roses in the center of the table to enhance the theme. Or create an edible centerpiece by filling a bread basket with French pastries or baguettes.

4

Display wine in a case or rack near the bistro table, or place bottles of wine in decorative holders on the kitchen counter closest to the table so you can easily serve your guests.

5

Hang prints of the French countryside or black and white prints of people in a French bistro. House the prints in sophisticated gold or silver or plain black to match the classic bistro theme.

6

Set up a coffee machine in another corner of the room on a small table or counter. Hang decorative mugs on hooks around the coffee machine, or place them on tables nearby.

7

Add kitchen rugs and dish cloths to complete the bistro theme. For instance, dish towels embroidered with words like "Voila" or "Bon Appetit" can brighten up the kitchen space, along with dark red or black and white area rugs for the front of the refrigerator, sink or underneath the bistro table.