French Style Furniture: The Louis XV and Louis XVI Look for Every Room
French style furniture stands for grace, balance and craftsmanship. Curved legs, carved ornament, painted and gilded surfaces and marble tops give it an instantly recognisable character. Its roots lie in the eighteenth century, in the salons and private apartments of the Louis XV and Louis XVI periods, and its appeal has never faded.
At Barockgroßhandel we supply French style furniture to hotels, restaurants, interior designers, retailers and private clients. Everything we offer is newly crafted in period style, not antique. It sits within our wider range of baroque furniture, which covers every room of the house.
Two looks: Louis XV and Louis XVI
The Louis XV style is the flowing one. Legs take the S shaped cabriole form, backs and aprons curve, and ornament is asymmetric: shells, scrolls, flowers and acanthus. It overlaps closely with rococo furniture, the most playful expression of the period.
The Louis XVI style returned to classical order. Legs became straight, tapered and fluted, backs turned oval or square, and ornament took the form of ribbons, laurel garlands, beading and medallions. Seating shows the difference best: compare a Louis XV chair with a Louis XVI chair and the contrast between curve and line is immediately clear.
Painted, gilded and polished finishes
Finish matters as much as form. Painted furniture in white, cream, grey or soft pastels was typical of private rooms, often with gilded highlights on the carving. Fully gilded pieces were reserved for the grandest salons. Polished mahogany and walnut, sometimes with brass or gilt bronze mounts, give a warmer and more restrained reading.
Upholstery completes seating: silk, damask, velvet and printed fabrics in floral patterns or stripes. Today white and gold remains the favourite combination, while silver leaf with lilac or turquoise upholstery offers a fresher, more contemporary accent for dining chairs.
Which pieces make a room read French
A few well chosen pieces are enough. In the living room, a French style sofa or settee with a carved frame and a pair of armchairs set the tone. A marble topped commode or a French style sideboard against the wall, with a gilded mirror above it, adds the classic focal point. A small French side table or lamp table beside the sofa completes the arrangement.
In the study, a French style desk or secretaire in mahogany with brass mounts brings order and elegance. In the bedroom, French style bedside tables and a French style chest of drawers are the natural starting point. A French style bookcase or display cabinet shows porcelain and books in a fitting frame.
The French style dining room
Dining is where the style is used most often in hotels and restaurants. French style dining chairs with carved frames, medallion backs and upholstered seats give a table real presence. Our range includes sets of four or six handcrafted dining chairs in combinations such as lilac and silver or turquoise and silver, as well as single chairs in gold with patterned fabric.
Pair the chairs with a French style dining table on carved or fluted legs, a sideboard for serving and a crystal chandelier above. For restaurants, choose robust upholstery fabrics in darker tones that stay attractive under intensive use.
Proportion is important at the table. Allow about 60 cm of table width per chair and around 90 cm behind each seat so guests can sit down and rise easily. Carved chair backs look best when they are not pushed tight against the table edge, so leave a little air between them. A pair of armchairs at the ends of the table adds a sense of hierarchy.
The French style bedroom
The bedroom is where many people first bring the French look into their home. A carved bed with an upholstered headboard, matching bedside tables and a wardrobe create a calm, harmonious space. White and gold or cream and gold are the typical colour schemes.
Our guide to French style bedroom furniture covers sets, planning and colour schemes, and leads on to beds, wardrobes, chests and dressing tables in detail. For the heavier and more dramatic side of period interiors, our feature on the baroque living room shows how the related baroque style shapes a salon.
New reproduction or antique French furniture
Genuine eighteenth century French furniture is rare, expensive and often fragile. Sizes can be impractical, drawers may stick and old upholstery rarely meets modern expectations of comfort. For daily use in homes and hotels, a well made reproduction is usually the better choice.
Our furniture is newly built from solid wood, carved and finished by hand in period style. It offers the look of the originals with the stability of a new piece, in dimensions suited to modern rooms. Prices for the pieces featured here range from roughly €290 for a single dining chair to around €2,400 for a carved writing desk.
Mixing French style with modern interiors
French style furniture does not require a period room. A single white and gold commode or a pair of carved armchairs can lift a modern apartment. The key is contrast: pale walls, clean lines elsewhere and one or two strong pieces. Our page on modern baroque furniture shows bolder, contemporary interpretations.
For more richly carved pieces across every category, see our overview of ornate furniture. To furnish a salon or lounge, browse our category of baroque style armchairs.
Our selection: French Style Furniture
View all items: Baroque Style Chest of Drawers
Frequently asked questions
What is French style furniture?
It is furniture in the manner of eighteenth century France, above all the Louis XV and Louis XVI styles. Typical features are curved or fluted legs, carved ornament, painted or gilded finishes and marble tops.
What is the difference between Louis XV and Louis XVI furniture?
Louis XV furniture is curved and asymmetric, with cabriole legs and rococo ornament. Louis XVI furniture is straighter and more classical, with tapered, fluted legs and garlands or medallions.
Is your French style furniture antique?
No. All our pieces are newly crafted reproductions in period style. You get the traditional look with the stability and practical sizes of new furniture.
Which piece should I buy first?
Start with the piece that anchors the room: a bed in the bedroom, a sofa or pair of armchairs in the living room, or a set of dining chairs. Add commodes, mirrors and side tables over time.
Does French style furniture work in a modern home?
Yes. One or two carved pieces in white and gold stand out beautifully against calm, modern surroundings. Keep the rest of the room simple.
Is French style furniture suitable for hotels and restaurants?
Yes. Our dining chairs, commodes and bedroom pieces are used in hotels, restaurants and boutiques. Choose durable upholstery for areas with heavy use.
How do I look after painted and gilded furniture?
Dust with a soft, dry brush or cloth and avoid water and household cleaners on gilded surfaces. Keep pieces out of direct sunlight and away from radiators.
The baroque world of Barockgroßhandel
- French Style Beds
- French Style Bedroom
- French Style Wardrobes
- French Chest of Drawers
- French Dressing Tables
- French Style Furniture
- Louis XV Chairs
- Louis XVI Chairs
- Rococo Furniture
- Venetian Mirrors
- Ornate Furniture
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