The Best French Country Paint Colors from Sherwin Williams & Benjamin Moore
Let’s talk about something that instantly transforms a home: color.
If you love the effortless charm of French Country interiors, you already know that the right paint colors can make all the difference.
Soft, muted tones? Aged patinas? A touch of warm, timeworn elegance? Oui, oui, et oui!
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But here’s the thing: choosing the perfect French Country paint color isn’t always easy.
There are so many shades of white, blue, and beige.
How do you know which one will actually work in your space?
Trust me, I get it.
You don’t want something too bright, too cool, or too dull. You want that perfect, lived-in, effortlessly chic look.
That’s exactly why Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore are my go-to brands when it comes to French Country interiors.
Their palettes offer timeless, sophisticated hues. Think creamy whites, powdery blues, warm greiges, and soft greens—all with that perfectly aged, slightly faded charm.
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Ready to dive in?
Let’s explore the best French Country paint colors that will give your home that authentic, effortless French charm.
Trust me, you’re going to love these!
What Are French Country Paint Colors?
If you’ve ever admired the soft, lived-in elegance of a French Country home, you’ve probably noticed that the color palette plays a huge role in creating that effortlessly charming look.
But what exactly defines French Country paint colors?
The secret lies in nature-inspired, timeworn hues—colors that feel as if they’ve gently aged over time.
Think of the chalky whites of old stone cottages, the powdery blues of Provençal shutters, the sunbaked ochres of French farmhouses, and the muted greens of garden gates.
These shades are never too bold or too bright; they’re soft, subtle, and oh-so-inviting.
Here’s a quick rundown of the classic French Country color families:
- Soft Neutrals – Warm whites, creamy beiges, and gentle grays (perfect for walls and trim).
- Powdery Blues – Weathered, grayish blues that feel aged yet elegant.
- Earthy Yellows & Ochres – Reminiscent of sun-drenched Provençal facades.
- Muted Greens – Sage, olive, and gray-greens inspired by lush French gardens.
- Lavender & Terracotta Accents – Soft touches that bring depth and a subtle rustic charm.
Want to dive deeper into the French Country color palette and discover how to combine these hues in your home?
I’ve put together a detailed guide with curated color schemes and inspiration.
👉 Check out my full guide to the French Country Color Palette here!
Now that we’ve covered the basics of French Country colors, let’s get into the best Sherwin Williams & Benjamin Moore paint colors to help you achieve the look.
Ready? Let’s go!
The Best French Country Paint Colors from Sherwin Williams & Benjamin Moore
Now that we’ve covered the essence of French Country colors, let’s get into the real stars of the show—the actual paint colors that bring this timeless look to life.
Whether you’re looking for soft neutrals, powdery blues, sun-washed yellows, or modern French Country tones, I’ve got you covered.
And because I know that seeing is believing, I’ll also share some visual ideas so you can picture exactly how these shades will work in your home.
French Country White Paint Colors
White is the foundation of French Country interiors.
But not just any white!
The perfect French Country white is never stark.
It’s warm, soft, and slightly aged, giving a lived-in elegance that feels welcoming and effortless.
These white colors are the best choices for walls as well as for trim:
Sherwin Williams
French Country Neutral Paint Colors
Neutrals are the backbone of French Country interiors, offering a timeless, versatile backdrop that pairs effortlessly with natural materials and vintage elements.
These soft, warm hues create a relaxed, elegant atmosphere while allowing furniture and decor to shine.
Feeling overwhelmed by color choices?
I get it—choosing the right paint colors can be tricky. It’s easy to fall in love with a shade on a sample card, only to realize it doesn’t quite work once it’s on the walls.
If you’d love a little guidance in creating a color scheme that feels effortless and cohesive, my e-book Tailored Color Palette Made Easy can help. It walks you through simple steps to curate a palette that not only looks beautiful but truly works for your home and style.
French Country Blue Paint Colors
French Country homes often include soft, weathered blues that mimic the shutters, doors, and textiles of the French countryside.
These hues are calm, muted, and slightly grayish, making them perfect for a relaxed and sophisticated space.
French Country Green Paint Colors
Green is a quintessential French Country color, bringing a touch of nature indoors.
From soft sage to rich olive, these muted green shades have an elegant, timeworn feel—perfect for a cozy, rustic atmosphere.
Green works beautifully on cabinetry, furniture, or even as an accent wall to complement neutrals and warm wood tones.
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French Country Pink and Purple Paint Colors
Muted pinks and purples add a romantic, vintage feel to French Country interiors.
These colors work beautifully in bedrooms, dining rooms, or even as a statement piece on furniture.
Soft rosy hues bring warmth and femininity, while muted purples evoke the charm of aged lavender fields in Provence.
French Country Yellow & Earthy Tones
Warm, sun-drenched yellows and earthy ochres are signature tones in French farmhouses and châteaux.
These shades add a sense of history, warmth, and rustic elegance, reminiscent of aged plaster walls in Provence.
Which Color is Right for You?
Still trying to decide?
