Shabby chic is a timeless interior design that never goes out of fashion. It has an elegant yet relaxed style with just the right touch of vintage charm. The shabby chic bedroom furniture generally has a warm, romantic touch and textures, making it perfect for couples. They have a worn-out look without the heaviness of antique furniture.
Though shabby chic rose to popularity in the 1980s, it is still in style, but with a few updates made to make the look more refreshing and classy. So, if you're looking to incorporate shabby chic interior design in your bedroom, this article will help you find various shabby chic bedroom ideas that you can incorporate.
Features of Shabby Chic Design
1. Add Modern Twist
Shabby chic can be incorporated in both classic and contemporary looks. You can easily add a modern touch to shabby chic to keep the vintage look alive while not looking too old-fashioned. Though shabby chic is traditionally associated with a feminine look, adding modern touches can help you sidestep this stigma and make it look welcoming for any gender.
2. Shabby Chic is a Timeless Beauty
In the world of design, trends come and go, but the ones that stay are usually the classic styles. Designs with strong roots are more likely to stay popular and relevant, and they don’t fade away with time.
Shabby chic is one of the styles that has managed to maintain its appeal and charm for a very long time. It became popular in the 1980s and has been loved since then. This is because of its vintage roots and the quality of furniture that makes it look fresh.
3. The Elegance in Shabby Chic
It is important to focus on the “Chic” part, as this is what brings elegance to the shabby chic design. This is what makes the place stylish instead of messy and outdated. The high-quality, well-made, elegant furniture can help you create a timeless and classic bedroom design.
Other important factors are high-quality quality fancy fabrics like soft French linen duvet cover or faux fur throw that make the room look good. Lighting is also a significant part of this style, hence lamps and chandeliers are used to elevate the space.
Shabby chic brings new and old styles together and creates a unique mix of both these styles.
17 Shabby Chic Bedroom Ideas
1. Keep it Simple
Shabby chic was traditionally recognised by the layers of fabrics, ruffles and decorative objects. But the modern style focuses on the simple use of vintage furnishings and old repurposed items. Use objects, such as old baskets, old shutters and antique suitcases, which can be reused with a new look. These simple changes can enhance your bedroom's look and make it look elegant.
2. Choose Soothing Colours
It's best to use white, cream and pastels such as pink, blue, green and purple to create a soothing atmosphere within the room. Most palettes choose white as the base because of its fresh, versatile and relaxing feel.
White makes the place look spacious and also allows other colours to stand out. Start by painting your walls and ceiling white, especially with soft shades like chalky white or creamy white.
3. Add Distressed Wooden Furniture
If you want a shabby chic bedroom, skip the regular polished furniture pieces. The old vintage furniture is the main key to achieving the look. Look for unique and quirky items that can be found in vintage markets or second-hand stores.
Choose wooden materials as they give the perfect aged, worn-out look, especially those colored in distressed colored paint. These pieces come with certain flaws, so to ensure your bedroom looks shabby and chic, you must accept the flaws, too.
4. Add Pieces With Intricate Details
Shabby chic furniture doesn’t always have a distressed look. You can also include ornate details and lines instead of sharp edges and simple designs. Look for things like doors with recessed panels, curved legs, fancy nightstands, bed frames, wooden wardrobes, and chests of drawers with carved patterns. These details give a classic feel to the furniture.
5. Add Contemporary Pieces
Try mixing styles from different eras to give a modern touch to your shabby chic bedroom. Mix furniture pieces and decor even if they don’t perfectly match. This intentional mix and match will add character to the space and make it cosy, warm and fresh. Ensure not to go overboard with the mismatched decor.
For example, you can use a modern glass lamp instead of the typical antique style lamp with the shabby chic white table for a contemporary look. This mix will make the room look balanced between old and modern.
6. Choose the Right Headboard
You can choose a vintage white headboard as it gives the bedroom a calm and serene look. But, be careful as an all white room can look too plain and basic. So, consider adding antique-style furniture like a wooden carved headboard to bring charm to the place without breaking the clean white colour look.
7. Use Wallpapers
White walls are the most common choice for shabby chic bedrooms, but decorative wallpapers can also be considered as an option. Choose soft, traditional shabby chic colored wallpapers. These are generally pastel shades or creamy backgrounds.
