14 Shabby Chic Living Room Ideas to Enhance Romance

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!

shabby chic living roomPhoto by Cabbages & Roses Ltd

 

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.

feminine living roomPhoto by Tracey Rapisardi Design

 

You’ll typically find whites and pastels in a shabby chic living room, but that’s not always the case.

romantic prairie style living roomPhoto 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.

Victorian style living roomPhoto 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.

shabby chic style living roomPhoto by Kasey Buick

 

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.

slipcovered furniture in family roomPhoto by Tracey Rapisardi Design

 

Chandeliers dripping with crystals are another favorite staple of shabby chic style.

white slipcovered sectional sofaPhoto by Dreamy Whites

 

When it comes to color in a shabby chic living room, think pink, pale blues and grays, and faded mint green.

romantic prairie style family roomPhoto by Amy Neunsinger

 

Romantic decorating styles can be vintage and comfortable, or possess a little Old World glam.

traditional living roomPhoto by Benjamin Moore

 

Soft blues are a popular color choice for shabby chic rooms. The color is calm and soothing.

soft blue sectional sofaPhoto by Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic Couture

 

Of course, white is a staple for this romantic style of decorating.

coastal style family roomPhoto by RAMSAY GOURD ARCHITECTS

 

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.

beach style seating areaPhoto by Elms Interior Design

 

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.

dark blue denPhoto 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.

elegant shabby living spacePhoto by Amy Neunsinger

 

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.

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11 Comments

  1. 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.

  2. 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 .

  3. 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! ☺

  4. I have always loved the Shabby Chic style of decorating. I remember reading Rachael Ashwell saying that when she moves house she tells the painter to paint it white, just white but now we are all hung up about the ‘perfect white’. I think Shabby Chic is achievable without the use of a designer however it does require a certain style of house to pull it off properly. Gorgeous photos as usual Jennifer. I particularly like number 8 with the floral curtains. Love a good floral on the windows!