The shaker kitchen remains one of the most popular kitchen styles due to its timeless design, low maintenance and versatility to be personalised. What’s more, in recent years the designers’ love for the shaker movement has inspired some stunning interpretations such as bevelled or beaded edges and more ornate shaker cabinet hardware.
In this blog, you’ll learn what a shaker kitchen is and its design benefits. We'll also share examples of shaker kitchens that may inspire your kitchen design.
What is a shaker kitchen?
The shaker kitchen is the perfect example of simplicity, sophistication and practicality. The shaker furniture design consists of a five-piece door or drawer - four flat panels to create the frame and one central recessed panel. The uncomplicated design focuses on form, proportion, strength and straight lines.
Timeless Design
The shaker movement has been inspiring furniture designers as early as the 1900s. Its sophisticated, minimalist features allow the furniture to be paired with multiple interior styles allowing the design to transcend trends and suit both modern and character properties. Shaker kitchen furniture can be finished in a range of wooden veneers, or a painted finish either painted by hand or factory sprayed.
Bespoke Hand Painted Shaker Kitchens
Shaker kitchens are traditionally made by hand. As well as boasting all of the qualities of English handmade kitchens, they can be hand-painted. While a hand-painted finish requires a little more maintenance, hand painting gives you the freedom to choose any paint colour of your choice and allows you to refresh the colour as trends evolve or your taste changes.
Cost-Effective Shaker Kitchen Alternatives
The simple squared edges and lack of ridges in a standard shaker design stop dust and grease from being trapped, making the kitchen easier to clean. Many European manufacturers now offer shaker styles. Instead of being hand painted, this furniture is often finished in a hard-wearing lacquer available in a selection of colours. Whilst this deviates slightly from the original shaker design qualities, the furniture is easier to wipe down and it allows you to achieve the look for less.
Personalisation
The unassuming shaker kitchen forms the perfect foundation for personalisation. The simplicity of the classic shaker design means that it pairs nicely with both neutral and bold colour schemes.
Personality can be added to a shaker kitchen through the choice of worktop. For example, you could choose to combine your blue shaker cabinets with a subtle white quartz worktop. Alternatively, you could choose granite with a strong pattern to add interest.
Shaker Kitchen Design Ideas