Elegant, minimal, and welcoming kitchens’ aesthetics are increasingly sought-after by homeowners who want to combine appeal with functionality. The shaker kitchen style emerged more than two centuries ago as a response to the need for durable, long-standing furniture pieces that could delay the kitchen renovation as long as possible. Thus, this core element has been maintained to this day; it’s only that the ever-evolving construction and design techniques have taken this concept to a whole new level.
Whether you’re into a contemporary, sleek cooking space or an animated traditional kitchen, this versatile style may suit both preferences and needs when approached correctly. There’s no golden rule to follow, but only some of the essential aspects that raised shaker kitchens to popularity and different styles that you can opt for depending on the desired outcome. Let’s check all these out!
The Shaker style has deeply entrenched roots
Shaker style is rooted in Quakerism, first conceived in the 1700s and gaining popularity around the middle of the century. Around those times and within this community, hand-crafted pieces of furniture were highly appreciated and sought-after. They’d provide outstanding quality and high durability, passing the test of time and resisting wear and tear.
To this day, the concepts of durability and quality are still top priorities when creating shaker furniture. The only difference is that today, an increased emphasis is put on the refinement of the construction and sophistication of the detail, coming in a broader variety of finishings and colours. For this reason, shaker-style kitchens have grown in the last few years as more homeowners increasingly look for long-standing, quality, and simplistic furniture that elevates their homes and adds a touch of luxury.
The hallmarks of a shaker kitchen
Before deciding that the kitchen style is your suitable choice, it’s essential to draw a quick definition of it. Often, you may potentially tell a shaker kitchen from other styles ten times more quickly than you can recall its name. They’re widely met in timeless kitchens, but the “country” or “vintage” style is often wrongfully applied to shakers. The misunderstanding stems from the similarities the three styles share, so you’re not to be blamed if you use the terms interchangeably. It’s not a capital mistake to use “traditional” for “shaker”, for instance, only that the latter has a more profound meaning than the other styles.
To determine if this style suits your preferences, let’s promptly run through its defining elements:
- Colours. Shaker kitchen furniture comes in a broad selection of colours and nuances, so ideally, you won’t have to repaint your kitchen’s walls for the new additions to match them. Choosing grey will provide you with a lot of versatility because it comes in various shades and textures and can be incorporated easily into any space, regardless of other factors, like the backsplash colour in the kitchen. On the other hand, white conveys a sense of cleanliness and can welcome bolder hues in different elements in the kitchen, such as chairs or flooring. The only thing standing in your way of finding the ideal colour is your imagination.
- Perfectly-detailed lines. Shaker style kitchens stand out through the high attention to detail involved in their fabrication, which the fine eye observes when looking at the cleanliness of the lines. These ideally match retro appliances, but you can choose contemporary shaker furniture with glass panels if you want a touch of modernism.
- Materials. Timber and wood materials are an eternal staple in the shaker style. Bar stools are commonly made using wood, giving you peace of mind that they’re sturdy, long-lasting, and inject a warm and homelike feel.
The boxes ticked by the shaker style
Shaker-style kitchens keep rising in popularity, and many homeowners are drawn to the uncomplex yet attractive design that gives the entire home a timeless look. Here are the characteristics that make shaker furniture a go-to for many householders.
- Functionality. Needless to say, when sorting through a myriad of furniture options to find the ideal one, functionality is among the first things that must be accomplished. Shaker drawer fronts are already known to pass this test, so if you’re looking to avoid the hassle of renovating your kitchen too soon or looking to put your home on sale, this choice may help you boost the appeal of your home for potential property buyers.
- Versatility. Shaker pieces of furniture come embellished with all sorts of elements belonging to different styles, from modern to rustic, so you can easily design a kitchen that suits your style without worrying that you are restricted to a specific period or era. The simplistic design lets you quickly adopt any style while sticking to your budget requirements.
- Simplicity. If you find overly-ornated kitchens kitschy or over the top, this style might be what you’re seeking since it’s aimed to deliver the opposite appearance. The shaker style is all about refined taste, minimalism, and simplicity rather than making the cooking space look cramped and cluttered.
The several leading types of shaker kitchens
Since versatility is a top advantage in the shaker kitchen style, it stands to good reason that you won’t be limited to one or two styles. The widespread shaker kitchen designs topping the trends are outlined below:
The mock in-frame shaker kitchen, built without beading or frames, ranks among the most traditional choices on the market.
The slim shaker kitchen is also one of the most widespread models. If you decide on this one, you’ll have a lot of flexibility to sort through your choices.
The classic shaker kitchen is a model that never goes out of style. This design has stuck around for ages and will continue to follow the same pattern.
And if you want to take a different stance and add some uniqueness, you can resort to a modern shaker kitchen, ideal for homeowners looking to add a touch of luxury and contemporaneity.
So, are shaker kitchens your top pick? And if yes, what colour do you feel would bring your kitchen that timeless and enchanting look you desire?
