Shabby Chic Interior Design: Colors, Furniture & Ideas

What is Shabby Chic style?

The phrase shabby chic described the worn, inherited furniture of English country houses, where faded chintz and chipped paint were signs of long family use. In 1989 designer Rachel Ashwell opened a store called Shabby Chic in Santa Monica, selling slipcovered sofas and painted furniture, and the term became a recognized decorating style in the 1990s. It remains popular because it reuses old furniture, suits renters and small homes, and creates a soft, bright room without expensive pieces.

Shabby Chic color palette

• Chalk white#F8F5F0
• Cream#EFE6D2
• Blush pink#F4C2C2
• Mint#C9E4D6
• Powder blue#B0CFE0
• Faded gilt#C8B07A

Key features of Shabby Chic design

1. 1

   White or pastel paint on vintage furniture, rubbed back at edges to show wood.

2. 2

   Faded floral and rose prints on cushions, curtains and bedding.

3. 3

   Loose slipcovers in cotton or linen that can be washed.

4. 4

   Ruffles, lace trim and soft pleats on textiles.

5. 5

   Vintage china, glass jars and enamel pitchers on display.

6. 6

   Fresh or dried roses and peonies in jugs.

Shabby Chic style room by room

• Shabby Chic bedroom

  Use a white iron or painted wood bed, layered white linen with one floral quilt, and a crystal chandelier or glass-drop pendant.

  Try it on your bedroom

• Shabby Chic kitchen

  Paint cabinets in chalky white or pale mint, add glass-front doors to show vintage china, and use porcelain knobs.

  Try it on your kitchen

• Shabby Chic living room

  Choose a white slipcovered sofa with floral and lace cushions, a painted coffee table and an oversized gilt mirror leaning on the wall.

  Try it on your living room

Mistakes to avoid

• Over-distressing new furniture so every edge looks damaged; sand only the corners and raised details where wear would occur.
• Too many pastels at once; choose white as the base and limit accents to two soft colors.
• Clutter of small trinkets; group collections on a tray or shelf and leave other surfaces clear.
• Bright white plastic or high-gloss finishes; use matte chalk-style paint and natural fabrics.

Get the Shabby Chic look on a budget

• Buy old wood furniture second-hand and paint it with chalk paint, then sand the edges lightly and finish with clear wax.
• Sew or buy simple cotton slipcovers to update an old sofa instead of replacing it.
• Use thrifted floral plates, glass jars and enamel jugs as decoration and vases.

Shabby Chic vs similar styles

• Shabby Chic vs CottagecoreCottagecore is more rustic and handmade, with gingham, quilts and wildflowers, while Shabby Chic is whiter, softer and more refined.
• Shabby Chic vs French CountryFrench Country uses more wood tones, toile and Provençal color, while Shabby Chic is mainly white with pastel florals.
• Shabby Chic vs VintageVintage style can reference any past decade, while Shabby Chic focuses on worn, painted, romantic pieces.
• Shabby Chic vs FarmhouseFarmhouse is plainer and more practical, with black metal, shiplap and fewer florals and ruffles.

Frequently Asked Questions