Shabby Chic Decor: 13 Grandma Era Looks That Are Suddenly Back in Style

Shabby chic decor is officially back, and it is bringing a wave of happy memories with it. Good Housekeeping reported this month that the nostalgic 90s look is making a comeback, riding the same wave as cottagecore and grandma everything. Chippy white paint, faded roses, ruffles and lace feel soft and comforting after years of cold gray rooms, and even younger decorators who missed it the first time are falling for it. The style also loves thrift store finds, which makes it one of the most budget friendly trends around. Here are 13 grandma era looks, from rose decoupage to teacup planters, with simple steps to make each one at home..

Shabby Chic Decor Is Back

Do you remember grandma’s guest room, with chippy white furniture, faded roses on everything and lace at every window? For years it was called old fashioned. Now it feels warm, gentle and wonderfully real. In a world full of gray and glass, soft florals and worn paint feel like a hug. The best part is that this style loves thrift store finds, flea market treasures and things you already own. It is less about buying new and more about making old things pretty again. Which grandma era piece is hiding in your home right now..

You will need: A few thrifted pieces, chalk style paint in white or pastel, fine sandpaper, floral paper napkins, decoupage medium and lace.

How to make it: 1. Pick a soft color palette like white, blush and mint. 2. Choose one piece of furniture to start. 3. Add florals and lace a little at a time. 4. Keep it light, airy and a bit imperfect.

A Chalky Nightstand With Rose Decoupage

The heart of the look is painted furniture with a little wear. Paint a small nightstand in chalky white, sand the edges lightly so wood peeks through, then decoupage a rose napkin onto the drawer front. It looks like a treasured antique in one weekend. Wear a dust mask while sanding, and if the piece is very old, test for lead paint first and skip sanding if it is positive. Want more napkin projects? See our napkin decoupage ideas. Which room needs a pretty nightstand?

You will need: A small wooden nightstand, chalk style paint, fine sandpaper, a dust mask, a rose paper napkin, decoupage medium and a soft brush.

How to make it: 1. Clean the piece and paint two coats of white. 2. Sand the edges lightly, wearing a dust mask. 3. Separate the top layer of the napkin and smooth it onto the drawer with decoupage medium. 4. Seal with one more coat.

A Gallery Wall of Distressed White Frames

Mismatched frames from the thrift store become a dreamy gallery wall once they are all painted white and lightly sanded. Fill them with vintage floral prints, old botanical book pages or even pretty scraps of wallpaper. Hang them close together in a loose cluster above a bench or bed. The mix of shapes is what makes it charming. Frames are one of the cheapest ways to try shabby chic decor before committing to bigger pieces. How many old frames do you have tucked away?

You will need: Thrifted picture frames, white chalk style paint, sandpaper, floral prints and picture hanging hooks.

How to make it: 1. Remove the glass and backs. 2. Paint the frames white and let them dry. 3. Sand the raised edges lightly. 4. Add prints and hang them in a loose cluster.

A Napkin Decoupage Serving Tray

A plain thrifted tray turns into a cottage treasure with floral napkins and decoupage medium. Pink and red roses look classic, while blue and white florals feel fresh. Use it for tea, as a perfume tray on a dresser or as a centerpiece base. Seal it well so it can be wiped clean, and keep it for serving dry items or cups rather than placing food directly on it. Does your kitchen need a pretty tray?

You will need: A wooden tray, floral paper napkins, decoupage medium, a soft brush and a clear water based sealer.

How to make it: 1. Sand and paint the tray if needed. 2. Separate the top printed layer of the napkins. 3. Brush on decoupage medium and smooth the napkin pieces on. 4. Add two coats of sealer.

Shabby Chic Decor With Ruffled Pillows

Old pillowcases with faded florals are perfect for ruffled pillow covers. The fabric is already soft from years of washing, which gives that lived in look. Gather a strip of fabric into a ruffle and sew it around the edge, or simply add lace trim. Mix florals, stripes and plain white for a relaxed, collected feel. No sewing machine? Fabric glue works for lace trim. Which old pillowcases could you rescue?

You will need: Old floral pillowcases, a pillow insert, fabric scissors, lace or ruffle trim and a sewing machine or fabric glue.

How to make it: 1. Cut the pillowcase to fit your insert, plus a little extra. 2. Gather a strip into a ruffle or use ready made trim. 3. Sew or glue the trim around the edges. 4. Slip in the insert.

Painted and Distressed Furniture

This French style table shows how a soft green paint and gently worn edges can make a simple piece feel romantic and full of history. Distressing is all about where furniture would naturally wear: corners, edges and around handles. Sand those spots lightly after painting and stop before it looks overdone. Sage, mint and duck egg blue are classic shabby chic decor colors that look lovely with white walls. Always wear a dust mask, and skip very old pieces with peeling paint unless they test lead free. Would you paint your table green or white?

You will need: Chalk style paint, fine sandpaper, a dust mask, a clear furniture wax or sealer and soft cloths.

