Homeowners in 2025 are craving a ‘lived-in’ kitchen renovation, and the soulful revolution is being spearheaded by two interior design trends: the elegant, French Country kitchen and the free-spirited, rule-breaking warmth of the Bohemian aesthetic.
On the surface, these two trends share similar DNA, but to confuse the two would be a fundamental error. One style developed in rural Provence (thanks to the traditions of the aristocracy), and the other can be traced back to the gritty rebellion of 19th-century Paris.
What are French Country kitchens?
French country kitchens do a good job of making you feel at home. These spaces have a sense of hardworking, rural, practicality, something that’s familiar even to city dwellers.
Freestanding armoires, exposed-beam ceilings, pre-loved tables, and tableware sourced from local markets all create an atmosphere of whimsy that feels lovingly curated. But these kitchens have a glamorous past.
The ‘refined’ side of French country kitchens began when the lines between the aristocracy and the rural communities started to blur.
In the 1700s (particularly under Louis XV), the French court’s fascination with rural retreats led to an increased demand for idealised, rustic escapes (a cultural movement known as ‘pastoralism’).
They brought touches of château refinement to ferme (‘farm’) homes (ornate mirrors, silverware, and fine linens), and this mingling of cluttered rusticism with bourgeoisie touches was later culturally immortalised.
The popularity of inspired, Impressionist painters (Paul Cézanne) and famous literary works (Peter Mayle's memoir A Year in Provenance) made this regional style feel aspirational, especially compared to the sterile, fitted kitchens you’d see in late-20th-century Britain.
In 2025, the French Country kitchen has shed some of its heavier, class-weighted roots for a more breathable interpretation called ‘Modern French Provincial’ (and you don’t need a farmhouse in Bordeaux to achieve it).
What are Bohemian kitchens?
Just as French Country design was born from the soil of a specific region, Bohemian design was born from a spirit of rebellion (and a case of mistaken identity). To find the true origins of Boho kitchens, we must look more closely at the artistic underbelly of 19th-century Paris.
The term ‘Bohemian’ is, itself, a historical misnomer; the French used the word bohémien to describe the Romani people who had migrated to France, mistakenly believing they had arrived from Bohemia in the Czech Republic.
These travellers were associated with a nomadic lifestyle, vibrant textiles, and a disregard for societal norms. By the mid-1800s, this term had been co-opted by impoverished artists and intellectuals living in Montmartre. This counter-cultural movement laid the foundation for an aesthetic that was defined by what it was not.
A Bohemian interior was the antithesis of the rigid, matching parlour sets of the Victorian era: it was a curated chaos of cast-offs and second-hand treasures, Moroccan lanterns, Indian block prints, rattan furniture and other global influences.
Today, not much has changed! Bohemian kitchens are an enduring celebration of global artistry and unconventional living. They favour organic clutter, they’re raw and tactile, and unlike French Country kitchens, a historical masterclass in rule-breaking.
Side-by-side: the look and feel
Although these interiors might seem like chalk and cheese, they share a love for all things lived-in.
They champion warmth and a sense of history over perfection (but they get there in completely different ways). That’s why we’ve broken down the specific design elements that define (and divide) these two iconic styles.
1. Cabinetry and joinery
Doors & cabinets: French country spaces rely on traditional ‘in-frame’ construction, where the door sits flush within a solid wood frame. You’ll typically see Shaker-style doors, often with detailing like internal beading or raised panels. Boho kitchens take an ‘unfitted’ approach. While you might find a flat-panel or simple Shaker door, it’s more common to remove the door entirely to create open shelving.
Skirting, cornices & panelling: The two styles diverge significantly here: French Country cabinetry often features elaborate cornices (moulding), decorative skirting and tongue-and-groove panelling. But (as to be expected), Bohemian design rejects these boundaries: cornices are rarely used, the tops of cabinets are usually left flat or open, and the skirting is functional rather than decorative.
2. Hardware, fixtures & fittings
Handles & knobs: Despite their rural roots, the hardware in French country kitchens is deliberately ornate: you’ll almost always find cup handles on drawers and solid mushroom knobs on the cupboard doors.
The materials skew towards ‘living’ finishes, designed to tarnish with touch: burnished brass and bronze are used around the entire kitchen to create a uniform look.
True to the spirit of rebellion, Bohemian kitchens treat hardware as an opportunity for curation. You might find hand-painted ceramic knobs on the upper units or even vintage bone handles sourced from a local marketplace.
Some abandon hardware altogether in favour of push-to-open mechanisms or cut-out handles.
Sinks & taps: If there is one non-negotiable element in a French Country kitchen, it is the Belfast or Butler sink. They are almost exclusively paired with a bridge mixer tap and a swan-neck spout, the metalwork often polished nickel or aged brass.
The Bohemian sink area is far less prescriptive. Ceramic sinks are still common, but they are just as likely as hammered copper basins. Taps could be vintage or industrial: a wall-mounted brass tap or a matte-black pull-out spray tap.
3. Materials & colours
Bohemian: Boho kitchens were once a riot of psychedelic colours, but now, they’re grounded in a palette of Earthy maximalism. The base is often warm (terracotta, rust, and spice tones), punctuated by deep, botanical greens and mustard yellows.
You might also see some Scandinavian influences, with a backdrop of whitewashed floors and pale timber that allow the colour to come solely from curated pieces.
When it comes to materials, Boho styles are all about raw texture: plywood, with its grain and layers, often sealed with a clear, matte oil, paired with rattan or cane webbing and a splashback of handmade Zellige tiles from Morocco.
French country: The French country palette is famously restrained. Inspired by the landscape of Provence, it’s a spectrum of sun-bleached hues: chalky whites, dove greys, and muted variations of greyed-off lavender blues.
Accents should be provided by the materials: worktops crafted from cool Carrara marble or honed granite, toile de jouy for blinds and seat pads, juxtaposed with limestone flooring.
4. Layout, storage & display
Bohemian: Boho kitchens eschew the ‘Kitchen Triangle’ we know so well in favour of a more social flow.
Rather than a fixed, monolithic kitchen island, the focal point may be a vintage dining table in the centre of the room. Storage is also deliberately visible: upper cabinets removed in favour of long, open shelves (where everything is out in the open).
On worktops, it’s common to see jars filled with pasta and spices, stacks of mismatched ceramic bowls, and cooking utensils hanging from simple S-hooks. It’s undoubtedly a maximalist approach.
French Country: French Country layouts have historically been centred around the hearth (typically a large range cooker framed by a decorative mantle or chimney breast).
Unlike the ad-hoc nature of Boho, the display here is disciplined. Storage may take the form of freestanding furniture pieces, such as a large glazed dresser or a tall larder cupboard (armoire) with door panels.
Items displayed will be utilitarian and carefully selected for their beauty: pans hanging from a ceiling rack, or a braided string of garlic hung near the worktop for practical convenience.
Shop for kitchens with Rehome!
If you’ve fallen in love with the French Country kitchen, you know that the look relies on quality. You can’t fake the weight of a solid oak drawer (and buying these kitchens brand new from high-end retailers can cost tens of thousands of pounds!)
By browsing our ex-display, pre-loved Shaker kitchens, you can get that premium craftsmanship (from luxury brands like Clive Christian and Smallbone of Devizes) for a fraction of the RRP.
Or, if you’re an aspiring Bohemian, Rehome is the most authentic place to start your journey! The lifestyle is built on sustainability, and what could be more Bohemian than giving a pre-loved kitchen a second life?
