Choosing a kitchen style that is suitable for your family’s lifestyle and needs can be tricky, given the numerous options available these days. There are a few factors to take into account, such as the functionality of the kitchen cabinets, the overall style of the kitchen, your budget, and, of course, your personal preference. For example, if you’re into minimalism, the shaker style kitchen may be right what you’re looking for.

Featuring plain kitchen doors and focusing on functionality, the shaker style can help you create a kitchen that has a timeless aesthetic and also allows you to prepare home meals easily and effectively. If you’re having a hard time trying to decide whether the shaker style is ideal for you and your family, we’re here to help. In this blog, we provide a guide into the shaker kitchen style, discussing its history and pros and cons. Let’s dive in!

Brief history of shaker style

The shaker style’s origin dates back to the 1700s and was created by a group of people (more precisely, a religious sect) known as Shakers. They were very industrious and became famous for producing quality cabinets and furniture, using a different approach to carpentry that reflected values like practicality and plainness. As a result, their furniture wasn’t made of embellishments or intricate designs but instead focused on clean lines and functionality.

The Shakers used birch, pine, oak, cherry, and maple near their settlements to build cabinets, which were initially handcrafted and utilised in Shaker homes. After a while, the Shaker community started to create and sell surplus cabinets, which quickly became famous in the United States. From that moment on, shaker cabinets became a timeless style which many homeowners around the world still love.

Pros of shaker cabinets

A shaker style kitchen comes with a plethora of benefits, and we will discuss some of them below.

Flexibility

Shaker cabinets have an unfussy and plain design, making it easy to personalise them based on your preferences. You can always change them as you want by choosing a new finish or a different colour scheme.

Timeless elegance

Home décor is always subject to fleeting trends, and while it may seem like a good idea to opt for a fashionable kitchen, the truth is that in time, it can become outdated, requiring a makeover. And let’s be honest; no one wants to renovate their kitchen too frequently. This is why it is a good idea to choose the shaker style kitchen, as it is timeless and provides a classic aesthetic that you will enjoy for as long as possible.

Space optimization

While choosing fancy doors may seem like a good idea, turning your kitchen into a luxurious one, in fact, they also make it look cluttered and tiny. Instead, opting for fuss-free shaker cabinets in a pale shade can give the illusion of space and even increase the value of your home if you decide to sell it.

Various colour options

When it comes to shaker cabinets, colour is customizable, making it easy to choose nearly any kind of shade that matches the overall design of your cabinetry. For instance, you can opt for the classic white shaker cabinets that are ageless despite the changing trends, allowing you to create a sleek and contemporary kitchen. Or, you can opt for black – although an unusual addition to your culinary space, black is a hue that can highlight the clean lines of the shaker design and give warmth to the kitchen.

Great resale value

If you plan to sell your home at some point, opting for shaker style cabinets is a great way to increase your home’s ROI. Home buyers look for shaker cabinets in a kitchen due to their attractive and modern aesthetic. However, they also appeal to older buyers because of their antique look.

Cons of shaker cabinets

While we love shaker kitchens, it’s worth mentioning they aren’t suitable for every homeowner, and we will further share the reasons why.

Cleaning

Due to their textured surface, shaker kitchen cabinets can quickly trap grease, dirt and food particles in their ridges and grooves. Hence, it can be really challenging to clean them due to the dirt and grime that accumulate and can be hard to remove.

Limited storage options

Shaker cabinets provide functional storage solutions; however, unlike other cabinet styles, they offer less space. Since their design is relatively simple, only consisting of a frame with a recessed panel door, this can limit the storage capacity. As a result, this type of cabinet style may not be right for homeowners with extensive storage needs for their kitchen.

Lack of ornamentation

While shaker cabinets are often appreciated for their simplicity, some homeowners may actually see this as a disadvantage rather than an advantage. The lack of decorative details may not be appealing to those who prefer an ornate design – for example, if you want to make a statement with your cabinetry or add elaborate mouldings into your culinary space, shaker cabinets may not be suitable for you. Before making a choice, consider what kind of aesthetic you want to achieve – if you are into minimalist design, then you’ll find shaker cabinetry ideal for your kitchen. However, it’s good to explore other options if you want to achieve a luxurious style.

The bottom line

Whether or not you should choose shaker cabinets for your kitchen depends on your own needs and preferences. Due to their minimalistic design, they aren’t a good fit for all homes. For example, if your home has elaborate moulding and columns, shaker cabinets may seem bland compared to them. So, when deciding if the shaker style is right for you, consider the overall design of your space. Ultimately, your kitchen should reflect your lifestyle, be functional and provide a timeless aesthetic you’ll never get tired of. So, you should take the time to consider cabinetry, especially since it is such an essential element of the kitchen.

While it makes sense to look for budget-friendly shaker cabinets, you also want to ensure they consist of high-quality, durable materials. Luckily, shaker cabinets come in different shades, so you will easily find the right fit for your kitchen. And, if you need more inspiration on how to incorporate shaker cabinetry into your culinary space, you can find plenty of ideas online or in magazines.

We hope the above pros and cons presented in this blog will help you decide whether kitchen cabinets are right for you.