Paris is a city with a single dominant type of dwelling, and those familiar with it will almost automatically make the right furniture choices. The Haussmann building style still dictates what works in a Parisian apartment and what looks out of place.
What the Haussmann Style Dictates
The rooms on the second and third floors, the étage noble, often have ceiling heights between 2.90 and 3.30 meters, along with stucco profiles on the ceiling, tall double doors, herringbone or Versailles parquet flooring, and a fireplace as the central feature of the wall. This has three implications for furnishing: ceiling lights can be large, as they would otherwise disappear into the height. Furniture with a low back height keeps the view of the stucco and windows unobstructed. And the fireplace wall is a given; it is furnished, not ignored. A wall mirror above the mantelpiece in Paris is not a decoration suggestion but the historical arrangement.
Light in Grey Months
From November to February, daylight remains dim. Rooms that appear bright in summer then turn grey. More ceiling light does not help against this; instead, a second layer of lighting is needed: table lamps on consoles and floor lamps next to armchairs, complemented by warm materials. Brass and tinted glass absorb the little light available, while cool chrome makes a grey room appear even greyer.
Delivery is the Real Hurdle
Many buildings have an elevator that was subsequently installed in the stairwell: cabin depth is often less than one meter, and door width around 60 centimeters. Large items then have to be carried up the winding staircase. Therefore, before ordering any sofa or dining table, three measurements should be noted: clear door width at the bottom, the narrowest point in the stairwell, and the cabin dimensions. In many arrondissements, a parking permit for the delivery truck must also be applied for in advance. Clarifying this before placing an order saves the most expensive appointment: the one when the truck leaves without delivering.
What Works Well in Parisian Apartments
Dismantlable or modular sofas, as they fit through narrow doors. Round dining tables, because Parisian dining rooms are rarely rectangular. Narrow console tables in long hallways. And a large chandelier instead of several smaller lights, because the height can accommodate it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ceiling height in Parisian Haussmann apartments?
On the lower floors, often between 2.90 and 3.30 meters, significantly less on the upper floors. Therefore, ceiling lights can be generously sized in the étage noble.
What should be considered for deliveries in Paris?
Elevators are often retrofitted and very small. Before ordering, door width, the narrowest point of the staircase, and cabin dimensions should be checked, along with a parking permit for the truck in many districts.
Which furniture suits stucco and herringbone parquet?
Pieces with clean lines and rather low backrests, so that the ceiling and windows remain visible. The fireplace is furnished as a focal point, traditionally with a mirror above it.
Consultation by an Authorized Dealer
Casa Luxury is the interior world of an established, authorized Eichholtz specialist dealer. We are listed in the brand's official dealer directory, deliver throughout Europe, and provide advice on selection, dimensions, and delivery times. Inquiries can be sent to info@casa-luxury.de.
Luxury Furniture for Paris: Haussmann, Dimensions, and Delivery: Models from the Collection
A selection from the categories discussed on this page. Each image leads to the product page.
Further in the guide: Luxury Furniture Overview · Brussels · Côte d'Azur · Neoclassicism