Ideas for Bistro Kitchens

A bistro kitchen is chic but practical. This design style maximizes space, so it's perfect for a small kitchen or apartment. A French bistro gives a new home an old-world feel while still being practical for a family. Does this Spark an idea?

Bistro Style

The word "bistro" is associated with a small French restaurant. Use French style when decorating your kitchen. There are several different directions your kitchen can go in. A French country kitchen would include yellow cabinets with an antique glaze and plaster-finish walls. Accent the room with medium wood tones or a butcher block island. A more traditional French kitchen would feature silk curtains, sleek white cabinets with carved accents and toile fabric. A modern take on a bistro includes gray cabinets with open wine storage and crisp white linens.

Black and white tile or linoleum is chic and inexpensive. Show off any architectural elements of your home, like exposed brick or wood beams, to give a sense of history to your bistro. Make your appliances blend in by creating a kitchen with white walls and cupboards. A few pops of color like a bright red cookie jar or trim on the window treatments add color to the kitchen.

Bistro tables are usually round and made from iron. Pair them with a traditional small bistro chair. You may be able to find bistro furniture in the garden or outdoor department. If you need to seat more than two people, try placing several small tables throughout the kitchen to give it a true cafe feeling.

Window Treatments

Window treatments are a signature in bistros. Awnings often adorn the outside of bistros. Bring the same idea into your kitchen. Mount two flat cafe rods to create a faux indoor awning. Use a combination of hot glue, sewing and fusible webbing to create a scalloped edge on the awning. Stick with a traditional stripe or French toile to complete the effect. Cafe curtains cover half of the window and give bistro flair to an ordinary breakfast nook or kitchen window.

Accents

Accent pieces will bring the bistro feeling to your room on a budget. When you go to a bistro, the table is ready and waiting for you. Keep the table set with a simple white cloth topped with a vase of fresh flowers or candles. Feature a large chalkboard on a pedestal with a written menu, or use it as a message board for family communication. Sunflowers, topiaries and roosters add a casual elegance that is evocative of the French countryside.