Shabby chic in the interior: style description, choice of colors, finishes, furniture and decor

Distinctive features

Shabby chic was born in the late 1980s, when an English designer had an idea to give old things new life. Items from flea markets have been restored, while leaving a trace of antiquity.

• A characteristic feature for shebi-chic is scuffs and aging effect in the interior;
• The color palette is filled with light pastel shades: blue, peach, pink, cream and white;
• The style and shape of the furniture do not matter, the main condition is that it must bear the trace of history;
• In the interior of shabby chic, patterns of flowers are often used;
• Shabby chic does not accept strict geometric shapes in drawings;
• The use of vintage and antique furniture is encouraged in the interior;
• In stores, furniture models corresponding to the shabby chic direction are rarely presented, often decoration is done by hand;
• A lot of fabric and decorative elements are used in the interior of shabby chic.

On the picture chest of drawers and table with aging effect.

The color scheme of the style

The interior of shabby chic is filled with details with a touch of vintage, while it does not look vulgar and tasteless. The color scheme contains a delicate and calm palette. The color of a dusty rose, sky blue and calm greens can simultaneously echo the interior of the same room. Shabby chic does not accept flashy and dark colors.

Decoration of rooms in the apartment

Bedroom

Ideal for shabby chic interiors. A romantic, gentle and cozy bedroom will give only positive emotions. The light finish allows the style to be used to decorate the interior of a bedroom of any size. In a small room, the abundance of decorative details can be replaced with wallpaper with floral patterns or focus on furniture.

In a spacious room, shabby chic can be used to the fullest. A variety of vases with flowers, figurines of angels, bedside rugs, lace and tulle on the windows will be harmoniously combined together.

Flowers in the interior - one of the distinctive features of the style. In the photo in the bedroom, they are present in a vase on the bedside table, in a frame, in a painting on the wall and in bedding.

Living room

The living room interior can be filled with stylized furniture. The sofa and armchairs covered with a fabric cover can be plain or with a picture of small flowers. Another option for decorating furniture is the presence of noticeable scuffs, this technique looks especially impressive on a white background.

A rustic wood floor can be decorated with a simple rug with raw edges. Accessories play a significant role in shabby chic interior design, they can be present in the form of figurines, vases, paintings or wall decorations.

Kitchen

The shabby chic style in the interior of the kitchen will be associated with a rustic cozy house. The ideal option would be a wooden kitchen set.The color scheme does not have to be white, it is permissible to use any shade that matches the style.

Ceramic or porcelain accessories and tableware can have decorative scuffs and flower images, while lace tablecloths and chair cushions complete the look.

Children

The delicate interior is more suitable for decorating a child's room for a girl. Flowers, a soft palette, a combination of fabrics of different colors and textures will resemble a dollhouse or a princess's room. The dolls and toys will blend in with the overall style and look like one whole.

On the picture delicate interior of a children's room with a dressing table for a princess.

Bathroom

The bathroom is shabby chic, reminiscent of the atmosphere of romantic Provence. A bathtub with elegant legs, a washbasin with flowing shapes and forged towel racks will maintain a uniform style. The use of wooden objects in the bathroom is impractical due to the reaction to a humid environment, decorated metal objects are the best option.

Hallway

The main object of attention in the hallway can be a wardrobe for outerwear; a large vintage wardrobe with ornate patterns would be a good option. The walls will be decorated with several small paintings. For finishing the floor, it is more practical to use tiles or laminate with imitation wood.

Finishing features

The style came to us from a time when natural materials were mainly used. Therefore, when finishing, the use of wood or stone is encouraged.

Walls

The classic shabby chic wall design is considered to be imperfect painting in light colors or uneven sanding. Wallpaper with the image of flowers looks harmonious, most often these are peonies or tea roses.

Another finishing option is wooden boards, which are also given an aged effect, or simply painted in a light shade. Also, the walls are often decorated with stucco moldings.

In the photo on the right the accent wall in the bedroom interior is decorated with aged boards.

Floor

Natural wood or its imitation, such as parquet or laminate, is used for flooring. Monochromatic tiles or tiles with a light pattern also look harmonious. In the living room, bedroom and nursery, the floor can be covered with a woven rug or a small vintage rug.

Ceiling

The shabby chic ceiling can be painted in a solid light color or complemented by ceiling beams. Decorating the ceiling with boards or stucco will be a beautiful interior solution.

Furniture selection

The main condition for decorating a room in shabby chic furniture is the effect of aging, the design fades into the background.

• A modern wardrobe or chest of drawers can become a real work of art if it is painted with the craquelure method and supplemented with floral patterns, or a simple wardrobe in a delicate color can be decorated with plaster moldings.
• A sideboard with glass doors filled with a service is suitable for the dining room.
• The sofa is covered with a light-colored fabric cover and supplemented with small pillows. Another option would be a sofa with a wood base and floral upholstery.
• A good option for the living room would be a combination of a plain sofa and a pair of armchairs of a different color, combine the composition of a pillow or bedspread.
• The wrought-iron bed, painted in white or light turquoise with metal gaps, looks especially elegant in the bedroom. The advantage of this choice will be to save space, the frame looks impressive, while it is not bulky.
• The choice in favor of wood remains unchanged, it fills the interior with warmth.

On the picture on the right, the bed and bedside tables are decorated with plaster moldings.

Textile

Textiles in the interior of shabby chic play an important role. They are present in the decor, furnishings and windows.

• The cut of curtains can be classic to the floor or unusual, for example, with lambrequins;
• The colors of fabrics in the interior are either monochromatic with decorative elements, or with floral patterns;
• The self-woven rug will match the style;
• Old vintage carpets with frayed parts look harmonious in the living room and bedroom, and a small doormat in the kitchen;
• Lace bedspreads are suitable for bedroom decoration;
• A variety of pillows in different colors and sizes will decorate the sofa, armchair and bed.

Shabby chic decor

For shabby chic, more abundant use of decor items is characteristic. Various DIY decorating ideas make things exclusive and unique.

• Lace frames for photos, paintings and mirrors;
• Vases and decorative bottles decorated with decoupage technique;
• Oil paintings;
• Caskets, figurines of angels and vases with flowers;
• Round-shaped clocks can also be given an antique look;
• Massive wooden candlesticks;
• Photo frames can be made from skirting boards;
• Flowers in clay pots;
• Chest decorated with craquelure technique.

On the picture decor in the style of shabby chic with patterns of roses.

In the photo on the right chest of drawers decorated with decoupage technique.

Lighting

Chandeliers with a lampshade are suitable for shabby chic interior decoration; in spacious halls, the chandelier can be in the shape of a candelabrum. Bedside lamps will be decorated with a fringe or lampshade made of light fabric. For the living room and the nursery, you can use tall floor lamps, the reading and relaxation areas are accompanied by wall lamps with frosted glass or in the form of a candlestick.

Photo gallery

A shabby chic renovation will be an unusual and interesting solution to create an airy and playful interior. Despite the abundance of decorative elements used in the design of the apartment, the space does not look overloaded, every detail complements each other.

The design provides opportunities for revealing hidden talents, most of the details are created by hand and are difficult to find in the store. Below are photo examples of shabby chic design.