Shaker Kitchens

Shaker kitchens take their design inspiration from the Shaker values of simplicity and high-quality craftsmanship. The Shakers were a religious group that was formed in the 1700s and were renowned for their cultural contributions to society which stemmed from their belief in hard-work and honesty.

The Shakers settled in America where they developed a unique style of carpentry and design, which can be described in two words; simplicity and utility. The Shakers are well-known for making use of pure, clean lines without any complex decorative elements. They believed in high levels of workmanship embodied in simple designs, and always made use of durable and practical techniques, which is reflected in the Shaker style kitchens of today.

Shaker kitchens are a really popular choice, as their uncomplicated cabinets have a clean finish that will suit any type of home. A typical Shaker style cabinet door has a recessed panel which is framed by two horizontal panels and two vertical panels. Handles are usually rounded and oversized and made from wood or a simple metal design; ideal for creating an authentic Shaker look. Shaker style kitchens have a timeless design style that can easily be adapted to fit in with a modern or traditional styled kitchen. Shaker style kitchen doors are usually made from timbers such as oak, which can be left with a natural wood finish or an MDF door that can be painted. If opting for a painted effect finish, choose muted colours such as cream, grey, blue or green to keep the look simplistic.

Shaker kitchens of today have been adapted to suit modern designs and lifestyles, and some now feature gloss finishes on cabinet doors and drawers. A white gloss Shaker inspired door will create a more contemporary style whilst still providing a pure and simple look. This can be combined with minimal bar handles and you can even add some glass doors on the wall cabinets if you like? If you want to create a more traditional look opt for units which are painted in creams or white and think about displaying some crockery with plain, simple designs. For a more authentic look, choose cabinets and worktops with a natural wood finish.

A Shaker style kitchen works best when the space is kept clean and clutter-free, so ensure that you have a good amount of storage to keep any unnecessary appliances hidden from view and to create an impression of organisation in the kitchen. Furniture such as tables and chairs should feature simple designs to keep in with the Shaker style. If you want to create an authentic Shaker kitchen choose chairs with a ladder style back to add simple, understated elegance. For the perfect finishing touches to a Shaker kitchen add a row of wooden pegs to hang items on, as the original Shaker movement believed that items not in day to day use should be hung off the floor. You can choose natural wood flooring to bring the whole Shaker look together.