by Kristine Tucker

Created on: May 04, 2010   Last Updated: March 30, 2011

When you use the French salon decor theme for a bedroom, a world of whimsical fantasy enters the space. Decorating a French salon inspired bedroom invokes images of the theater combined with dark dramatic wood tones and eclectic accessories.  Colorfully artistic movie posters, luxurious designer fabrics, and larger than life furniture make for a strong impact in the bedroom.  A few basic tips from the French salon style will help create a romantic and artistic bedroom design.

One of the basic elements of decorating a French salon inspired bedroom is to choose wrought iron furniture that has a rustic Old World appeal.  When the decorative appeal of wrought iron is used for a bedroom headboard, the room takes on an elegant antique design. Complementing the room with a dark stained wooden dresser, a wrought iron or dark wood accent table, and an elaborate Old World wardrobe allows the room to reach its pinnacle of success. Wood toned furniture should be dark using materials and stains including chestnut, mahogany, or cherry wood.

To create a dramatic impact on the walls, add theater posters as expressive wall art.  The French salon inspired bedroom requires the addition of elaborately designed and elegantly printed dramatic movie theater or play production posters from the era. A wall sized Moulin Rouge poster with a dark wood frame provides a strong focal point for the bedroom design.  Smaller theater posters can be framed and hung on other walls facing or perpendicular to the large wall-sized piece.

In order to incorporate elegant materials into the French salon bedroom design, use luxurious fabrics on the bed and windows.  Exotic reds, purples, and golds in solid or patterned fabrics can be used to adorn the bed.  Fabrics with a shiny reflection like satin that include a metallic thread are especially appealing in the French salon design.  Gold satin sheets, animal print throw pillows, and suede throw blankets all provide theater drama to the bedroom design.

The French salon bedroom theme is complete when eclectic accessories are added to the space.  To fill a corner area, a tall wrought iron coat rack with an animal print scarf or jacket can be placed in one corner of the room.  The addition of wrought iron table accessories like a clock or picture frame can be used to decorate a furnishing.  To add a variety of textures to the room, a plush or animal print throw rug can be placed on the floor.  A stringy Hollywood style shawl can be thrown haphazardly across the bed or an accent chair. Wicker baskets, hampers, and accent chairs can be used as a final piece of room décor.

A French salon inspired bedroom is eclectic, sophisticated, and designer friendly. A home improvement project that includes the addition of a French inspired bedroom will bring new depth and inspiration to the home. The warm and elegant design is powerful and eye-appealing interior design.

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