Shabby chic living room ideas can be easily achieved if you're looking to carefully curate a mix of vintage or worn-in furniture with pieces that are soft, feminine, and comfortable.
Contemporary shabby chic living room ideas aren't overly done up as it's more comfortable and relaxed for current home aesthetics than it was upon its inception in the 1980s.
You certainly don't have to be afraid to incorporate vintage or distressed furniture or accessories in shabby chic living room ideas. There's also usually a sense of femininity, florals, or even organic materials from the earth, such as cotton and linen.
You can keep your living space feeling soft and approachable by painting your room light hues, such as creams, greys, beiges, light pinks or blues.
Some shabby chic living rooms may go the opposite route and embrace something more standout that allows the space to feel completely original and authentic.
1. Add interest to a white space with a cool worn-in chair
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White living room with marble top coffee table and yellow chair
White living room with marble top coffee table and yellow chair
White living room with marble top coffee table and yellow chair
White living room with marble top coffee table and yellow chair
White living room with marble top coffee table and yellow chair
White living room with marble top coffee table and yellow chair
White living room with marble top coffee table and yellow chair
White living room with marble top coffee table and yellow chair
Plush and romantic, this all-white space lends itself to being timeless, a tad romantic, and extremely inviting.
For those looking to exude an effortless shabby chic living room idea, you can opt for a vintage or well-loved sofa or chair, like this mid-century burnt yellow armchair. Not only does it add a pop of color to the space, but it’s super comfy as well.
Feel free to add some organic accessories, such as a mini wood side table.
2. A vintage lamp and open-style wood shelves make this space comfy
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White brick fireplace with vintage lamp and cool brown chair
White brick fireplace with vintage lamp and cool brown chair
White brick fireplace with vintage lamp and cool brown chair
White brick fireplace with vintage lamp and cool brown chair
White brick fireplace with vintage lamp and cool brown chair
White brick fireplace with vintage lamp and cool brown chair
White brick fireplace with vintage lamp and cool brown chair
White brick fireplace with vintage lamp and cool brown chair
You can curl up and read a book or visit with friends in this shabby chic living room that features a handsome white brick fireplace and brown criss-cross leather chair that appears to be well-loved.
This space can easily be kept modern and fresh by incorporating open-style wood shelving where you can showcase a host of your most prized home accessories.
A cool retro lamp sitting on a double-layered rug completes the shabby chic look.
3. A standout classic-style chandelier makes a modern space pop
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Creamy white living room with classic chandelier
Creamy white living room with classic chandelier
Creamy white living room with classic chandelier
Creamy white living room with classic chandelier
Creamy white living room with classic chandelier
Creamy white living room with classic chandelier
Creamy white living room with classic chandelier
Creamy white living room with classic chandelier
An eclectic mix of comfy furniture in neutral colors, this shabby chic living room idea embraces a wide-ranging selection of couches, chairs, and benches in an assortment of light hues that work seamlessly.
Against the creamy white walls and ceiling, you can add in a vintage-style accessory or light source, like a classic round chandelier in black metal, to complete the shabby chic look.
4. Refined and worn-in furniture that looks sumptuous to the touch
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Shabby chic living room with unique hanging light
Shabby chic living room with unique hanging light
Shabby chic living room with unique hanging light
Shabby chic living room with unique hanging light
Shabby chic living room with unique hanging light
Shabby chic living room with unique hanging light
Shabby chic living room with unique hanging light
Shabby chic living room with unique hanging light
Overlooking an expansive range of windows bringing in oodles of natural light, this shabby chic living room feels warm and inviting with cascading taupe curtains that hang to the ground.
An effortless worn-in look can easily be achieved by picking furniture like these two brown wood armchairs and voluminous green couch.
You can bring further intrigue to a space with your rug, accessories, or lighting, like with this three-pronged pendant lighting.
5. Feminine touches are completely encouraged for shabby chic
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Shabby chic living room with bright painting and pink accessories
Shabby chic living room with bright painting and pink accessories
Shabby chic living room with bright painting and pink accessories
Shabby chic living room with bright painting and pink accessories
Shabby chic living room with bright painting and pink accessories
Shabby chic living room with bright painting and pink accessories
Shabby chic living room with bright painting and pink accessories
Shabby chic living room with bright painting and pink accessories
Feminine with bursts of color, this shabby chic living room idea allows neutral wall colors to simply be a jumping-off point to take your room aesthetic in any direction you’d like.
