Tips for Decorating in a Shabby Chic Style
Are you one of those people who absolutely loves the antique look of worn furnishings, but you just don’t have the budget to redecorate your home at this time? Shabby chic décor can give you the look and atmosphere you’re looking for without having to go out and spend a bundle of money on pricey antiques. With this style, you can create a cozy, relaxed, and very romantic feel. Shabby chic décor will have you feeling that warm, soft breeze floating across the room!
Soft and Sensuous
Shabby chic provides a feminine look of light and white-washed décor that many people-especially women-just love. You want the furniture to look just a little worn around the edges. Choose curtains in muted pastels that will blend softly with the rest of the room.
Fabrics should be nubby, satiny, or anything in between. Or combine those ultra-smooth satins with nubby textures to create a more interesting look.
The older an accessory looks, the better, in shabby chic décor. This is a style that is meant to look relaxed and comfortable-and a bit old-fashioned. It’s fine if the furnishings you currently have are more modern-you won’t have to go out and buy all new pieces. For instance, you can transform your coffee and end tables by sanding off the finish, painting them an antique white color, and then lightly sanding those edges and other areas on the tables that would naturally wear. Then, voila! You’ve created a shabby chic look without having to go out and spend hundreds of dollars on new tables.
Elegance on a Budget
A shabby chic décor is the perfect choice for those working within a budget who want to create a relaxed elegant look. It’s not unusual to find the perfect shabby chic accent or accessory like a oak coffee table at a flea market. For shabby chic decorating, certainly “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”
In a shabby chic style, slip covers are almost a necessity. With an antique white slip cover on your sofa, you can add mismatched throw pillows that are similar in color but differ in terms of texture and pattern. For instance, as long as the colors are complementary, a satiny floral and a nubby plaid can make a stunning combination.
The Finishing Touches
So now let’s turn to accessorizing. In a shabby chic décor, this ends up being super easy as well. For instance, flowers and greenery are staples in shabby chic décor. You can either buy a few fresh flowers at the market or pick some of your own if you have them. Find an old-looking vase for your oak dining room table, but don’t try to arrange them perfectly. You want the finished result to look a little thrown together. After all, the beauty of shabby chic is an elegant and relaxed look that’s not too perfect.
You can also get creative with the lighting. Perfect lighting options for this décor include antique-looking chandeliers and candle holders. Lamp shades might be decorated with glass or crystal beads, which will add to the antique look. Another great fit is lamp shades that are painted. Remember, you are striving to find things that look as if they come from another era.
For a style all your own that won’t break your budget, shabby chic may be just what you’re looking for. This is a style that combines elements of light, openness, airiness, relaxation, romance, elegance, AND the feminine all in one! With shabby chic, you can create an original look that you can enjoy with total ease and comfort.
