Worn painted furniture and faded chintz curtains and fabrics evoke the aura of Old World vintage comfort. This collection of 14 shabby chic living room ideas is sure to stir a bit of romance in your decorating heart!
Slip-covered furniture is often used to provide an updated look to worn but sturdy furniture. Incorporate a ruffle or two to increase the romantic feature.
Photo by Tracey Rapisardi Design
You’ll typically find whites and pastels in a shabby chic living room, but that’s not always the case.
Photo by Todd Remington Architect
Shabby chic style started in Great Britain and the term was coined by World of Interiors magazine back in the early 1980s.
Photo by YAWN design studio, inc.
The romantically vintage decorating style didn’t become popular in the U.S. until the 1990s – about the time Rachel Ashwell created her Shabby Chic furniture line and published a book by the same name.
Cotton and linen fabrics are typically found in the shabby chic living room. Whites and pastels are favorite colors and if fabric is new, it can be tea stained to create a worn, vintage look.
Photo by Tracey Rapisardi Design
Chandeliers dripping with crystals are another favorite staple of shabby chic style.
When it comes to color in a shabby chic living room, think pink, pale blues and grays, and faded mint green.
Romantic decorating styles can be vintage and comfortable, or possess a little Old World glam.
Cottage style also lends itself well to the shabby chic look. Don’t be afraid to toss in a bit of color!
Photo by –
Use vintage finds in new ways when decorating a shabby chic living room. Curtains become a soft backdrop on a wall while an old trunk serves as a coffee table.
Don’t feel like you always have to turn to white if you love shabby decor. A dark patterned wallpaper looks fabulous with painted floors and slip-covered furniture.
Photo by Юрьева Галина | Interior Design and Decorating |
Even Rachel Ashwell uses darker walls in a shabby chic living room. This one is filled with vintage appeal from the chandelier to the painted furniture and oriental rug.
If you’re a fan of shabby chic decorating, you’ll enjoy any one of these beautiful books!
Shabby Chic Decorating Books
Click on cover of any book to order it.
  |   |   |   |
Hi! I'm Jennifer and I'm happy to have you here! I live where the suburbs meet the country, which affords me the best of both worlds. Come along on my journey where I share decorating, cooking, gardening and more as it relates to both city and rural life. 
My sister loves the Shabby Chic aesthetic and your post on this subject inspired me to order one of Rachel Atwell’s coffee table books as a Christmas gift this year for her. One gift idea to cross off my list. Thank you.
Hi Pat! Sounds like the perfect Christmas gift to me! I always love when someone gets me a decorating book or cook book!
We’re moving to a new home next month and these rooms are inspiring 😇
How exciting Deb!! It’s a new decorating adventure for you!!
I get the magazine Romantic Homes and she has a lot of features in those. I did pin some of these, thanks Jennifer i enjoyed .
Hi Marlene! One of my favorite bloggers is the new editor of that magazine – her name is Courtney and she blogs at French Country Cottage. She’s perfect for that magazine! Here’s the link to her blog: http://www.frenchcountrycottage.net/
I love shabby chic! Funny, most of the blogs I read are not decorating that way! Lol
I would like to subscribe to some shabby blogs! It would be great if you could do a post introducing us to some! I noticed you like this style as well! ☺
Hi Shelly!
That’s a great idea. Let me do a little research and I’ll write something up. Stay tuned!
Shelly, I agree, would Love Love to see more Shabby Blog’s
Hi Jeri! I’ll try to do a post soon about shabby chic blogs. I’m in the process of making a list! 🙂