I’ve put together a free guide with 8 curated French Country color schemes (+ paint names!) to help you find the perfect palette.
Always remember:
Once you’re ready to paint your walls:
Choose the room you want to renovate first
Determine what French country color you want for the walls.
Pick one French country paint color
Pick two to six other colors that are similar to the color you already selected, the ones that seem darn close as well as a few that look a shift different.
Order samples.
Once received, compare samples on your wall and try to figure out which undertone they have. Move them around the room to see how they shift in different lighting and just decide which one you prefer!
The best French country paint colors for furniture & decor
It’s amazing how a coat of paint can transform the look of a piece of furniture.
Look at this before and after from Christy (Our Southern Home blog).
Quite impressive, right?
I’m sure you also have a piece of furniture whose look doesn’t fit your taste anymore. Maybe it feels too dark, too heavy, or just… outdated.
Yes, look carefully. It could be in your attic, garage, or even in your living room. Or maybe it’s something smaller—a picture frame, a shelf, a vase, or a lamp—that could use a fresh look.
Well, I challenge you to pick one and repaint it.
Trust me, it’s so easy, and once you start, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner!
And don’t worry—I’ll show you exactly how to create a gorgeous French Country-style painted effect.
Step 1: Choosing the Perfect French Country Color
French Country furniture is all about soft, muted tones that feel like they’ve aged beautifully over time.
The easiest way to get it right? Stick to neutrals. You’re almost guaranteed a perfect match!
But if you want a pop of color, here are some timeless French Country hues:
- Warm Neutrals – Antique white, linen, farmhouse beige, greige
- Soft Blues – French blue, dusty blue, slate gray
- Gentle Greens – Sage green, olive, gray-green
- Romantic Pastels – Pale pink, lavender, faded peach
💡 Pro tip: When in doubt, go for chalky, faded colors—nothing too bright or too modern!
Step 2: The Right Paint for a Vintage Look
I promised you it was going to be easy, and it will be.
As long as you use chalk paint.
Sherwin Williams & Benjamin Moore paints are great for walls but are less suitable for the vintage finish we want for French furniture and decor.
So, what is chalk paint?
It’s a decorative paint known for its chalky appearance, perfect to give the furniture vintage and rustic touch.
It differs from traditional paint in several ways: it doesn’t require any prep work, you can use it on pieces that have cracks or a lot of details and it’s less likely to drip.
Also, chalk paint is water-based so it’s easier to manage.
To paint my pieces of furniture, I use this paint.
It’s very easy to use, and affordable, and the colors are perfect for a French country look.
I highly recommend it.
To keep it easy, you’ll need to choose suitable brushes and wax.
If it’s the first time you plan to use this kind of paint, no need to rack your brain.
All you have to do is choose your color.
- My favorite chalk paint colors for a French Country look:
- French Blue – Soft, dusty, and classic.
- Lilac Grey – A hint of lavender for a touch of romance.
- Bliss – A muted blue-green with a vintage feel.
- Farmhouse Beige – Warm and inviting.
- Petit Château – A perfect soft gray.
- Antique White – Timeless and elegant.
Simply order the paint, the wax, the brush, and sanding pads.
Step 3: Creating the Perfect French Country Finish
French Country furniture looks as if it has survived years of wear and tear with worn-off spots and imperfections.
But you don’t have to wait decades for your furniture to look old.
The idea is to simulate a weathered finish.
How? With a distressing technique.
You just need to use sandpaper, and rub away the topcoat on areas that typically receive the most use, including drawer fronts, table legs, corners, edges…
But since a video is worth a thousand words, here’s a short one explaining the technique.
It doesn’t look so scary, does it?
To motivate you to get started, here’s the before/after of our dining room, all furniture pieces have been painted with chalk paint and we’re delighted with the result!
The best French country paint colors for furniture & decor
As you now know, a French country home is mostly made of neutral colors.
Neutrals are timeless and allow your furniture and decor to stand out.
I like to say that the first neutral to choose is white.
Why?
Because white is the most used color in French homes.
Then choose your other neutral colors.
It can be gray, beige, greige, linen, taupe, or anthracite.
And for some people, it may end there. A lot of French houses are made only of neutral colors.
But other people like to add a bit of color – always soft and muted – like light green, red ocher, french blue, pale pink or yellow ocher.
➞ Just choose according to your tastes, and always sample your paint first.
And if you need more help choosing your color palette, check out Tailored Color Palette Made Easy.
With this guide, you won’t have to second-guess your choices or feel overwhelmed by endless paint swatches.
I’ll walk you through the process step by step so you can confidently create a harmonious French country color scheme that truly fits your home.
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2 thoughts on “The Best French Country Paint Colors from Sherwin Williams & Benjamin Moore”
So many good tips. I am dying to paint furniture or walls. Thanks for sharing!
Jan
I live in a 1924 bungalow,its 800 sq.ft with oak cabinet. Do I start with the furniture, paint cabinet or walls first And love the French provincial style. How do I start.
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