For instance, you can take a piece of artwork, like the one featured between the retro-style light sconces, and use that to bring further inspiration to your space.
You can utilize your accent colors in unexpected ways, as is incorporated with these two pink plush armchairs.
6. A variety of colors and rich fabrics makes this space truly unique
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Shabby chic living room with pink ceiling
Shabby chic living room with pink ceiling
Shabby chic living room with pink ceiling
Shabby chic living room with pink ceiling
Shabby chic living room with pink ceiling
Shabby chic living room with pink ceiling
Shabby chic living room with pink ceiling
Shabby chic living room with pink ceiling
Colorful and full of retro vibes, this shabby chic living room idea cultivates a ton of personality by utilizing an array of velvety furniture in bright colors as well as a vintage-style rug.
You can ground a contemporary space like this that uses a varied color scheme by adding in some greenery and plants throughout.
A vintage chandelier featured in the middle of the painted pink ceiling also works to anchor the space.
7. Shabby chic can mean incorporating art deco accessories
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Shabby chic living room idea with bright colors and cool mirror
Shabby chic living room idea with bright colors and cool mirror
Shabby chic living room idea with bright colors and cool mirror
Shabby chic living room idea with bright colors and cool mirror
Shabby chic living room idea with bright colors and cool mirror
Shabby chic living room idea with bright colors and cool mirror
Shabby chic living room idea with bright colors and cool mirror
Shabby chic living room idea with bright colors and cool mirror
Rich and textured with plenty of space for entertaining, this shabby chic living room idea utilizes an assortment of textures as well as various cheerful accent hues to bring the space to life.
You can keep your living room feeling modern yet relaxed by adding furniture like these blush-coloured velvety patterned chairs that add warmth.
Plus, if you appreciate antique pieces, feel free to add intrigue with a fun art deco mirror or chandelier.
8. Blush pink walls and romantic lighting make a statement
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Living room with blush pink walls and formal chairs
Living room with blush pink walls and formal chairs
Living room with blush pink walls and formal chairs
Living room with blush pink walls and formal chairs
Living room with blush pink walls and formal chairs
Living room with blush pink walls and formal chairs
Living room with blush pink walls and formal chairs
For those that have been looking to add a hint of glamour in a subdued manner to their living space, choosing a soft hue for your walls, like blush pink, lavender, or blue, can be a starting point for a chic shabby home aesthetic.
You can add cool retro-style lighting, like a beaded chandelier or wall sconces to further enhance the vibe.
To achieve a similar look, keep your furniture choices light in color and distressed for added personality.
9. Contemporary shabby chic can be completely eclectic
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Shabby chic living room with teal wallpaper and vintage accessories
Shabby chic living room with teal wallpaper and vintage accessories
Shabby chic living room with teal wallpaper and vintage accessories
Shabby chic living room with teal wallpaper and vintage accessories
Shabby chic living room with teal wallpaper and vintage accessories
Shabby chic living room with teal wallpaper and vintage accessories
Shabby chic living room with teal wallpaper and vintage accessories
Shabby chic living room with teal wallpaper and vintage accessories
This modern shabby chic living room idea exists in a wonderful world that distinctively brings in unique vintage pieces.
For instance, it can be a focal point to use printed wallpaper in a rich color like teal, which can be beautifully offset with bright white panelled ceilings.
You can further add to the retro feel of your shabby chic space by incorporating an antique table and lamps and then using a distressed wood coffee table for contrast.
10. This space feels like your grandma’s living room elevated
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Bright white living room with floral curtains
Bright white living room with floral curtains
Bright white living room with floral curtains
Bright white living room with floral curtains
Bright white living room with floral curtains
Bright white living room with floral curtains
Bright white living room with floral curtains
Bright white living room with floral curtains
Texture and florals are the focus of this shabby chic living room idea. You can work to achieve this look by painting your walls a bright white and simply building from there.
For instance, you can keep your furniture and couches feeling comfy and lived in by choosing light fabrics such as linen.
By incorporating florals throughout the space, like with the flowing curtains or with throw pillows, it brings in color, depth, and a feminine touch.
11. Distressed furniture and soft hues add a sense of romance
There are so many little pockets of femininity or textural goodness to take in with this shabby chic living room.
