Shabby chic furniture inspiration for your home makeover

“Frilly” often feels like a synonym for fussy. But in shabby chic decor, frilly is always fuss-free. This unapologetically feminine style is full of ruffles, lace, crystal chandeliers, and rose-print fabrics. And because it pairs these dainty details with distressed furniture, faded wall art, and delicately chipped paint patinas, every piece feels comfortable and inviting.

Designer Rachel Ashwell originated the term “shabby chic” in the 1990s, but this style was around for centuries before that. Shabby chic style is essentially a reinvention of French Country decor, and it’s being reinvented again as cottage core decor and grandmillenial style. But while the name may change, this interior design style is here to stay. By designing a shabby chic home, you can invest in furniture and decor that will stand the test of time.

Since your furniture is the foundation of your home design, it’s the best place to start your home makeover. Once your furniture is in place, you’ll be able to envision your finishing touches—like pastel blankets, vintage (or vintage-inspired) accents, and floral throw pillows.

To help you get started, we’ve rounded up our 11 favorite pieces of shabby chic furniture for the living room, dining room, and bedroom.

4 pieces of shabby chic furniture for the living room

Your living room furniture should make you want to curl up on the couch and get comfy. Although shabby chic furniture has high-end details like rolled arms and turned legs, its lived-in appearance ensures you still feel comfortable kicking up your feet and relaxing.

1. Hobson 6-Piece Reversible Cushion Modular Sofa in Off White

This overstuffed sectional is neither too modern nor too traditional. The off-white upholstery makes a neutral background for ruffled, floral throw pillows. In spite of the light color, it features a stain-resistant performance fabric made for everyday living. While it would work just as well in a contemporary living room, it’s the perfect shabby chic furniture piece to surround you with comfort once you throw in some plush accents and a large ottoman.

2. Glenn Cushion Back Sofa in Light Grey

With tailored English arms, turned bun legs, and plush cushions, the Glenn Sofa will look like it was taken right out of an English country cottage and plopped down in your living room. It’s the quintessential shabby chic sofa design. Its solid wood frame makes it a solid investment, and you can get the complete set by adding a matching loveseat, and a grey houndstooth accent chair.

3. Cecilia Upholstered Tufted Sectional in Oatmeal

For a sofa with an elegant, traditional silhouette, the Cecilia sectional features a linen-like upholstery in an oatmeal hue — a classic neutral shade in shabby chic design. The wide rolled arms, button-tufted fabric, and attached chaise are the picture of old-timey elegance. A simple ruffle throw blanket will add another layer of softness to this already feminine look.

4. Cora Coffee Table With Mirror Shelf in Chocolate Chrome and Clear

The glittering elegance of this glass and mirror coffee table will make your shabby chic home decor sparkle. The chocolate chrome metal base is reminiscent of rose gold and will tie in with the traditional pink and taupe hues of this interior design style. Place a few vintage books and a porcelain vase full of fresh flowers on top, and your design will shine. You can pair it with a matching console table and side tables for a matching living room set.

2 pieces of shabby chic furniture for the dining room

In the dining room, shabby chic furniture is perfect for hosting. Not only does it make everyone feel at home as they gather around the table, but the worn-in look of shabby chic furniture lets your friends and family know that spills, messes, and the realities of everyday life are welcome here.

1. Madelyn 5-Piece Rectangle Dining Set in Dark Cocoa and Coastal White

For a shabby chic dining room made easy, this 5-piece Madelyn set is everything you need. The white base of the chairs and dining table will pair beautifully with the muted tones of the rest of your decor while the dark wood top provides rustic contrast. Hang a crystal chandelier above it, add a few candlesticks, arrange a flower centerpiece, and you won’t need any more decorating ideas to complete your dining room.

2. Brockway 4-Door Server in Barley Brown

This sideboard will add antique charm — and a lot of storage — to your dining room with its aged mirror doors. It also features vintage cabinet pulls and a north-star-inspired accent in the center of each door. Pair it with the Brockway Rectangular Trestle Dining Set to complete the look.

5 pieces of shabby chic furniture for the bedroom

We love cottage-inspired decor in any room of the house, but a shabby chic bedroom is one of the best ways to show off this whimsical and comforting design aesthetic. From a ruffly duvet cover to a wrought iron headboard, every element of your bedroom furniture and decor is ready for this romantic style.

1. June Upholstered Arched Headboard in Blush

This headboard is covered in pink velvet upholstery, making one of the signature shades of this style the centerpiece of your bedroom. The simple arched design will bring a more modern and minimalist interpretation of shabby chic decor into your bedroom.

2. Franco Storage Bed in Antique White

The wire-brushed antique white finish on this Franco bed frame provides that artfully aged patina that’s a signature element of shabby chic painted furniture. The headboard looks like it’s made from repurposed antique shutters, giving it a vintage shabby chic vibe.

3. Packlan Metal Panel Bed

A metal bed frame adds timeless style to any bedroom, and the Packlan Metal Bed Frame transports us to another time and place. Its quatrefoil detail is inspired by vintage French country design and it’s giving plenty of personality. All it needs is a shabby chic ruffle duvet to complete your romantic bedroom design.

4. Stillwood 2-Drawer Nightstand in Vintage Linen

With turned legs and antique bronze drawer pulls, this 2-drawer nightstand has an unpretentious vintage feel. The white-washed finish gives it a worn-in look that would take hours of sanding if you attempted it as a DIY project. The gently worn white color reveals the wood grain underneath and ties the base of this nightstand in with the ash brown tabletop. Pair it with a matching dresser to complete the look.

5. Sandy Beach 11-Drawer Rectangular Dresser in Buttermilk

The glass cabinet doors on this Sandy Beach 11-Drawer Dresser reveal neatly organized drawers beneath, giving this vintage-inspired home decor the look of an old jewelry chest. Style a vase of English roses on the dresser top to add instant elegance to your shabby chic bedroom. You can get a complete bedroom set with the matching storage chest and nightstands.

C’est très chic

Anyone who’s ever strived to look effortlessly beautiful can appreciate shabby chic decor. Delicate feminine features paired with worn-in fabrics and furniture give it that “I woke up like this” feel. It’s pretty without trying too hard — and that fuss-free beauty makes the shabby chic aesthetic comfortable and inviting.

If you want shabby chic furniture that not only looks comfortable but actually is comfortable, then it’s time to shop in person. When you shop for furniture in person, you can make sure it looks as good in real life as it does in the pictures. You can open dresser drawers, sit on sofa cushions, and make sure every piece provides that lived-in cottage comfort you’re looking for.

Head to your local Coaster Furniture retailer to find the pieces that will transform your home into a shabby chic sanctuary.