Belgian style showcases an appreciation of the natural world, and its focus is all on bringing the raw and textural indoors.
This style is streamlined and relaxed, using organic, salvaged materials & warm, earthy hues to achieve simplicity and elegance.
This style features a masterful juxtaposition of old and new elements. For example, rough ceramics are styled next to a modern light fixture, while simple, clean profile chairs sit alongside a weathered, repurposed dining table.
Table of Contents
OUR TOP 10 BELGIAN DESIGN TIPS
BELGIAN-STYLE COLOUR PALETTE
The Belgian style colour palette is characterised by earthy neutrals and a muted colour scheme of creamy whites, charcoal, natural tans, warm greys, aubergine, and burnt umber.
These are complemented by muted yellows, khaki greens & dark blues, sand, brown, beige, and layers of chalky lime wash for depth and visual interest.
The use of natural materials of unfinished woods, rustic iron, and stone-washed linens provide a relaxed and calm feeling throughout the home.
Photo Source: Axel Vervoordt
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Photo Source: Suzie Anderson Home & Axel Vervoordt
BELGIAN-STYLE ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES
In Belgian homes, the right stonework or piece of recycled timber can be just as interesting as any other decorative component in the room.
The original architecture includes ancient, recycled beams, high-pitched ceilings, timeworn iron industrial doors that may have been sourced from an old factory, textured walls exhibiting an aged patina, raw timber cladding, and rough stone flooring.
Photo Source: Architectural Digest
BELGIAN-STYLE FLOORING
Flooring includes up-cycled pine or oak floorboards, flagstone recycled flooring, or raw concrete with hand-woven natural sisal, seagrass, or jute rugs for softness underfoot.
Photo Source: Architectural Digest
BELGIAN-STYLE LIGHTING
Ambient lighting includes drop pendants of enamel, ceramic, glass, or iron, as well as rustic metal chandeliers, sometimes featuring heavy dome fabric shades with iron hardware.
Accent lighting includes wall sconces of aged bronze, nickel, and glass, sometimes featuring natural or black linen shades.
Task lighting is architectural in style, and table and floor lamps are made from heavy bottom ceramic, concrete, carved timber, or iron, with textural, natural linen shades.
Set the mood with iron-framed glass lanterns, wood floor pillar candleholders, and vintage iron candlesticks to frame entryways, hallways, and dining rooms.
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Photo Source: Suzie Anderson Home
BELGIAN-STYLE WINDOW TREATMENTS
Window treatments are generally natural linen, sheer, or heavy-lined curtains hanging on simple iron rods.
Photo Source: The Post Hotel
BELGIAN-STYLE FURNITURE
Furniture is minimal in quantity, though thoughtfully selected and oversize.
Belgian homes feature a compelling mix of antique and contemporary pieces and are selected for their texture, finish, and streamlined shapes rather than any excessive detailing or ornate embellishments.
Consoles, cabinets, and dining tables can be crafted from recycled old timber beams or cladding. Accent tables are crafted from raw, unfinished timbers, rattan, iron, and glass. The designs are simple and with a little decorative flourish.
Photo Source: Suzie Anderson Home
Living room furniture includes a 19th-century upholstered or caned Fireside chair or grey-washed rattan Kubu chair.
If a chair's frame or fabric upholstery is looking a little threadbare, restoration is kept to a minimum to preserve evidence of the original patina and character.
Sofas and armchairs are generous in size and often slipcovered in stonewashed linens or upholstered in aged leather.
Coffee, console, and dining tables are often oversized and angular. These are crafted from wood, marble, travertine, metal, or rough stone.
Tables may also feature a rustic burnished or blackened iron box frame. Lastly, upholstered benches and studded ottomans in natural and dark hues provide visual interest and richness.
Photo Source: Axel Vervoordt
BELGIAN-STYLE TEXTURE & MATERIALS
Textural elements include raw, scrubbed, or recycled woods, rustic cast-iron hardware, black slate, blue stone, and reclaimed flagstone tiles.
Belgian style favours the distressed, raw, and natural.
For example, if the original wall or furniture paint is distressed, it’s beautiful to be left. Salvaging, reusing, and rehousing furniture, materials, and decor is recognised for its sustainability and style.
Photo Source: Est Living
Look for ways to repurpose existing materials.
For example, old oak flooring can be reused as cladding, shelving, or cabinetry, metal sheeting can become a kitchen splashback, and stone can be up-cycled for work-surfaces or bathroom vanities.
Soften these weatherworn materials with stonewashed flax linens and cotton in textural throws, cushions, slipcovers, and curtains.
Lastly, faux fur, linen, and woollen throws and cushions are used generously on sofas and beds, evoking a feeling of warmth and cosiness.
Photo Source: Suzie Anderson Home
Photo Source: Suzie Anderson Home
BELGIAN-STYLE ART & MIRRORS
Pay homage to Belgian history by mixing art from different periods.
Balance contemporary abstract art with old oil portraits, still life scenes, or chippy panoramic wallpapers, either unframed or in simple timber frames.
Lastly, to complete the old-world aesthetic, look for antique or grid-style mirrors featuring a smoky or distressed appearance.
These can be styled above generous mantels, console tables, or frame bookshelves.
Photo Source: Suzie Anderson Home & Architectural Digest
BELGIAN-STYLE ACCESSORIES: LOVED & LUSTRE
Belgian decor strikes the perfect balance between restrained elegance and functionality.
Belgian interiors adopt an uncluttered approach to styling and celebrate the unique character of single objects.
Decor items feature patina-rich metal and rustic wooden collectibles, rough unpolished ceramics, and foraged elements of pinecones, branches, hand-made nests, and stones.
We recommend searching flea markets and second-hand stores for one-off pieces that tell a story.
Display a few favourite decorative items on a rustic timber console, kitchen island, or bookshelf to create a natural still-life composition.
Ideas include a spray of dried wildflowers foraged from a memorable hike, an unglazed ceramic vase, or an embossed metal plate.
Other items include:
- For lustre, consider collections of pewter barware and trays, candleholders, glass display domes, and tinted or smoked glass vessels.
- Items include aged leather suitcases and stationery, binoculars, walking sticks, rustic breadboards, encrusted stoneware, aged books, or a woven rattan firewood basket.
Photo Source: Suzie Anderson Home
BELGIAN-STYLE LIVING ENERGY
Belgian is surrounded by beautiful natural forests, so bringing the outdoors in is a definite design element.
You will see bunches of natural leaves from the garden housed in a large glass or ceramic vases, often oversized.
Other living elements include fresh ruscus, lichen-covered branches, hyacinths, bowls of acorns, and piles of kindling and firewood, generously stacked into a chunky cane basket for a rustic yet curated feel.
In the Belgian style, particular emphasis is placed on texture, shape, + size rather than bright colours.
Externally you will find formal boxed hedging or topiaries in planter boxes of iron, rattan, and timber.
Photo Source: Suzie Anderson Home
