Etsy shabby chic decor is fast becoming one of the most popular trends in home decorating. If you’re wondering what it is, it’s basically a style that brings a little bit of shabby chic decorating to your home with vintage finds and found objects that have been gently used over time. Shabby chic is also very much a personal style and some people might love it while others would find it a total nightmare. It all depends on your own personality and where your personality comes from. Shabby chic, just like any other type of decor, can be made to fit any room in your house but there are some things that I would personally stay away from.
The most important thing to remember when planning your shabby chic home decor is that it’s supposed to be worn with a certain air of shabby chic. So, if you want your shabby chic home decor to look nice you have to keep your pieces in good condition and clean. Nothing says “shabby chic” like a used pair of jeans or an old t-shirt. You also don’t want to team your shabby chic furniture with anything too trendy or with too many other decorative pieces.
Other than the obvious, avoid anything that has been scuffed or marked. Remember that your shabby chic decor is supposed to look worn and used. So, anything that hasn’t been stained treated or even gently used, well, forget about it. Also, don’t go overboard when picking out shabby chic furniture. Too many frills or decorative elements can distract from the main theme of shabby chic decor.
The next thing that you need to keep in mind when planning your shabby chic home decor colors. Choose soft pastel or pale colors for your walls. Soft pastels will be easier on the eye and overall make your shabby chic home decor look more inviting. This is not the time for bright, vivid colors. Remember, this is supposed to be a relaxed, comfortable space that anyone at anytime can enjoy.
When it comes to the accent pieces in your shabby chic decor, you have a few options. A great way to use shabby chic accent pieces is to mix them with pieces from other decorating themes. For example, if you’re using shabby chic paint and stencils from an old country home, add pieces from an Americana theme. Or you could just use a few antique mirrors to achieve a feeling of vintage. Whatever you end up choosing, make sure it matches with whatever else you have going on in your shabby chic home decor.
The key to pulling off shabby chic decor is to choose pieces that are both worn and well-used. For example, old brocade curtains can be used as a colorful tieback to your shabby chic wall decor, or they can be used as a throw over a chair. If you want to use shabby chic curtains as a curtain, try to choose ones with an unusual color or pattern. You should also look for curtains with unique backs which give them a worn appearance, which makes them interesting to look at.
For the flooring in your shabby chic home decor, you’ll probably want to go with rough wood such as boards or large, uneven slabs of stone. The pieces you choose for the floor should also match the decor in your shabby chic home. For example, if you’re using lace window treatments in your French country living room, find shabby chic French country pieces to use as your flooring throughout. The same goes for shabby chic bedding and furniture, which should also coordinate with the accent pieces you’ve chosen.
Because shabby chic is an eclectic style that combines vintage and new age ideas, there’s a good chance that whatever you buy will either date or update itself. Therefore, it’s important to think carefully about the items you purchase. If you have the means to replace shabby chic products every so often, that’s great; however, if you’re on a budget, you’ll likely just have to settle for gently used pieces that you know are in great shape. It’s a much better solution than buying a lot of brand new furniture!