Decorating with Distressed Furniture

Decorating with distressed furniture can be fun.  It is definitely a more casual style that feels comfortable and usable.

So, let’s get a few pointers out of the way.

Decorating with Distressed Furniture by Style

• Farmhouse
• Country Cottage
• Shabby Chic
• Romantic Victorian (not to be confused with formal Victorian)
• American Traditional
• English Country
• French Country
• and just about any other casual style

A Little Goes a Long Way

If there is one rule of thumb, it is definitely that a little goes a long way.  Let’s get real.  I love distressed furniture so much that I had a storage room full of it.  I would see a piece and buy it.  I would find a piece of solid wood furniture that needed some TLC and turn it into a gorgeous piece of distress, so to speak.

Below is a prime example of an excellent piece of distressed furniture strategically placed beside a lovely sofa.

BUT, when it comes to living with distressed furniture it should be a unique focal point in the room, even if it is a corner piece.  One, maybe two pieces per room is sufficient unless you really want your home to look like a junque store.

When decorating with distressed furniture there is a fine line between classy country/shabby chic and creating a feeling of a bunch of old stuff that needs to go to the barn.  The illustration above is definitely classy.

Choosing Your Distressed Furniture

I prefer to choose distressed furniture to use that is a side or wall piece.  In other words, a nice piece that is placed along a wall is appreciated without being distracting.  It is the subtlety of the piece and the placement that makes it ideal.

The table above could easily overpower the room if the table top had been painted and distressed.  Instead, only the table apron and legs are showing signs of distress.  Note that the cabinet in the corner is stained wood, not painted.  Again, this forces the distressed piece to be a subtle focal point.

Even in many Romantic Victorian settings the distressed pieces are mitigated by slipcovers and chair slips.  In other words, fabric is the outstanding element that draws the eyes away from the distressed piece.

Country chic or shabby chic is often a combination of plaids and florals of similar colors that dominate the distressed pieces.

In other words, distressed furniture should get the “best supporting” prize as it is a means of complementing rather than dominating.

How to Decorate with Distressed Furniture

If the piece of distressed furniture is a painted piece, be sure that the color complements the decor.  All too often, I have seen a piece of painted distressed furniture that looked as if it did not belong because the color clashed with the surroundings.

Decide on your style.  There is a big difference between farmhouse kitchen and romantic Victorian.  Once you know the overall style or look you are going for, select the distressed piece.  While color or stain is important, size matters.  Use distressed furniture that is of similar size and style to the decor rather than trying to force the issue.