A guide to shabby chic decor: the secrets to a perfect home!

If you dream of a refined yet welcoming home, elegant yet with a lived-in touch, trendy yet with that vintage touch... There's no point beating around the bush: shabby chic decor is the answer to all your desires! Have you always dreamed of decorating your home in shabby chic style, but aren't sure where to start? Sure, there are tons of ideas online, and you might already have your own "Shabby Chic Decor" board on Pinterest. The inspiration is endless, and when that's the case, you risk getting lost. An article about the kitchen, one about the bathroom, one about decorations, one about DIY... a thousand open Google tabs and a whole lot of confusion! Source: Pinterest With this guide to shabby chic decor, however, you can consider your search over. Here you'll find everything, absolutely everything, you need: basics, a focus on colors and materials, DIY tips, a detailed guide for each room (including the exterior and the children's bedroom!), and two specials dedicated to Easter and Christmas. In short: the "Bible" of shabby chic decor is in your hands. Finally! Make yourself a coffee, settle into your most comfortable armchair, and discover how to decorate your home in shabby chic style easily, economically, and, above all, fun. Identikit: the shabby chic style! Meaning and characteristics Theme: the shabby chic style. Meaning: "worn" + "elegant." Or rather, that's the literal meaning, but we prefer "lived-in" to "worn." Because that's how the most welcoming homes are! Source: Pinterest A home that looks too new and immaculate risks seeming cold. A shabby chic style home, on the other hand, has all the warmth of our grandmothers' homes (but in a trendier and more contemporary way). This is thanks to the look of the furniture, which has retro shapes and patterns and is often elegantly imperfect. But when and where did the term shabby chic originate? There's no precise "birthdate," but it emerged in the 20th century and became popular in the 1980s thanks to a journalist named Min Hogg (look for her photos and you'll understand: she had style to spare). Shabby chic is inspired by Parisian villas, Provençal farmhouses, and Tuscan country homes: an irresistible mix of relaxed European elegance. Shabby chic accessories and furniture: how to choose them best The lines of shabby chic furniture are never too sharp. Cabinet doors feature embossed designs and frames, and bedside table legs are often arched; friezes and inlays embellish the sideboard and headboard. Source: Pinterest As for accessories, chandeliers and crystal lamps are perfect, as are antique-style wall lamps and vintage bedside lamps. Wrought iron coat hangers, elegant, antique-style clocks, lace doilies, heart-shaped, bleached wood decorations: all these are ideal furnishing accessories for a shabby chic space. To determine if an object is suitable for shabby chic decor, try this test: imagine the interior of a Provençal farmhouse and mentally place it there, in the bedroom or living room. If it fits perfectly with that atmosphere, you've hit the jackpot. If it clashes because it's too modern, it's better to choose something else. If, however, the style is perfect but the color is a little less so... Read the paragraphs below! Colors and materials of shabby chic decor: all the charm of lived-in chic! The main protagonist of shabby chic decor is color. One, primarily, which almost always takes center stage: white. Be careful, not just any white. Any form of glossy lacquer is banned: shabby chic favors matte, aged-looking tones. Whether artistic or authentic, it doesn't matter. Source: Pinterest To achieve this effect, shabby chic furniture uses the pickling technique, which recreates the look of worn furniture. You know those shadows along the edges? Those are characteristic of pickled furniture. The ideal white for shabby chic furniture is a warm white, from milky white to ivory. But dusty and pastel colors also work well: sage green, cerulean, antique pink, lavender, pearl gray, dove gray... Brown wood, however, isn't out of place! On the contrary, a natural piece of furniture here and there can break up the monotony of too much white. As for materials, shabby chic furniture definitely favors wood, perhaps with a touch of wrought iron. For textiles, anything rough (like linen) is perfect, especially when paired with lace and crochet embroidery. Quilted upholstery works very well for sofas, armchairs, and headboards: it adds a touch of French elegance that softens the worn look of wooden surfaces. Shabby Chic Walls and Floors: How to Make Them Perfect Source: Pinterest And what about the floors? Shabby chic decor easily adapts to marble, parquet, terracotta, and