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If you’re familiar with interior design trends, you’ve probably heard the term “shabby chic”. This decor style attempts to create a refined mix of rustic elements with distressed finishes and baroque accents that introduce a hint of glamorous ornamentation. Shabby chic is part of the bohemian movement focusing on a fresh interior design that also reflects the lifestyle of the homeowner. It can provide an eclectic touch to any room while the vintage charm maintains an airy and relaxed atmosphere.
There are lots of decor elements that define the shabby chic style. Antique furniture and pastel florals are just some good examples. Fans of the style will often incorporate upcycled items or modern furniture that has been completely revamped to fit the vintage aesthetic. Ever since its inception in the 1980s, shabby chic managed to maintain a strong position among other interior design trends. Thanks to its complex mixture of different elements and styles, the unique aesthetic withstood the test of time and it’s still extremely popular today.
Check out the following decor ideas that will inspire you to create a charming shabby chic makeover in your own home.
1. Shabby Chic Creamy Neutrals
Shabby chic is sometimes called country chic because it evokes a relaxing rural atmosphere through its various elements. The aesthetic often relies on a neutral color scheme, particularly one that’s focused on cream or beige tones. This is a traditional country-style palette that seems to be a great match for shabby chic interiors. The creamy tones can allow the textures and patterns to stand out properly while emphasizing the rustic appeal of natural materials such as oak wood and linen fabrics.
2. Weathered Furniture
While most modern decorators tend to avoid weathered or worn-out furniture, shabby chic enthusiasts embrace it. The antique vibe of a worn-out furniture piece offers a distinctive visual appeal that’s welcomed in this style. Instead of furniture that’s cleanly finished as if newly bought from the store, the shabby chic approach focuses on pieces that show their age. It’s considered something to be proud of when you can showcase the beauty of chairs and tables that have been in use for many years.
3. Shabby Chic Cottage Style Sofa
When it comes to designing a living room in shabby chic style, it’s essential to get a cottage-style sofa. This can easily become the centerpiece of the room, especially when paired with vintage accessories. An oversized French sofa could be ideal to integrate if you’re looking to pull off the shabby chic look. Find an ornate piece that gives off a baroque appeal and combine it with a rustic coffee table to create a beautiful contrast.
4. Thrifted Gallery Wall
The walls in a shabby chic room shouldn’t be left empty. Consider decorating them with a nice collection of thrifted artworks to create a vintage gallery wall. It’s recommended to emphasize florals or other traditional designs because their antique vibe fits the shabby chic mood perfectly. One or two art pieces can suffice, but you can make a more eclectic look by choosing multiple artworks based on a stylish gallery wall arrangement. It’s a sure way to bring a colorful touch to the wall resulting in a potent focal point.
5. Shabby Chic Whimsical Headboard
Considering the way shabby chic will often incorporate elements from different styles, the aesthetic can appear quite eclectic and whimsical. There’s a strong focus on vintage pieces and ornate accents. A good example is the distinctive headboard in this shabby chic bedroom. It provides a unique visual effect thanks to its floral vintage inspiration. The whimsical ornate shapes help to elevate the elegance of the bed to a new level.
6. Shabby Chic Distressed Bench
If you plan to create a reading nook in your home, you can take inspiration from the shabby chic style to bring up some extra coziness. Having an old bench featuring a worn-out look can be a great decor solution. However, not everyone may have antique furniture they can use to add shabby chic appeal. In that case, you can simply give a distressed finish to the bench to match the rustic character of the style. The result is a cozy reading nook that gives off strong shabby chic vibes.
7. Colorwash Shabby Chic Design
Many shabby chic interiors stress the importance of showcasing distressed furniture. This is a central element of the style. The idea is to accentuate the beauty of imperfections. Instead of discarding old furniture, it’s put on display and considered a valuable decorative treasure. Aside from classic distressing techniques, you can also use various color layering methods to simulate an antique feel. For example, this rustic blue cabinet makes use of a colorwash design that allows the natural wood to peek through the paint.
8. Shabby Chic Farmhouse Feel
Combining the right rustic and vintage elements can result in a spectacular farmhouse feel for your shabby chic living room. Check out this look that’s immediately reminiscent of rural France considering the pastel blue and rich cream color scheme as well as the layered cushions and traditional furnishings. The earthy appeal of the carpets anchors the delicate elements of the room properly. Stylish curves and cozy textures complete the shabby chic aesthetic.
9. Flea Market Finds
The flea market represents a great place to shop if you’re into shabby chic decor. You might be able to spot various rustic decorations or antique elements that can be used to accessorize your shabby chic environment. While you can discover some great decorations in modern shops as well, the flea market is particularly worth exploring to find those rare pieces that show their age. You can give a sense of authenticity to your shabby chic decor style when choosing actual antiques instead of modern items that are only designed to look old.
10. Shabby Chic Repurposed Trunk
When it comes to shabby chic decorations, it’s a good idea to emphasize the beauty of repurposed items. A classic example involves the use of a vintage trunk as a coffee table. This is a superb decor choice that brings a reliable shabby chic vibe anywhere, even in modern interiors. Old trunks are able to bring a distinctive character, especially if they benefit from a weathered makeover. These items can be repurposed as tables or extra seating, but stylish antique trunks can be simply used as decorations without any specific functionality.
11. Ornate Chandelier
Lighting fixtures don’t typically play an important role in shabby chic decor. Rustic or vintage lighting is usually preferred, but you can also match the style properly by using an ornate chandelier like this one. The elaborate design of this lighting fixture can provide some contrasting power against the neutral-toned surroundings. If the room’s shabby chic decor feels a little dull, you can easily spice things up with this kind of colorful chandelier that brings a whimsical touch.
12. Floral Freshness
Anyone looking to bring a feminine vibe to a shabby chic aesthetic should try to incorporate fresh flowers or various floral patterns. Organic elements are always welcomed in the shabby chic environment considering the close connection to rustic design style. Traditional furniture can be accented very nicely with throw pillows showcasing floral patterns that match the real flowers on the table or in plant pots. Vintage accessories such as the lighting fixture and mirror frame complete the shabby chic look.
13. Muted Color Palette
Most authentic shabby chic interiors tend to focus on neutral color tones. Some designs can take it a step further by opting for a very muted color palette. This could be a great approach because a shabby chic room can look much more attractive when there’s a sense of effortless visual appeal. A selection of pale icy blue shades mixed with white tones contribute to a laidback atmosphere while carefully placed decor accents can provide some balancing warmth.
14. Copper Cookware
Kettles and pans made of copper aren’t just very practical to use in the kitchen, they also feature excellent decor potential. If you’re looking for an easy way to introduce some shabby chic vibes into the kitchen, copper cookware could be the right solution. Pots and pans can be elegantly stored suspended to show off their beautiful craftsmanship alongside natural greenery from hanging plants. Pair copper cookware with vintage-style appliances and rustic furniture to create a shabby chic kitchen.
15. Rose Print Wallpaper
If you have your wooden furnishings and nostalgic accents ready, the only thing left to do is to dress up the bare walls to finish off the shabby chic look. A solid pastel color makeover could work nicely for modern interiors, but a classic wallpaper print could be better for more traditional spaces. Consider opting for a feminine floral wallpaper such as this one based on an elegant rose print. It can infuse the bedroom with coziness and match other shabby chic accessories used throughout the room.
