Shaker Cabinets

What are shaker cabinets?

The important difference between modern shaker cabinets and other types of cabinetry is how they’re built – Ordinary kitchen cabinets have single-piece doors, and they’re usually made of materials other than solid wood.

On the other hand, shaker-style cabinets feature five-piece doors that have recessed center panels, and they generally don’t have beveled edges on the frame. The door frames are usually made of solid wood, and they really stand out when compared with other kitchen cabinet styles.

Shaker kitchen cabinets may also have drawer fronts with five-piece construction, or they may have solid wood slab fronts. And the drawer fronts and doors may be built as a full overlay, partial overlay, or inset. Also, shaker cabinets often have light-colored finishes and simple hardware.

Wooden hardware for doors & drawers

Another characteristic of kitchen cabinets in shaker style is the use of simple hardware, such as wooden drawer pulls and door handles. Sometimes shaker cabinets are painted with an antique or distressed finish, to give an appearance of age.

If you’re wondering where the name shaker cabinets came from, the answer is easy – The Shakers are a religious community based on old-time values of usefulness, simplicity, and superior craftsmanship.

This community is especially well-known for its hand-made, solid-wood furniture industry, which is prized by consumers nationwide. According to professional woodworkers, the early Shaker cabinetmakers are credited with developing the first circular saws in America, as well as other important inventions for making furniture.

Plenty of decorating options with shaker kitchen design

The elegant simplicity of shaker-style cabinets makes them a great foundation for a wide range of interior decorating ideas. Unlike other finishes such as espresso or white, cabinets built in the shaker style can be matched with almost any color or texture on your walls, floors, or appliances.

You’ll find that it’s very easy to add colors and textures in a shaker kitchen design without clashing. Most homeowners choose conservative shaker cabinet colors in light tones, which makes it easy to add accent colors to your appliances and other furnishings.

For their countertops, splashes, walls, and floor, some homeowners use bright-yet-complementary colors, including red and yellow, but softer pastels will work equally well. Or, you could go for an overall rustic or primitive effect by decorating your kitchen or bathroom with wooden handicrafts and other textured accessories to complement the craftsmanship of shaker cabinets.

If you want to see how your own kitchen or bathroom could look with shaker cabinetry, just fill out this Kitchen Design Form. Be sure to include measurements of the space, and it’s also helpful if you attach a picture or two.