How to make it: 1. Clean the table and paint two thin coats. 2. Let it dry fully. 3. Sand the edges and corners lightly where wear would happen. 4. Wipe off dust and seal with wax.

Teacup Planters

Single teacups without matching sets are easy to find at thrift stores, and they make the sweetest little planters. Add a layer of pebbles at the bottom for drainage, a little cactus soil and a small succulent. Line them up on a windowsill or a shelf for a cheerful display. They also make wonderful gifts for teachers and grandmothers who love shabby chic decor. Water lightly, since teacups have no drainage holes. How many teacups are sitting unused in your cupboard?

You will need: Vintage teacups and saucers, small pebbles, cactus soil and small succulents or tiny flowering plants.

How to make it: 1. Add a layer of pebbles to each cup. 2. Fill with cactus soil. 3. Plant a small succulent. 4. Water lightly and set the cup on its saucer.

Shabby Chic Decor for Walls: Doily Hoops

Grandma’s lace doilies deserve to be seen, not stuck in a drawer. Stretch them inside wooden embroidery hoops and hang a cluster on the wall. The lace looks beautiful against a soft blue, pink or sage wall. Mix sizes and patterns for an airy, delicate display. It costs almost nothing if you already have doilies, and thrift stores sell them for pennies. Few shabby chic decor projects are quicker or sweeter than this one. Do you have doilies from someone special?

You will need: Lace doilies, wooden embroidery hoops in different sizes, small scissors and small nails or removable hooks.

How to make it: 1. Place a doily over the inner hoop. 2. Press the outer hoop on and tighten the screw. 3. Trim any extra fabric at the back. 4. Hang them in a loose cluster.

Flea Market Florals: Enamel Pitchers

Vintage enamelware with hand painted roses is a perfect example of shabby chic decor. A little chipping only adds to the charm. Use old pitchers as vases for fresh flowers, store wooden spoons in them or simply line them up on a shelf. Look for them at flea markets, estate sales and antique malls. Mix white, cream and pale blue pieces for a soft look. Keep chipped enamel pieces for display or flowers instead of food. Which flowers would you put in a vintage pitcher?

You will need: Vintage enamel pitchers or jugs, fresh or faux flowers and a sturdy shelf.

How to make it: 1. Wash and dry the pitchers. 2. Group them in odd numbers on a shelf. 3. Fill one or two with flowers. 4. Turn the prettiest painted side to the front.

A Whitewashed Wicker Basket

Dark, dated wicker baskets get a fresh cottage look with a quick whitewash. Thin white paint with water and brush it on, then wipe some off so the texture shows through. The result looks sun bleached and soft. Fill it with floral blankets, towels or magazines. It is a great project for the garage or porch on a sunny day. Which basket would you brighten up?

You will need: A thrifted wicker basket, white paint, water, a cup for mixing, a brush and a rag.

How to make it: 1. Mix one part white paint with one part water. 2. Brush it all over the basket. 3. Wipe off some with a rag right away. 4. Let it dry and add a second coat if you want it whiter.

A Wall of Mismatched China Plates

Odd plates from different sets look magical together on a wall. Florals, gold rims and soft pastels all mix beautifully in a cluster. Use plate hangers or adhesive plate discs to hang them safely. Lay them out on the floor first to plan the shape. A china plate wall is a lovely way to honor grandma’s dishes without letting them gather dust. Shabby chic decor is all about giving old things a second life. Do you own a plate too pretty to use?

You will need: Vintage plates, plate hangers or adhesive plate discs, a pencil and a level.

How to make it: 1. Lay the plates out on the floor in a cluster. 2. Attach hangers to the backs. 3. Start with the biggest plate in the center. 4. Work outward, checking with a level.

Shabby Chic Decor With an Old Window

An old wooden window frame with peeling white paint is pure cottage charm. Hang it on a wall and tuck a cluster of paper roses or faux flowers in one corner. Some people add photos or a small wreath in the middle panes. Old windows can be heavy, so hang them on strong hooks screwed into studs. If the paint is very old and flaking, seal it with a clear coat or skip that window, since old paint may contain lead. Would you hang an old window in your home?

You will need: An old window frame, clear sealer, paper or faux roses, floral wire and strong picture hooks.

How to make it: 1. Clean the frame gently with a damp cloth. 2. Seal any flaking paint with a clear coat. 3. Wire roses into one corner. 4. Hang it on strong hooks with adult help.

A Floral Lampshade Makeover

A plain lampshade becomes a vintage beauty with faded floral fabric and a little ruffle. Wrap the fabric around the shade, glue it at the seams and add trim at the top and bottom. Pair it with a white painted lamp base and a stack of old books. Use an LED bulb, which stays cool. It is a perfect finishing touch for all your shabby chic decor. Which room would glow a little softer with this lamp?

You will need: A plain drum lampshade, floral cotton fabric, fabric glue, ruffle or lace trim, clips and an LED bulb.

How to make it: 1. Wrap the fabric around the shade and trim it with extra at top and bottom. 2. Glue the seam. 3. Fold and glue the edges inside. 4. Glue trim around the top and bottom.