How to make your home a shabby chic dream in 6 easy steps

This room is so adorable, and perfectly encapsulates the shabby chic aesthetic, so let's break it down. The bedroom features traditional elements like the four-poster bed and a vintage off-white colour scheme, and pairs it with restored vintage furniture. 

Perhaps the most stunning feature is the door. Upcycling old materials like this door is an environmentally friendly approach that looks fabulous. The key is to let it retain its worn look, but to varnish or otherwise treat the wood so that it doesn't deteriorate further.

Incorporating the materials used in the construction of your home in the decor is a fantastic way to get that shabby chic look. Materials like brick have an old-fashioned appeal that looks incredibly homely, so consider stripping back your walls and allowing those materials to stand out and set the tone of the room. 

This step is easy because you don't have to purchase anything, but you will need to talk to our homify professionals about protecting the exposed materials from the elements and general wear.

This is one of the foundation principles of shabby chic, and also the most fun. Pick up some vintage furniture from an antique store, or search around online, and find a piece you like, regardless of the condition it's in. The first thing you need to do is to make any repairs to ensure functionality. 

Next is the fun part; decorating it! The best colours for this look are pastels, like the gorgeous powder blue of this set of drawers, or off-white. Basically you should be thinking of vintage doll houses when it comes to decorating. Patterns like vintage paisley, flowers, or really any old-fashioned designs will finish it off beautifully.

The best part about shabby chic is that everything doesn't need to match perfectly, in fact it works even better if it doesn't! This is a result of using antique furniture and recycled materials, and it allows greater freedom than some other more sober styles. 

Coordinating the colour scheme is still really effective, but it should look effortless, so don't be afraid to use a number of different colours. Here they've mixed baby blue with various shades of purple, while the desks, tables, and cabinets are a simple white, for an overall appearance that is cute and whimsical.

It's important not to forget the chic part, so add a little luxury to the decor – just make sure it's recycled! Consider all of the little details in this room that contribute to the look, such as the wicker breakfast tray, the golden framed mirror, and perhaps most importantly, that chandelier! 

Chandeliers may look opulent, but that doesn't mean they have to be expensive. Find a cheap vintage chandelier from an antique shop, fix it up a little if necessary, and it will beautifully complement the more shabby aspects of your room!

This may be the most adorable outdoor planter we've ever seen! Shabby chic isn't just about restoring old furniture, it's also about repurposing. Especially if the furniture is too far gone to repair, consider using it as a decorative element. Here they've turned the bottom drawer of an antique set into a fabulous planter, and found an equally ingenious use for the seat of a chair that we suspect was on its last legs. Shabby chic is all about DIY, and this project is a super fun way to while away a weekend, especially if you get the kids involved!

And there you have it, shabby chic in six easy steps; now get to it! But if you're looking for a little more inspiration before you get started here's some fun ways to customise your bedroom!