What Are Shaker Cabinets?

Everything you need to know about shaker-style kitchen cabinets!

Question: What Are Shaker Cabinets?

Answer: Shaker kitchen cabinets refer to a cabinet style made from solid wood and adheres to minimalist design philosophy. Rather than using molding, it can be distinguished by its simplicity and clean lines. The images below include examples of shaker-style cabinets.

Shaker-style cabinets are a timeless style that is simple and beautiful. The simplicity of the design allows you to use low-cost materials but still have a high-end look in your kitchen or bathroom.

Shaker cabinet doors are characterized by clean, vertical lines with simple drawers and small knobs. The cabinets are usually plain white or light colored, with perhaps a single accent color on the inside of a drawer or cabinet. Shaker style cabinets are constructed from solid wood pieces, such as maple, birch, or chestnut, held together with many screws or nails.

Modern shaker cabinets are prized as transitional kitchen design elements. If you're considering a kitchen remodel, shaker cabinetry is a great feature if you're looking for a modern kitchen style with some traditional elements.

History of Shaker Cabinets in Kitchen Design

Shaker cabinets are named after the Shakers, a religious sect that lived in what is now Maine during the 18th century. The Shakers were known for their simple designs, which they used to create furniture and other utilitarian items. The woodworking style used in their furniture was called "shaker," but it didn't become popular until the 1980s when it was reintroduced by Swedish furniture designer Hans J. Wegner (who was not himself a Shaker).

Modern shaker cabinets use many of the same building techniques as their 18th-century predecessors, but they have been updated with modern materials like stainless steel and solid surface countertops. Modern shakers also generally have adjustable shelves and hidden hinges, which make them easier to install and maintain than the older versions.

Modern Shaker Kitchen

If you're in the market for a new kitchen, it can be tempting to go for the traditional white shaker cabinets. After all, they are classic and timeless—but there are some ways you can modernize the look of your kitchen with this style.

One of the first things you can do is consider using a bold color for your cabinets. Something like black or red can make a statement, but remember that you may want to paint everything else in your kitchen white so that it blends well with the cabinets.

Another way to make a contemporary statement with your shaker cabinets is to include an island in your kitchen design. This will add extra space and give you more room for storage and prep work.

Finally, consider going with stainless steel appliances instead of traditional ones. They will match perfectly with any modern kitchen design!

Shaker Cabinet Construction

Shaker style cabinets are characterized by their panel doors, which feature recessed panels with a simple design. The doors are often flat and rectangular, with little decoration or molding. It's common for the bottom of each door to be recessed slightly from the top. Simple lines and minimal ornamentation also characterize Shaker furniture.

These cabinets are often made from wood but can also be made from other materials like plastic or metal. They're designed to look like they have a recessed center panel, which is where the term "shaker" comes from—it refers to the panels on each side of the door being set back from each other so that there's room for a recessed center panel in between them.

Durability and Materials

Shaker cabinets are typically made from solid wood, but other materials may also be used. Solid wood is the most common material for shaker cabinets and has been used for centuries to craft furniture. It's a durable, natural material that can be stained or painted in any color you want. Shaker cabinets are usually made from pine because it's cheap and easy to source.

Pine works well for shaker cabinets because it's resistant to rot and insects and doesn't warp or crack with age like some other types of wood. If you want a more ornate look for your shaker cabinet, you can use oak instead of pine; this will give your piece more grain patterns and make it look more expensive than if you had just used pine alone!