For instance, a standout feature is the vintage-style light grey wallpaper that’s perfectly complemented by the distressed wood cabinets. You can further pursue those rustic wood vibes by incorporating a coffee table and side tables with the same effect.
To bring a softness to your space, you can always choose a sofa or chairs in an unexpected pastel, like this light blue couch. Throw lots of fluffy pillows and blankets on it to bring another element of texture to the space.
12. Traditional design features with lots of natural light
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Living room with comfortable seating and lots of windows
Living room with comfortable seating and lots of windows
Living room with comfortable seating and lots of windows
Living room with comfortable seating and lots of windows
Living room with comfortable seating and lots of windows
Living room with comfortable seating and lots of windows
Living room with comfortable seating and lots of windows
Living room with comfortable seating and lots of windows
A fun element involved in shabby chic home aesthetics is that you can embrace a color scheme to its fullest and allow it to completely convert your space.
For instance, if you appreciate muted tones like light yellows or greens that can pop with fun accent hues like dusty rose, you can utilize that color scheme everywhere from your walls to your throw pillows.
You can bring a hint of sophisticated romance to the space by incorporating a glass chandelier.
13. White linens and worn-in built-ins give this space an earthy feel
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White living room space with white linen furniture
White living room space with white linen furniture
White living room space with white linen furniture
White living room space with white linen furniture
White living room space with white linen furniture
White living room space with white linen furniture
White living room space with white linen furniture
If you’re looking to spruce up your space and utilize older furniture that needs a second life, don’t be afraid to give linen slipcovers a chance. They give a polished look to sofas while still keeping things relaxed.
You can also paint the walls a bright white and give your built-in wood units a coat of paint you can distress or simply rough them up with a bit of sandpaper.
Add a few bouquets of flowers to your tabletops for a touch of romance.
14. Shabby chic meets industrial
This spacious and airy shabby chic living room idea effortlessly gives industrial warehouse vibes with super high ceilings and white-washed distressed walls.
To give a large space like this a more homey feel, you can always get a neutral L-shaped couch that’s perfect for entertaining.
Add in other elements of interest by incorporating a vintage chair or retro-style gold lighting.
15. Cool artwork in vintage frames works in this subdued space
Neutral yet diverse, this shabby chic living room showcases light grey paint on the walls with feminine touches displayed through light pink cascading curtains as well as fuzzy white ottomans.
In order to give your space an edge of personality with a vintage feel, you can put up some aged bronze retro frames with your favorite artwork inside.
Add in a glass-top antique coffee table to give the space a sophisticated look.
16. Shabby chic can exist with lots of classic wood features
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Classic living room with light yellow walls and wood furniture
Classic living room with light yellow walls and wood furniture
Classic living room with light yellow walls and wood furniture
Classic living room with light yellow walls and wood furniture
Classic living room with light yellow walls and wood furniture
Classic living room with light yellow walls and wood furniture
Classic living room with light yellow walls and wood furniture
Shabby chic can easily be achieved for those with more traditional tastes. For instance, if you paint the walls a soft hue like a pastel yellow or light blue, it can help give a jumping-off point for other design features.
For those that appreciate antique wood armoires or dressers, bring those into the space for vintage elements as well as functional storage.
Add in floral curtains or a contemporary chandelier to modernize and soften the space.
17. This shabby chic living room gives a hint of beachy sophistication
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Shabby chic living room with aqua colored couch
Shabby chic living room with aqua colored couch
Shabby chic living room with aqua colored couch
Shabby chic living room with aqua colored couch
Shabby chic living room with aqua colored couch
Shabby chic living room with aqua colored couch
Shabby chic living room with aqua colored couch
Shabby chic living room with aqua colored couch
Oozing with eclectic elegance, this shabby chic living room maintains a relaxed yet polished look with bright white paint on the walls and hardwood flooring.
You can incorporate a showstopping piece by adding a sofa or chairs in a soft but fun color and piling it with accent pillows of various textures.
Feel free to further escalate the space by finding antique tables or accessories, like this aged bronze side table.
18. A kitchen and living space that feels cohesive yet diverse
A blending of caramels, light browns, and creams, this shabby chic living room idea establishes that you can have an open-concept space and still make an impact.
This shabby chic kitchen and living room space is relaxed but presented with unity as all of the colors, from the kitchen cabinetry to the sofas and chairs, work together seamlessly.
For some unexpected texture, you can always incorporate a cool coffee table, like these organic wood stump tables.
