As you look to remodel your kitchen, the most crucial decision you’ll have to make is the type of cabinetry you want to install. Nothing has the power to transform a kitchen quite like a great set of cabinets. So you’ll need to find the perfect design for you. Check out this blog to see why choosing shaker-style cabinets for your kitchen renovation could be the right decision.
What Are Shaker Cabinets?
The Shakers were a religious group mainly from Manchester, England, who settled in the American colonies in the 18th century. As an offshoot of the more well-known Quakers, they desired to create a utopian community that believed in pacifism, equality among sexes, and other intense forms of Christian devotion.
Also, they were famous for creating artisan furniture that was simple but extremely well made. Their minimalistic furniture soon became coveted worldwide for its expert craftsmanship. Its basic designs led to the modern shaker cabinet style. Now, the only Shaker settlement left is in Maine, but their furniture practices have since spread throughout the carpentry community, making it widely accessible.
Today, a shaker cabinet doesn’t get its definition from the craftsmen who make it. Instead, the shaker style describes a particular type of cabinetry. A shaker cabinet has four different pieces of wood. There’s a flat insert panel with two stiles on the left and right and two rails on the top and bottom. Essentially, it’s a piece of wood framed within four others. This basic design makes shaker cabinets one of the most versatile options at your disposal when looking to remodel your kitchen. As a result, it has remained a favorite among carpenters and homeowners alike for decades.
Are They Still in Style?
Shakers will never go out of style; they are timeless designs in the world of cabinetry. A shaker cabinet’s framed look and historical significance make it a great complement in traditionally designed kitchens, especially ones with an American colonial influence.
Moreover, its stripped-back design means that it can also work great in modern designs where there is an emphasis on minimalism. Shaker cabinets aren’t traditional or contemporary. Instead, they have flexible designs that you can manipulate to fit various unique styles. So, when installing shaker cabinets in your kitchen, you never have to worry that they will look out of date. In other words, they’re timeless and dependable additions in most homes.
Finishes
Sticking with its traditional roots, the standard finish on a shaker cabinet is a natural-looking maple, cherry, or walnut stain. These stains are excellent for highlighting the natural beautify of the wood’s grain and knots. Another advantage of natural finishes is that they are versatile, so you can remodel the kitchen without switching out the stain.
However, there has been a shift away from wood stain towards painted finishes in many modern kitchens. Although it hides the wood’s grain pattern, your options are almost endless with a paint finish. The most common paint finish in homes currently is white, and the trend of all-white interiors in homes is beloved because it highlights natural light and accentuates walls. But if you want a more tranquil, moody feeling in your kitchen, you can go with dark shades of navy blue, gray, or forest green, to name a few options.
Also, if you’re looking to make a bold statement with your kitchen, you can go with bright finishes like yellow. Shaker designs are ideal for a kitchen with a bold color palette. This is because the simple design allows the finish to do the talking without overcrowding the visuals with an equally busy design.
Mixing Styles
Since they have a basic design, shaker cabinets are great for kitchens where the owners want to mix and match cabinetry styles. But shaker designs don’t always look the best when paired with other traditional looks that are more complicated. Next to more ornate designs, a shaker’s simplicity could end up mistaken for an incomplete look. When installing shakers, designers often go with slab drawers. These are flat and lack intricate designs. Slab designs are especially preferable on smaller drawers where the shaker frame could look clunky.
Hardware
The type of stain you use to finish your cabinets will largely influence the hardware you opt for in your kitchen. Ideally, the color of the metal should match the finish on the cabinets. One trend that has risen in recent years is the use of bronze hardware. Bronze harks back to the 1920s era of glamor. And the nostalgia for art deco designs is higher than ever.
Then in terms of the design of the hardware, simple designs that mimic the shakers are often preferable. Also, you could use basic curved hardware if you’re looking for something that will contrast the hard edges of the shakers. Ideally, your hardware should visually differ from the cabinetry while still stylishly working within the context of the overall design. So curved handles on shakers or matte black metal on white finishes are all great options.
Comparative Prices
Shaker cabinets can range in price depending on the quality of materials that a company uses to make them. However, shaker cabinets will typically be less expensive than other traditional designs. Traditional designs often have more complicated framing. Therefore, they need more material to form the ornate features. And this means that they typically cost more than their shaker counterparts.
Also, more complicated cabinet designs can go in and out of style, but shaker cabinets have proven themselves to be resistant to changing fads. So, if you keep them in good shape, you’ll only need to repaint them when you’re ready for your next renovation.
Should You Get Them?
Shaker cabinets are arguably the most versatile design option, and their simple features mean that there isn’t a lot to critique about them. If taken care of, they can stay in a home’s kitchen for a lifetime. So, if a beautiful, adaptable design is what you look for in cabinetry, you should absolutely consider choosing shaker-style cabinets for your kitchen renovation.
When you’re looking for shaker cabinets online to complete your new kitchen, explore the collection at iCabinetry!
