Scandinavian style interior. Bedroom attic. 3d rendering

Love that perfectly unkempt shabby chic look? Check out these surprisingly simple ideas for amazing shabby chic decor.

Wondering if you can pull off shabby chic decor at home?

We promise that anyone can pull this decor style off! All you need are a few industry secrets.

In this guide, I’ll show you the tips and tricks you need to make shabby chic decor work for you. I’ve got a room-by-room list for you to follow, so you can incorporate shabby chic decor at your own pace. Keep reading to learn how to nail this look in your home!

1. The Living Room

You don’t need a ton of vintage, shabby furniture to get started. In fact, you’ll probably be happier with your results if you redecorate in a step-by-step way, so you can stop and evaluate as you go.

One of the best places to start is the living room. This is a common space where you probably spend a lot of time, so you can quickly get an idea of whether or not you’re happy with the changes you make. Guests will also see this room, so you’ll be able to get feedback from other people on the updates you make, too.

Begin with one shabby statement item, and add it to your current living room decor. Look for antique side tables or a coffee table that can take center stage.

Not sure what to look for? Shabby chic decor often comes in vintage-inspired colors like gray, cream, light green, or light blue. Since these color palettes are soft or neutral, your statement piece will easily work with the decor you already have.

If you choose tables, you can use your new statement pieces to build the shabby design from there, by placing vintage trinkets or pretty tablecloths on top.

2. The Bedroom

If you’re happy with your living room upgrades, turn to the bedroom next. This is a room where you spend a lot of time, and adding some shabby chic decor can give it a more cozy, relaxing vibe.

The bedroom offers a great option for shabby decorating – the bedding. Choose bedding in one of the vintage colors listed above, and look for touches like ruffles, lace, and layers.

These romantic elements will work perfectly as you add new shabby furniture to the room later on. After the bedding, you might switch out the nightstand for a vintage one, or find a vintage lampshade to throw softer light on the room.

Next, find some throw pillows with vintage-inspired textures, like woven fabric or burlap. You can also look for wicker storage baskets or shabby rugs for the floor.

3. Bathroom

Changing your bathroom decor will make any bathroom feel more luxe, no matter how small it is. One of the best parts about redecorating such a small room is that you can completely change your bathroom’s look without spending a lot of money.

Chicken-wire crates are a great shabby storage option for bathroom supplies like toilet paper and extra soap. Use vintage bottles to hold products, on a vintage tray to keep them organized.

You can even change your shower curtain to one with a shabby-chic-inspired texture or color.

4. Kitchen

You’ll find yourself wanting to cook way more often when you upgrade your kitchen with some shabby chic decor!

Re-paint and distress your cabinet doors to completely change up the look without spending much money. Look for vintage dishes and kitchen accessories, and find a distressed old kitchen table to replace your current one.

How to DIY Shabby Chic Decor

One of my favorite things about this decorating style is that it’s so easy to DIY. You can use the furniture and cabinets you already have, and give in an upgrade with paint and distressing. Or, you can turn any thrift store finds shabby with these easy steps.

1. Get Prepared

Start with an old piece of wooden furniture. You can use something you already have, or search garage sales and thrift shops for the perfect piece.

Start by cleaning off the surface of the wood. If the item has hardware or drawers, remove them before you get to work. Use warm water and soap to wash everything and let it dry completely.

Fix any issues, like rough spots in the wood. Then sand the surface all over so it’s ready to be finished.

2. Add Wax

Did you know that you can get an aged paint look without waiting for years? Before you paint your piece, just rub it with a wax candle on the spots where you want the paint to look worn. This will make the paint peel and roll on those areas.

3. Start Painting

Choose a satin or flat paint, rather than a glossy one, to get the shabby look you want. Skip the primer, since having the wood peek through will add to the shabby effect.

Start with one coat, then add another if you want a more opaque color. You can also get a two-tone effect by starting with one paint color, letting it dry, then adding some more wax and a second coat in a different color. When the second coat peels off, it will let the other color show through.

4. Add Distressing

Once all the paint is dry, it’s time for the fun part – distressing your item.

Think about where this type of furniture would have gotten worn out first. For example, a chair usually loses paint on the edge of the seat and arms first, while a dresser would probably lose paint on the drawer pulls instead.

Use steel wool or sandpaper to remove paint from those areas until you get the look you want. You can even use nails or a screwdriver to gouge the furniture in some places. Use colored wax to make the gouged areas darker, so they look old.

How Will You Use Shabby Chic Decor?

Whether you use one of these tricks or all of them, you’re sure to love the results. Shabby-chic is a timeless look that works for every room in your home!

Once you update the interior of your home, you might just find that you want the outside to match. Check out this guide to putting a pond in – you’ll get the perfect countryside feel to match your shabby decor.