19. A neutral space featuring furniture and accents that just pop
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Living room with bright carpet and light green sofa
Living room with bright carpet and light green sofa
Living room with bright carpet and light green sofa
Living room with bright carpet and light green sofa
Living room with bright carpet and light green sofa
Living room with bright carpet and light green sofa
Living room with bright carpet and light green sofa
Living room with bright carpet and light green sofa
If you’re a bit undecided on what you want your home aesthetic to be, you can always go for a neutral wall color like grey and spice things up with your furniture and carpeting.
For instance, a shabby chic living room idea can allow for your personality to come through by incorporating those key pieces, like a vibrantly printed rug or vintage chair or couch featuring a fun print.
You can offset all the color by including an aged bronze coffee table and matching side table.
20. You don’t have to be afraid of bright colors with shabby chic
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Living room with bright yellow carpet and burnt orange couch
Living room with bright yellow carpet and burnt orange couch
Living room with bright yellow carpet and burnt orange couch
Living room with bright yellow carpet and burnt orange couch
Living room with bright yellow carpet and burnt orange couch
Living room with bright yellow carpet and burnt orange couch
Living room with bright yellow carpet and burnt orange couch
Living room with bright yellow carpet and burnt orange couch
Sometimes inspiration comes from the most original of places and that can certainly include a fun poster like this.
This shabby chic living room idea showcases a dark teal floor that’s nicely covered by a bright yellow fuzzy rug with a burnt orange velvety sofa. All of the colors have been carefully curated from the poster featured on the wall.
Don’t forget to bring in a sense of naturalness with items like your light fixtures or even the wood frames around your photos and prints.
21. Playful florals and soft pinks truly make this space
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Living space with pink floral wallpaper
Living space with pink floral wallpaper
Living space with pink floral wallpaper
Living space with pink floral wallpaper
Living space with pink floral wallpaper
Living space with pink floral wallpaper
Living space with pink floral wallpaper
Living space with pink floral wallpaper
Ideal for those looking to add a real feminine touch to their living space, this shabby chic living room idea showcases a delicate pink floral wallpaper featuring a playful retro print.
You can choose to fully inhabit the space with whimsical details and colors by choosing a pink linen sofa and fluffy throw pillows.
Aged and painted wood furniture can complete the look in a relaxed and casual manner.
22. A contemporary cabin feel that’s perfect for reading
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Living room with whitewashed wood panelling
Living room with whitewashed wood panelling
Living room with whitewashed wood panelling
Living room with whitewashed wood panelling
Living room with whitewashed wood panelling
Living room with whitewashed wood panelling
Living room with whitewashed wood panelling
Featuring a natural wood feel that’s elevated due to the panelling being white-washed, this shabby chic living room feels bright and inviting but not overly fancy with distressed wood flooring as well.
If you want to ground your space, don’t be afraid to incorporate furniture that looks aged and worn-in, like these two brown leather armchairs. You can always add whimsy to them by incorporating some floral, patterned, or fluffy pillows.
23. Lots of classic touches make this shabby chic space stand out
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Living room with fireplace and green curtains
Living room with fireplace and green curtains
Living room with fireplace and green curtains
Living room with fireplace and green curtains
Living room with fireplace and green curtains
Living room with fireplace and green curtains
Living room with fireplace and green curtains
Living room with fireplace and green curtains
If you’re looking to create a sitting space that feels mature and refined, this shabby chic living room idea showcases a creamy fireplace with a dark wood mantlepiece.
You can add in accents of vintage pieces around the space to give a sense of history, like the old-fashioned tree landscape painting in an aged frame hanging over the mantle.
It’s also possible to play with texture, like when you incorporate old-school chairs with wicker backing or a fun throw carpet featuring an abstract textured design.
24. This bright space feels like you’ve brought your country garden inside
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Living room with big window and floral rug
Living room with big window and floral rug
Living room with big window and floral rug
Living room with big window and floral rug
Living room with big window and floral rug
Living room with big window and floral rug
Living room with big window and floral rug
This shabby chic living room idea details how you can create a space that’s filled with unique personal touches while still maintaining a contemporary feel.
For instance, you can paint your room a bright white from floor to ceiling and add in a charming floral carpet or throw pillows.
Individuality can be easily achieved by using unique everyday containers to display your plants and greenery, like an antique trunk or cool open-style black box.