tiles. Perhaps some modern resins and rough cements should be avoided (but it always depends on the context). But don't worry: if the floors aren't suitable for a shabby chic home and you don't have the option to replace them, a beautiful rug—for example, with an antique rose motif—will easily solve the problem. Let's move on to the walls: decorated walls are very common in shabby chic homes. Any ideas? You can embellish one or more walls with damask or floral wallpaper: they'll create a focal point in the room and instantly give it a more refined look. Source: Pinterest Stripes are very French, making them perfect for shabby chic decor: a wall with large white and gray stripes, or white and dove gray, or even ivory and beige, will complement your home's shabby chic decor very well. Make them vertical if you want to make the room appear taller, or horizontal if you want to make it appear wider. Wall stickers can also be a great way to add a touch of style: elegant writing in antique fonts, floral motifs, and Parisian-style silhouettes will add a touch of class to the room without much effort. If you're looking for more inspiration for adding a shabby chic touch to your walls, read the guide we've written just for you! DIY Shabby Chic Decor: A New Life for Your Furniture Source: Pinterest And what if we don't have furniture in the right color? No problem: DIY is the solution! We bet that either you, your parents, or your grandparents have some Chippendale-style furniture at home: inlaid, glossy dark wood, typical of the 1940s and 1950s. This type of furniture is usually beautiful and well-made, but right now it doesn't have any real antique value. If you like them like this, no problem: as we mentioned above, even their natural state is suitable for a shabby chic home. But if you're worried about the effect being a bit overwhelming and want to give them a bit of a makeover, they're ideal candidates for the perfect shabby chic decor. You don't even need to know how to sand! Chalk paint, widely used to transform furniture into shabby chic decor, can be applied directly to the piece. There's no need to be too precise: a few imperfections will give us the "lived-in chic" effect we're looking for. Source: Pinterest Apply a couple of coats (or until you're satisfied) of a light color of your choice and let it dry between coats. The result will be opaque, almost chalky, perfect for shabby chic decor. But if you want to do things to perfection, get a special wax in a darker color (browns are perfect) and "dirty" a few edges and bumps. The result will be wonderful! Alternatively (or in addition): make them even more unique with stickers or decoupage. And now, some old furniture, which you may be fond of but didn't know how to integrate into your home, is now impeccable shabby chic. Decorating your home in shabby chic style: the in-depth room-by-room guide! Source: Pinterest We've seen what shabby chic decorating generally means: soft, dusty colors, lots of white, lots of wood, elegant lines, antiqued, worn finishes. But how does this translate into individual rooms? Which furniture should you choose to decorate a shabby chic bedroom, living room, or bathroom? Find out how to adapt shabby chic decor to each room of the house: below is our in-depth room-by-room guide to decorating in shabby chic style! Romantic welcome: how to decorate a shabby chic entryway Source: Pinterest As we always say, the entryway—when it exists—is the calling card of a home. Space is often a bit limited, especially if you live in an apartment, but that doesn't matter: a few well-designed elements are all it takes to create an adorable shabby chic entryway. An elegant console table, for example, will be the perfect place to place your keys. Hang an inlaid mirror, an antique-style clock, or a beautiful painting, and you'll have created a perfect nook. But between shabby chic benches, space-saving cabinets, and shelves, there's no shortage of alternatives! If you'd like to discover the details of how to furnish a shabby chic entryway from A to Z, read our in-depth article: you'll find tons of useful tips and some DIY ideas. The Shabby Chic Living Room: Refined and Striking Atmospheres The living room is the room where you spend the most time with guests: for this reason, it's often the most elegant and "formal" room in the house. Source: Pinterest To furnish a shabby chic living room, you can start with the seating and textiles. Sofas and armchairs with quilted upholstery make a statement and add an elegant touch to the room. Alternatively, a coarser material (like bouclé wool) will give the room a more comfortable and relaxed feel. Striped or floral patterns are also perfect, as are embroidered cushions and