When people think of shabby chic home decorating, they usually picture worn, dust-ridden furniture and soft furnishings with Mediterranean or French accents. This is not quite the entire shabby chic decorating idea. There are many other things you can do with shabby chic home decor. In fact, you can create your own rustic or shabby chic theme in your house and make it look cozy and inviting.
First of all, shabby chic home decor is all about subtlety. You do not want to have bright colors or too many frills. This kind of decoration is about using little amount of colors, so as to make a big impact with little details. Your shabby chic home decor should be all about layers instead of big splashes or bold colors. For shabby chic home decor, the furniture should be used sparsely, but still in great numbers. Fabrics that are used in shabby chic home decorating are very feminine and charming, such as linen, velvet, chenille, lace and chiffon.
The accessories used in shabby chic home decorating are very simplistic and limited. Instead of using lots of crystal, glass or metal pieces, stick to accessories that are made out of wood, pottery, terracotta, and fabrics with a slight worn look on them. The walls can be lined with lace, but no soap colored soaps! Keep in mind that shabby chic home decor is all about bright, fresh colors.
Small spaces must be decorated in light, airy colors that are repeated throughout the entire room. You can accomplish this by painting the walls a pale, pastel color. If you want to add some shabby chic elements to your space, then choose shabby chic rugs instead of wall hangings. They can bring in the worn texture and tone from the walls, and also create some extra texture on the floor. Placing some candles on the shabby chic rugs can add to the relaxed atmosphere of the shabby chic home decorating.
Furniture in shabby chic home decorating is very simple, yet comfortable and inviting. Choose soft, plush area rugs over hard, solid surface pieces. Don’t mix solid color with shabby chic furniture. Soft fabrics, such as chenille, will make the furniture feel more like an oasis. Place a votive candle in front of the couch or chair and it will create a lovely aromatherapy area in the shabby chic home decorating.
Area rugs in shabby chic decorating can have the effect of “zipping” the room together. They can serve as decorative accents for your area as well as acting as footrests. The trick to using rugs in shabby chic decorating is to think of them as temporary coverings for your furniture. Use the rug as an area rug, rather than trying to cover up a bad area with wall-to-wall carpeting.
Another great shabby chic home decorating idea is to incorporate rugs into your kitchen. When done correctly, this creates the feel of a rustic country kitchen – without being stuck in the past! To create the effect you want, match the color of your shabby chic furniture to the rug that goes in the kitchen. If your furniture is wood, go with a lighter shade for the walls, and a darker one for the countertops. For an authentic shabby chic kitchen, don’t forget the dish towels and dish racks to complete the look.
The key to shabby chic decorating is creating the atmosphere without overdoing it. The furniture can be in any color, but don’t let it overwhelm the space. Add a few decorative accessories, such as rugs, dishes, or candle holders, and you’ve got a beautifully cozy space that will quickly become your favorite place to be. These shabby chic decorating ideas for small spaces are sure to turn your home into the perfect place to call home.