25. Beige or tan walls can be a great neutral alternative to white
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Living room with light carpet and white brick fireplace
Living room with light carpet and white brick fireplace
Living room with light carpet and white brick fireplace
Living room with light carpet and white brick fireplace
Living room with light carpet and white brick fireplace
Living room with light carpet and white brick fireplace
Living room with light carpet and white brick fireplace
Living room with light carpet and white brick fireplace
Shabby chic living room ideas can be easily achieved, even for those with a neutral palette. For instance, you can keep the room feeling modern by painting the walls a light beige and painting your brick fireplace white.
More shabby chic details can come into play by integrating some vintage furniture, like these two chairs with dark floral cushions.
Also, a white linen sofa feels crisp and clean but can be nicely offset by a charming coffee table, like this aqua colored glass table.
26. Play with various shades of blue in your shabby chic space
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Shabby chic living room idea with blue accents
Shabby chic living room idea with blue accents
Shabby chic living room idea with blue accents
Shabby chic living room idea with blue accents
Shabby chic living room idea with blue accents
Shabby chic living room idea with blue accents
Shabby chic living room idea with blue accents
Shabby chic living room idea with blue accents
Dressed up and tasteful, this living room space allows shabby chic to take the color blue and completely run with it.
For example, if you have a favorite color in mind, you can always paint your walls with a pastel version of it that’s more subdued and use a darker shade in your furniture, curtains, or accessories.
You can always top off your space with a hint of romance by incorporating a glass beaded chandelier as well.
27. A shabby chic reading nook
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Living space with built-in bookshelves and fireplace
Living space with built-in bookshelves and fireplace
Living space with built-in bookshelves and fireplace
Living space with built-in bookshelves and fireplace
Living space with built-in bookshelves and fireplace
Living space with built-in bookshelves and fireplace
Living space with built-in bookshelves and fireplace
Living space with built-in bookshelves and fireplace
For those that like to browse their favorite vintage or antique shop on the weekend, you can easily incorporate those finds into your shabby chic living room idea.
In this contemporary living space, the creamy built-in bookshelves stacked full of books create a seamless backdrop for an array of comfortable and well-loved chairs that are perfect for reading.
You can further heighten the shabby chic vibes by distressing the woodwork around your fireplace or using a natural throw rug for function as well as texture.
28. Shabby chic can also feel elegant with classic touches
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Bright white living room with blue vintage ottomans
Bright white living room with blue vintage ottomans
Bright white living room with blue vintage ottomans
Bright white living room with blue vintage ottomans
Bright white living room with blue vintage ottomans
Bright white living room with blue vintage ottomans
Bright white living room with blue vintage ottomans
Bright white living room with blue vintage ottomans
This shabby chic living room idea establishes that you can have more traditional tastes in your space and still embrace that design aesthetic.
For instance, a modernized shabby chic vibe allows for more natural and relaxed fabrics to shine, like with these creamy white linen slipcovers featured on the couches.
You can add in a subdued accent color to play with as well, like the lilac-blue featured in the antique ottomans and throw pillows on the sofa.
29. This Victorian-style aged wallpaper totally sets the mood
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Living room with green patterned wallpaper
Living room with green patterned wallpaper
Living room with green patterned wallpaper
Living room with green patterned wallpaper
Living room with green patterned wallpaper
For those that appreciate a printed wallpaper, this Victorian-style aged green wallpaper completely adds character to this shabby chic living space.
Once you pick your focal point for a room, you can simply build from there, like adding in furniture like this green sofa that complements the wallpaper choice.
Don’t be shy about adding in some upscale pieces, like this retro-style freestanding storage cabinet that features shiny mirrored strips across the front.
30. Modern shabby chic vibes with whitewashed everything
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Bright white living room with whitewashed furniture
Bright white living room with whitewashed furniture
Bright white living room with whitewashed furniture
Bright white living room with whitewashed furniture
Bright white living room with whitewashed furniture
Bright white living room with whitewashed furniture
Bright white living room with whitewashed furniture
Bright white living room with whitewashed furniture
This contemporary shabby chic living room idea seamlessly allows an all-white aesthetic to maintain a relaxed yet focused feel.
Painting your walls white, including your panelling and built-in unit around the fireplace, gives the space a fresh perspective.
You can go more casual with some of your furniture options, especially if you choose antique options like these two armchairs, and decide to give them a distressed and aged look with some white paint.