ruffled sofa covers: romantic and striking! A must-have in a shabby chic living room is the fireplace. Whether real or fake, it will become the focal point of the room. You can decorate it with paintings, lanterns, candles, and much more: it will transform your living room in the blink of an eye! Source: Pinterest Elegant sideboards to display your most beautiful ornaments; storage benches and poufs to cleverly increase the number of seats; an elegant and dramatic chandelier; delicate-looking curtains in linen or trimmed with lace; And, perhaps, a wall decorated with striped paint or beautiful wallpaper: here are all the elements that will make your shabby chic living room splendid. The shabby chic bedroom: a daydream! Neutral colors, distressed bedside tables, DIY decorations, and a few lanterns to create atmosphere: this, in a nutshell, is the perfect shabby chic bedroom. Source: Pinterest If you love a very romantic atmosphere, you'll have plenty to indulge in in this room: canopy beds and princess-like dressers pair beautifully with shabby chic furnishings. To avoid overdoing the atmosphere, however, we recommend avoiding overdoing the elegant furniture and always toning down with something simple and linear (be it a desk, a wardrobe, or an armchair). Want to learn more? Read our in-depth article with 5 ideas for decorating your bedroom in shabby chic style! The Shabby Chic Kitchen: Rustic French Atmosphere Source: Pinterest The kitchen is the warmest and most welcoming room in the house. If you've always imagined a bright room with the charm of large country kitchens (but also elegant and refined), here you'll discover how to create the perfect shabby chic kitchen! Built-in kitchens are the ultimate in style, but they're not always easy to achieve. Alternatively, you can choose a standard kitchen with cabinets, preferably with ashlar or inlaid doors: white is ideal (perhaps contrasting with dove-gray walls) or in pastel shades (sage green, for example, is particularly beautiful). If you have a classic wooden kitchen and want to change its look, you can transform it into a perfect shabby chic kitchen with a little DIY: remove the doors, apply two coats of chalk paint (if the cabinets are wooden, you can also paint just the doors and leave the rest in a contrasting color), and replace the knobs. You'll see the transformation! Complete with accessories: floral or checkered oven curtains; vintage white-painted plate racks to display your most precious ceramics; romantic 3D writing to display on the shelves; antique-looking chairs painted white (if the kitchen opens into the dining room). You'll see, it'll be so much fun to create a shabby chic kitchen! The shabby chic children's bedroom: a feast for the eyes! Have you ever thought that shabby chic style is also perfect for nurseries? If your entire home boasts shabby chic decor, then you could adapt the children's bedroom as well. Adapting shabby chic style to a "little ones" space is easier than it seems... And, we assure you, shabby chic children's bedrooms are a feast for the eyes! Source: Pinterest For example, an antique-looking dresser can become a convenient changing table: all you need is a special changing mat and a drawer full of changing accessories. Whether it's a boy or girl's bedroom, the neutral colors typical of shabby chic are perfect, as they have a relaxing and calming effect. Choose white and natural wood for furniture, so you have a neutral base to start from, and go wild with accessories: pillows, sheets, shelves, and rugs in the most beautiful pastel shades will add the finishing touch to the room. Vintage toys, like dolls, music boxes, and rocking horses, will look wonderful in your children's shabby chic bedroom, and the final effect will be adorable! The shabby chic bathroom, an oasis of refreshing delicacy! A well-kept and elegant bathroom is just what you need to unwind, dedicate some time to yourself, and pamper yourself. The perfect shabby chic bathroom is just that: relaxing, refined, and functional! Source: Pinterest If you have the option of choosing the bathroom furniture from scratch, opt for tiles with a slightly vintage feel and faucets that aren't too modern. Otherwise, you can also do a lot with accessories: storage units, cabinets, and small shabby chic cupboards are just what you need to store your beauty products with practicality and style. A few eccentric accessories never hurt: a white-painted ladder as a towel rack, a small crystal chandelier, vintage drawers used as storage, and paintings on the walls (yes, even in the bathroom!) will make this room delightful. Source: Pinterest Don't underestimate the importance of linens: towels, bathmats, and bathrobes should be chosen in