Shabby chic is a popular style of home decor, but fans of the interior design style who have previously looked for suitable tiles might have struggled, as I did, to find something quite right. In this blog we have a selection of shabby chic tiles ideas to inspire you to create beautiful walls for your new kitchen or bathroom.
What is Shabby Chic?
Shabby chic is a style of interior design. It started in Britain in the 1980s, when people began to take design inspiration from old country houses. The World of Interiors magazine is credited with coming up with the term ‘shabby chic’ back then. It is a style of decor where furniture and accessories are chosen because they are obviously old and have signs of wear and tear, or are more modern and have been ‘distressed’ to make them appear aged.
Shabby Chic Colours and Styles
So in shabby chic decor, furniture and accessories should either be old, or look old and therefore have signs of distress or wear and tear. It is quite an informal, comfortable and inviting style of interior design. Colours should be soft and romantic, with pale blues, pinks and other pastel colours. White and cream are popular too, as are faded and bleached out shades and patterns. Light-coloured, sanded or painted wood is often part of the design. Shabby chic is a feminine and romantic style. Vintage floral patterns are often part of this interior design style – especially roses.
Shabby Chic Tiles Ideas
Given that shabby chic decor tends to be soft and feminine, the rigid lines and repetitive grid patterns usually present in a tiled wall can mean that getting this part of the room right can be a challenge. Here we look at some tiles which might suit a shabby chic room. Many of the tiles here are either based on antique illustrations – giving us the feeling of age we are looking for, or watercolour illustrations – giving us soft colours and delicate, romantic images.
They can be used subtly – simply a few flowers scattered here and there to break up an otherwise plain area, or pastel-coloured patterned tiles can be used together, creating larger patterns or eclectic patchwork designs.
Single Flower Shabby Chic Tiles






Scattered Shabby Chic Tiles Patterns


Check Pattern Shabby Chic Tiles


Shabby Chic Seamless Tile Patterns


Shabby Chic Tiles – Eclectic Patchwork Patterns


Your Turn!
So now you have a few shabby chic tiles options to consider! If you would like to see all of our tile designs, they can be found in our online shop.
We also have lots of other tiles ideas in our other blogs – our roses tiles ideas or hydrangea tiles ideas may be of interest too.
I hope you enjoy designing your new room and even more importantly – spending many happy years in it!