When selecting the pattern, go for gentle, natural patterns, especially floral designs. You can also choose soft, delicate and harmonious abstract options. These wallpapers add personality to the bedroom while maintaining the shabby chic style.
8. Add Layered Bedding
Bedding plays an important role in creating the shabby chic bedroom look. Use different fabrics and layers to create a cosy and inviting look in your bedroom. Add ruffled duvet cover, and lace or crochet throws. Finally, add pillows in different patterns, shapes and sizes. For designs, choose floral patterns or other vintage prints for a more enhanced look.
9. Add a Bench
Adding a piece of furniture at the foot of the bed is a smart way to highlight the details of the room. Choose a bench or an ottoman, especially with cabriole or decorative legs, distressed feel and decorative details.
Identify the place to keep the bench before buying. Adding a bench or ottoman can create additional seating space while enhancing the overall shabby chic look.
10. Add Boho Elements
Shabby chic and boho chic have common designs, and therefore, using them together would create a unique and beautiful space and would also complement each other. Since both use white colour in abundance, it will create a natural, relaxed feel.
You can create your own balance and mix the two styles. For instance, add rattan or bamboo furniture, leafy plants, and exotic patterns to give a boho touch. This will add life and freshness without breaking the pattern of the shabby chic look.
11. Painted Furniture
Though distressed furniture is a key element of shabby chic style, you can also paint newer items to create the same vintage and timeless appearance. A simple coat of paint in white, cream or pastel colours will make the furniture blend with the shabby chic style.
The light and airy colours make the space feel fresh. With the right amount of lighting, correct colour palette and matching colored furniture, you can easily create a beautiful room.
12. Let Natural Light In
If the room has one or more large windows, don’t keep them covered with thick curtains all the time. Letting in natural light will make the room feel bright and fresh, and works best with white, soft, light colored walls. The sunlight will emphasise this white wall and make the room feel bigger, creating a calm and peaceful space.
13. Add Hints of Shabby Chic Style
If you love the soft layering and vintage materials of shabby chic but don’t want to overdo it, just add a small touch of shabby chic in your space. This will create a clean look to the room while giving the perfect amount of vintage look. The best idea would be to mix the elements of different retro styles like Art Deco, cottagecore, shabby chic, and midcentury modern.
14. Add a Vanity
Adding a makeup vanity is both decorative, practical, and perfect for a shabby chic bedroom. But be sure that you have enough room for the makeup vanity. Look for a vanity with soft colours like white, cream or pastel colours that match the decor of the room. A slightly worn-out or distressed finish will add to the shabby chic perfectly.
You can go with round or oval-shaped mirrors as they look classic. Details like cabriole or decorative legs will make the piece feel more vintage. A chair with an upholstery pattern would just complete the look and tie everything together.
15. Add a Matching Rug
The room can look plain or boring if the floor and furniture are the same colour. Consider adding a patterned rug, which can be the perfect way to break this monochromatic look and add some life to the room.
Choosing the perfect rug will enhance the shabby chic look. You can use floral or natural patterns. Washed out designs and Persian or vintage rugs all add the perfect aged finish to the room. You not only add colour but also bring in texture and patterns to the room without disturbing the calmness of the shabby chic decor.
16. Add Ornate Elements
What differentiates shabby chic interiors from other modern, contemporary, or minimalist designs is the use of beautiful, ornate details. You can use posters for bed frames, curved headboards, detailed drawer handles and elegant lighting fixtures.
In shabby chic style, it's not just about functional designs. The small yet decorative details can make a huge difference. They add a nostalgic, soft and feminine touch that is associated with this shabby chic style.
17. Consider Vintage Metal Bed Frames
Apart from poster beds and carved wooden frames, you can consider adding a traditional metal bed for a more vintage feel. Metal beds with soft, harmonious lines fit perfectly in your shabby chic bedroom. They bring the right amount of old-fashioned charm while being elegant.
Another advantage of such beds is that they don’t occupy a lot of space. Because of the open space, you can see the wall behind them, which makes the room look bigger and airy. Therefore, these beds are a smart and logical choice, especially in smaller bedrooms.
Final Words
Shabby chic has a soft, romantic and delicate look that works well in bedrooms. From floral patterned bedding to distressed furniture, incorporating the perfect elements will create a perfect bedroom. The bedroom would look like a vintage and nostalgic place full of sweet, old-fashioned touches.
