How to Give Your Home a Belgian Makeover

Since Brussels is home to two cultures such as Dutch and French, your Belgian makeover will include a mixture of French and Dutch themes. Dutch homes tend to be very colorful while French homes tend to be very elegant. Putting them altogether will be challenging but once you learn how to make two different styles work together, you’ll come out with a masterpiece.

Put bright and dark colors together, in one room.

Most Belgian homes are often adorned with two or more different shades. If you want to apply the same technique, try to mix warm colors with the right blend of cool colors or perhaps, refer to a database of color combinations online to get the right mix. Be inspired by the things you see in magazines and on the internet for ideas.

Mix industrial designs with elegant furnishings.

Belgium is, after all, a country populated by two cultural groups, the French (Walloons) and the Dutch (Flanders). Almost anything in this country is inspired by French and Dutch cultures, including home designs. To recreate that Belgian vibe in your home, experiment with polarizing styles like industrial decor mixed with vintage furniture or perhaps, brightly colored furniture with wooden textures. The challenge here is making two or more different designs compliment each other successfully.

Be more utilitarian with your designs.

Unlike in French homes, Belgian homes utilize designs which contribute to the overall design of a home and can be used at the same time. For example, you might see a lot of intricately designed ash trays in Belgian homes-- these double as table decor and as pretty ashtrays, at the same time.

Where to Find Vintage and Industrial Fixtures

You need not spend much to recreate that Belgian design. You could always create your own or repaint and improve the existing furniture and decals you have now; however, if you do have a bit of money to spare, head down to second-hand stores and look for cute vintage and industrial decals to use. You might also want to try websites like Etsy, Amazon, and eBay.