Jan 21, 2022

How To Add Shabby Chic to Every Room

If you want to add a touch of vintage elegance and charm to your space, then the shabby chic style is for you. We will walk you through the design process so that your entire home will have a shabby chic look.

Read on to learn how you can add shabby chic to every room in your home.

What Is Shabby Chic Style?

Shabby chic style has been a home design favorite for years and is all about adding classic white furniture, vintage pieces, and soft linens to your home for that charming, feminine look. The shabby chic look has a classic and romantic feel and is perfect for creating a relaxed vintage look in your home.

Some classic, shabby chic furniture items might include:

An antique lamp
Distressed tables and chairs
A black and white vintage chalkboard
A grand chandelier
Dark wooden flooring
A soft, white sofa
Gorgeous flowers in a vintage vase
A mirror with a wooden frame
Antique china dinnerware
A painted trunk

When you walk into a home with shabby chic style, you will immediately feel comfortable and love all the beautiful and historic touches.

Now, let’s dive into the history of shabby chic style and learn where this elegant design originated from.

The History of Shabby Chic Style

The term shabby chic became popular in the 1980s when luxury and grandeur became common in homes and businesses. However, shabby chic came with a twist because it was luxurious with a vintage feel, full of historic charm and elegance.

This unique look quickly became a sought-after trend, with many people adding feminine, history-rich pieces to their homes.

Today, many people get creative with their shabby chic designs and add second-hand items and vintage flea-market finds to their decor lineup. This creates an undeniably elegant style while feeling relaxing and welcoming at the same time.

Shabby Chic Design Characteristics

Shabby chic design characteristics vary with everything from second-hand vintage items to luxurious antiques. Remember, shabby chic homes are very clean, with lots of white and soft colors, along with many natural or old-fashioned elements.

Here are some of the most common design characteristics when it comes to the shabby chic design style:

Comfy fabrics
Wooden elements
Painted and paint-chipped vintage furniture
Soft hues of white and beige
Delicate curtains
Gorgeous ruffles
Glittering white pearls
Distressed furniture

These elements will add depth and beauty to your shabby chic home.

Decorating Ideas by Room

Now that you know all about the different design elements and characteristics of shabby chic style, let’s break down some shabby chic decorating ideas by room so that you can bring this gorgeous style to your own home.

Decorating the Living Room

The living room is the heart of your castle and should feel fit for the shabby chic queen you are.

First, you’ll want to add some delicate floral patterns to give your space a feminine and charming touch. You can use floral wallpaper or floral-patterned furniture in your living room to set the tone. Then, spritz one of our signature room sprays in the air or on linens to bring dazzling floral fragrance to your living area.

The centerpiece of your living room should be a large, comfortable sofa, fit with a white slipcover. A slipcover adds a classic touch to any shabby chic home and will help to ease your sitting area into the design style.

Add some warmth into your living area by using warm, natural woods and vintage leather for your ottoman and chairs. For your mantle, add a gold, ornate clock along with a vintage globe to add sophistication to your space.

Next, place a delicate Le Mini Aura Vase with a soft pink EternityⓇ Rose on your coffee table to add ambiance to your living room. You can also place a stack of books on the table or use a painted trunk to create a vignette of antiques to display here.

To finish off your room, add a glittering chandelier to bring light, charm, and elegance to truly elevate your shabby chic living room.

In the Bedroom

When adding the shabby chic look to your bedroom, don’t be afraid to mix and match colors and styles to create a cohesive look in your space.

For your bed, use an iron headboard that is painted white for a rustic, chic look. Add some luxurious, soft linens to your bed to create a peaceful spot to sleep at night.

Next to your bed, place a wooden nightstand with metal or iron finishes to tie your furniture together. You can even sprinkle in some luxury candles atop your nightstand or dresser for a touch of elegance that will bring gorgeous fragrance to your space.

For your dresser, choose a beautifully distressed shabby chic cabinet in a pastel turquoise or pink shade to add a pop of color to your design. This piece will be just what you need to store all of your clothes and folded linens.

On the floor, add a furry rug to bring warmth and serenity to your bedroom. Finish off your shabby chic look with a small antique chair in the corner for sitting and gorgeous glass or porcelain accessories throughout your bedroom.

A Shabby Chic Kitchen

In order to create a beautiful kitchen filled with shabby chic decor, you need to focus on adding feminine finishes, wooden elements, and lots of white.

Paint your kitchen cabinets a soft white or pastel color and add a vintage metal sign to welcome guests into your kitchen.

For your breakfast nook, find wooden, antique chairs for your dining table in a dark brown color. Then, top these chairs with soft, pleated skirt seat cushions.

On top of your dining table, place a classic lace tablecloth with a gorgeous flower arrangement as the centerpiece of your display. We recommend our Allura Vase with Mixed Eternity Flowers to bring energy and light to your space. This arrangement features a mix of roses, hydrangea, and gardenia and will be the perfect touch of elegance to your shabby chic kitchen.

With a shabby chic home, you can never go wrong with layering, so feel free to add different textures of lace and doilies to your table or draped over your vintage china cabinet. All in all, these design elements will be sure to give you the shabby chic kitchen of your dreams.

Decorating the Bathroom

Lastly, you might want to add some shabby chic finishing touches to the bathrooms in your home, to tie all of your spaces together.

For your bathroom, paint your walls white to provide an airy feel. Choose a claw foot tub to soak in, along with fun, checkered tiles for the floor.

Add in some potted plants and a small bouquet of roses to bring freshness and natural elements to your space, along with lavender soap and soft hand towels to create your shabby chic bathroom masterpiece.