What is Shabby Chic Interior Design?

Shabby chic is a controversial interior design style because designers can’t decide whether it’s classy or tacky.

Tackiness is from the artificial nature of the worn, lived-in look, which can look fake and cheap. However, when done right, shabby chic is an elegant and timeless interior style that can transform your bedroom.

We believe shabby chic interiors have a place in the design rule book, but only when the elements are carefully planned.

What is shabby chic?

The term “shabby chic” originates from the 1980s, when opulent penthouses became running themes in TV shows. Gleaming marble and brass, sleek textures, and rough, worn, but functional furniture became trendy.

As an interior style, shabby chic has a vintage and romantic air, with unkempt elegance that brings traditionally unloved elements to the fore.

What are shabby chic characteristics?

Shabby chic is underpinned by furniture and furnishings that are old and visibly worn or made to look that way. Soft hues, whites, and light pastel shades dominate the colour palate with pops of bright colour for energy and youthfulness.

You can expect a vintage and relaxed appearance in a shabby chic space. It will have a romantic and authentic feeling, with no single element that stands out. Textures, colours, and shapes will flow together, creating a lived-in look.

When can shabby chic go wrong?

Shabby chic goes wrong when too many washy elements create an untidy, cluttered space that gives off negative energy.

When designing a shabby chic space, you must blend the smooth with the rough, the cold with the warm, and the light with the dark for balance.

Another way shabby chic goes wrong is a lack of patterns – the design calls for lots of white and lighter pastel shades. Without patterns to break things up, such as floral curtains, it can all appear flat and (dare we say it.) …, very dull.

How to get the shabby chic look

Nail your colours

Firstly, every great space has a fantastic colour scheme. Shabby chic spaces are 60% white/off-white, 30% pastel, and 10% bold pop. Blush pink, mint green, beige, pastel blue, duck egg, dusty blue, and antique white are ideal.  

Floral prints

When it comes to patterns, florals are your best friend. You should look for two floral focal points in your bedroom: your curtains/roller blind and your bedding. Be careful to choose the right colour so that everything blends.

Brassy elements

Brass is the best metal for shabby chic because it isn’t glamorous like gold or cold like chrome. It sits in the middle, with a warming tone that appears older than it is. You can also get antique brass fittings for an antique look.

Get an upholstered bed frame.

Shabby chic bedrooms do best with an upholstered bed frame, ideally in a flat or crushed velvet. The Urban Beds Rose (available in grey, dark grey, and natural) is a perfect example, or you might prefer a low bed like the Birlea Hemlock.  

Pictured: The Rose Fabric Bed Frame – Grey (Available from Bedstar.)

Pictured: Birlea Hemlock 4FT Small Double Fabric Bed Frame – Stone (Available from Bedstar.)

Get out to your local antique and thrift shop.

Your local antique and thrift shops will have pre-loved furniture and authentic and stylish furnishings. Whether it’s a chair for your bedroom corner, a nightstand, or a clock for your dresser, original items always win.

Whitewash any fresh wood  

If you have new pine furniture, you can whitewash it to give it the shabby chic look. Mix white latex paint with water in a 1-1 ratio for the best results – this will create a transparent paint that hugs the wood rather than coating it.  

Opulent chandelier

With your neutral/pastel colour scheme and floral patterns to show off, you need something to scatter the light. An opulent chandelier is the best option – you can get these wired in or as an easy-fit chandelier light shade.If you enjoyed this article, read our piece on how to plan a bedroom makeover.