How to Decorate Your Home in Shabby Chic Style

by Barbara Rybicki 04/04/2022

Shabby chic is a style of interior design that celebrates a mix of elegance and comfort. While many other “cozy” interior design styles err on the casual side, shabby chic stands out with sophisticated and luxurious elements—with a vintage twist. If you’re looking for a new style to incorporate into your personal decor, we’ll go over some easy ways to bring the shabby chic style home.

Start Light & Neutral

Shabby chic begins with a clean neutral baseline. That’s why for things like wall color, flooring and large furniture pieces you will want to opt for shades of white, gray, cream and light beige. While you can go darker and bolder for wall color for a more modern spin on the style, you’ll miss the bright and comfortable contrast that comes from the light neutral backdrop paired with the detail and personality brought into the room by smaller pieces.

To keep larger furniture pieces from feeling bland, pay attention to texture. The right textiles can make all the difference in the mood of a room. Bright white curtains in lightweight or even sheer fabrics will let in natural light to make the space feel brighter and more open.

Go Vintage (or Faux Vintage)

If you enjoy shopping at thrift stores, shabby chic is the perfect style for you. To achieve a true shabby chic aesthetic in any room, opt for distressed materials and furnishings that show their age with charm. Patina, oxidized copper and weathered wood finishes are essential. If you can’t find real vintage pieces, you can always mimic the look with a clever paint and sanding job. There are also many vendors on the market who can help you cater to this style with brand new faux vintage items.

When in doubt, go for items that have embellishment and luxurious details. Consider things like lighting as well as seating and surfaces. A classic way to achieve shabby chic aesthetic in a room is with a vintage chandelier.

Add Detail & Character Without Clutter

Another key element of shabby chic design is a perfect balance between ornate detail and clutter. Mixing collectables, art, accessories and other decor will give the room character and fun detail. However, to avoid looking too busy, try choosing specific pieces as focal points and designing around them. You want the decor to feel casual but lovingly collected over time, not random or messy.

Some specific ideas for accessories and smaller decor include weathered wooden or metal picture frames, vintage lamps or candlesticks with plenty of pertinent an eclectic gallery wall of your favorite art. For patterns and motif, floral and delicate lace are always an excellent choice. Cozy fabrics like cotton and linen will keep the style grounded while touches of ornate lace or velvet will add luxury.

Shabby chic has evolved to incorporate more aspects of our modern style, but many things remain the same. These key elements will help guide you in creating your own version of this popular interior design style. With these tips and a bit of creativity, you can make any room in your home a comfortable and stylish environment.

About the Author
Author

Barbara Rybicki

I am originally from Poland but have been a Grafton resident for almost thirty years.

I come from the Hospitality Business. I used to work in 5 Star Marriott Hotel Management. That experience taught me how to provide excellent customer service. That "Marriott" way of doing business instilled in me over the years helps me tremendously to succeed as a local real estate broker.

Nothing is more exciting to me than gratifying feeling I get from helping people reach their real estate needs and dreams. You can count on me to always do what is in your best interest. I will be there for you throughout the entire transaction making sure you understand each step of the buying or selling process. I will guide you with great communication skills  and hard work ethic. 

I have not only passion for my job but also extensive real estate expertise. Whether it is preparing and staging your home to sell for top dollar or helping you purchase a perfect home, feel free to reach out to me so we can start this process together.

I specialize in marketing and selling residential real estate in Grafton, Upton, Northborough, Westborough, Southborough, Shrewsbury, Milford, Hopkinton and Metro West area.

I can not wait to meet you!

Awards and Designations:

Realtor Designation since 2005

Licensed MA Broker since 2009

Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR)

Accredited Staging Professional (ASP)

Worcester Regional Association of REALTORS® since 2005

National Association of Realtors (NAR) since 2005

Multi-Million Dollar Producer

Remax Executive 100% Club 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018

Remax Platinum Club 2015

Remax Hall of Fame Club 2017