“Who knew Amazon had so much shabby chic décor?” Is what I tweeted the other day after searching Amazon for décor for my feminine master bedroom. You may know already if you read my blog or follow me on Instagram that I love the shabby chic look. It’s so pretty and English and fancy and floral. I also love all things rustic and distressed so the shabby chic look is really my perfect match. What I learned from my search is that there is so much great shabby chic decor on Amazon, it really is a one-stop-shop for decorating your home if you love shabby chic style.
What is shabby chic?
Shabby chic is a decorating style that embraces the beauty of imperfection. It’s a timeless and has been popular for decades and continues to be a favorite among homeowners and designers alike. Shabby chic style incorporates vintage pieces, distressed finishes, and soft pastels to create an airy, yet cozy, atmosphere. Below, we’re going to explore the key elements of shabby chic and how you can incorporate them into your home.
History of Shabby Chic
Shabby chic emerged in the 1980s as a reaction to the high-gloss, sleek styles that were popular at the time. This decorating style was inspired by the English country style, which emphasizes comfort, tradition, and natural materials. The term “shabby chic” was coined by Rachel Ashwell–a favorite designer of mine and the queen of shabby chic–who opened a boutique in California in the 1980s, selling vintage and distressed furniture.
The style quickly gained popularity and became associated with romanticism and a lived-in, comfortable aesthetic. Shabby chic decor is characterized by a mix of old and new, vintage and modern, distressed and polished pieces. It’s a style that celebrates the beauty of imperfections and the charm of well-worn items.
Key Elements of Shabby Chic
- Vintage Pieces: Shabby chic decor incorporates vintage pieces, such as antique furniture, vintage textiles, and old-fashioned accessories. These pieces have a worn-in look that will add character to your space.
- Distressed Finishes: Distressed finishes are a hallmark of shabby chic decor. Furniture is often painted in soft pastels and then distressed to create a worn-in, vintage look. This can be achieved through sanding, rubbing, or scraping the paint. See how I distressed my French Shabby Chic Dresser during its makeover.
- Soft Pastels: Soft pastels, such as blush pink, pale blue, and mint green, are common colors used in shabby chic decorating. These colors add a touch of femininity and romance to the space.
- Floral Patterns: Floral patterns are another signature of shabby chic style. They can be found on textiles, wallpaper, and even furniture. These patterns add a touch of whimsy and nostalgia to the space. See my post 5 Ways To Give Your Furniture A Shabby Chic Look for some other great ideas.
- Natural Materials: Shabby chic decor incorporates natural materials, such as wood, cotton, and linen. These materials add a sense of warmth and texture to the space while bringing elements of the outside indoors.
Incorporating Shabby Chic Decor into Your Home
- To create a shabby chic space in your home, start with a neutral foundation: shabby chic decor is often associated with soft pastels, but a neutral base is a great place to start. Choose white or cream for the walls and then layer in pastel accents through textiles and accessories.
- Mix old and new: shabby chic decor is all about the mix. Mix old and new pieces, vintage and modern styles, and distressed and polished finishes.
- Embrace imperfection: don’t be afraid to embrace imperfection. Choose furniture with a worn-in look or distress it yourself. The imperfections add character and charm to the space, which are the heart and soul of shabby chic style.
- Incorporate florals: floral patterns are a key element of shabby chic. Incorporate them through textiles, wallpaper, or even fresh flowers.
- Add texture: natural materials like wood, cotton, and linen add texture and warmth to the space. Use them in the form of area rugs, throw pillows, and curtains.
- Don’t forget lace: lace is like the icing on top. It adds a feminine frill that is necessary to fully embody all that shabby chic really is.
From clocks to shower curtains, wall art and bedding, Amazon has a huge supply of delicate and feminine shabby chic décor. See some of my favorite shabby chic decor on Amazon below:
Looking for more shabby chic? Check out my other post, 15 Fabulous Shabby Chic Kitchens.
page says
love all of the items you curated – i definitely need to shop amazon more 🙂 x
Katie says
Thanks! I’m always finding fun, unexpected décor.