keeping with the decor. They'll make the real difference, transforming a simple bathroom (even a small one) into an elegant shabby chic bathroom. Finally, don't forget some beautiful lace curtains: they'll be the perfect finishing touch! Shabby chic outdoor furniture: some inspiration for you! Yes, even though pickled wood is delicate and more suitable for interior spaces, there are many beautiful alternatives for shabby chic outdoor furniture. It's just a matter of choosing slightly sturdier materials, but that won't stop you from decorating your garden or terrace in shabby chic style. In fact, outdoor spaces lend themselves perfectly to creating romantic and dreamy atmospheres! Do you have a porch, terrace, or garden? Then read on! How to create a romantic shabby chic garden Imagine sitting in the shade of a tree, nestled in a charming white wrought-iron chair, drinking tea surrounded by greenery. It's practically our idea of ​​paradise! Creating a shabby chic garden doesn't require much: often, a mix of new elements and recycled furniture is the most picturesque choice, as well as the most economical and sustainable. Source: Pinterest You can achieve the "wow" effect by installing a beautiful gazebo, or hanging lanterns and bells from the branches of a plant; or create a hidden corner among the greenery with a simple table and chairs. Or use recycled objects: pallets, carts, and even an old bicycle, if properly restored, can become highly original shabby chic planters. Either way, you can't go wrong: shabby chic decor lends itself perfectly to outdoor spaces. Shabby chic gardens are true oases of peace, and the effect of white furniture amidst greenery is always beautiful. If you want to know everything, absolutely everything, about how to set up a shabby chic garden (from choosing furniture to plants), read our in-depth article! Decorating a colorful and relaxing shabby chic veranda Source: Pinterest Furnishing a shabby chic veranda is almost as easy as arranging an interior space: the environment is protected enough to allow for even the most delicate furniture, such as painted wood. But even more typically "outdoor" materials are perfect: imagine a wrought iron garden table with a majolica top! Perfect for a relaxing breakfast. The beauty of a veranda is that you can use accessories that aren't usually suitable for outdoor spaces, such as paintings, curtains, and lamps. The effect will be unique and highly refined. If you'd like to learn more, read our detailed guide to decorating a truly perfect shabby chic veranda: discover how to choose the best shades for your furniture (even when the facade color isn't ideal for the shabby chic style!), how to enhance your veranda with a little DIY, and how to make it more unique with a touch of Provençal. Special occasions: shabby chic decorations for the holidays! The holidays are wonderful opportunities to decorate your home in your favorite style. Yes, because what's the point of having a home with perfect shabby chic decor if you then decorate it in an unsuitable style at Christmas? Shabby chic Christmas: How to decorate your home with romantic details We know that Christmas is usually associated with two colors: red and gold. Yet, in recent years, we've seen the shabby chic style slowly conquering Christmas decor as well. The result? Elegant, romantic, delicate: in short, a real gem! Source: Pinterest The essential ingredients of shabby chic Christmas: a fireplace to decorate (real or fake), lanterns to set up with fairy lights and candles, a Christmas tree to adorn with vintage-style baubles (and, why not?, some cute elves poking their heads here and there). Discover all our ideas for a romantic shabby chic Christmas in the in-depth guide on our blog! Shabby chic Easter: lots of creative ideas for decorating your home The shabby chic style lends itself perfectly to everything spring-themed: floral motifs are beautifully displayed on wallpaper, curtains, sheets, and rugs, and the delicate pastel colors seem to have come straight from an elegant bouquet. All elements that pair perfectly with Easter decorations! Source: Pinterest Want to find out how to create a shabby chic Easter tree, how to set a delightful table for lunch, and how to involve your kids in creative crafts to make your home even more beautiful? Discover our in-depth article on shabby chic Easter! We've come to the end of our guide to shabby chic decor. From colors to materials, from furniture to walls, from flooring to accessories, from DIY to room-by-room inspiration, to holiday ideas: from now on, the shabby chic style will no longer be a secret to you. Now it's your turn: get ready to have the shabby chic home of your dreams and finally amaze all your guests!