Classic Shaker style cabinets are an enduring and versatile choice for kitchen and laundry room design. With their clean lines, simple detailing, and quality craftsmanship, Shaker cabinets offer timeless appeal and functionality. Here is an in-depth look at how Shaker style cabinets can enhance these important home spaces.
An Overview of the Shaker Style
The Shaker style originated with the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing, more commonly known as Shakers, in the late 18th century. Shakers valued simplicity, functionality and craftsmanship in all aspects of life, and this ethos extended to their furniture and cabinetry.
Characteristics of Classic Shaker style include:
- Square, flat panels with a recessed center panel on cabinet doors and drawer fronts
- Minimal ornamentation – no elaborate trim or carvings
- Exposed hinges
- Straight, tall legs on base cabinets
- Drawers and cabinets with excellent joinery and smooth motion
- Quality materials like solid wood
- Available in a range of painted or stained finishes
The timeless beauty and utility of Shaker cabinets has made this style a fixture in kitchens and other rooms for generations.
Why Choose Shaker Cabinets for the Kitchen?
Shaker cabinets lend themselves perfectly to kitchen design. Here are some of the advantages of using Shaker cabinets for your kitchen:
Clean, Versatile Look
- Shaker style has simple lines and a pared back look that suits both traditional and contemporary kitchen aesthetics. They offer a streamlined, clutter-free appearance.
- Can be mixed and matched with other cabinet door styles if desired, due to their straightforward design.
- Look great in any color – white for a light and airy look, natural wood stains to accentuate the grain, or bold painted colors for a more dramatic effect.
Quality and Durability
- Shaker cabinets are synonymous with superior craftsmanship, made from solid wood with robust joinery and hardware that stands the test of time. This makes them a sound investment for a room that gets heavy daily use like the kitchen.
- Their timeless appeal means that Shaker kitchens don’t appear dated. You can easily change hardware and finishes down the track for an updated look.
- Sturdy construction ensures cabinets and doors stay aligned with minimal maintenance required. They can handle the wear-and-tear of a busy household.
Practical Storage Solutions
- Shaker cabinet’s simple styling allows you to focus on maximizing storage and functionality in your kitchen layout.
- Can accommodate specialized organizational features like cookie sheet dividers, spice drawers, lazy susans and pull-out pantries to optimize kitchen storage space.
- Various accessories like cabinets with glass panel doors are available to allow display of attractive dishware while keeping it dust-free.
- Choices like open shelving, wine racks and display cabinets complement the Shaker aesthetic.
Easy to Clean and Maintain
- The flat, smooth surfaces of Shaker cabinets make cleaning easy – surfaces don’t easily trap dirt and grease.
- Wood cabinets are durable and can be restored. Painted finishes can be touched up as needed.
- Hinged doors provide full access to cabinet interiors for cleaning.
- Shaker’s simple lines hide wear-and-tear well over time. They don’t show fingerprints and scratches as readily as ornate styles.
No wonder Shaker is such a popular choice for kitchen cabinetry. This practical, attractive and versatile style suits a range of tastes and needs.
The Benefits of Using Shaker Cabinets in the Laundry Room
Like the kitchen, the laundry room benefits from Shaker style cabinetry in many ways:
Streamlined Storage and Organization
- Shaker cabinets can optimize storage for laundry essentials like detergents, cleaning supplies and linens.
- Options like drawers with dividers, pull-out shelves, hampers and rods for hanging provide smart storage solutions.
- A clean, minimalist look helps keep the laundry room from appearing cluttered.
A Unified Look
- Having matching Shaker cabinets creates visual harmony between laundry room and kitchen.
- Provides a seamless look if the laundry room is open to or visible from the kitchen.
Quality and Durability
- Shaker cabinets stand up well to moisture, detergents and high traffic, making them perfect for laundry room wear-and-tear.
- Classic Shaker style ensures the laundry room doesn’t appear dated over time.
- Solid wood construction means cabinets can be refinished or painted over years of use.
Easy Cleaning
- The flat panel Shaker cabinet doors and smooth surfaces stay free of dust and are easy to wipe down.
- Contains messy laundry clutter behind closed cabinet doors.
Affordable Choice
- Quality Shaker cabinets are available at reasonable price points to suit most laundry room budgets.
The simple beauty of Shaker cabinetry makes it a perfect choice for pulling together your kitchen and laundry room into a cohesive space. With their timeless appeal and functionality, you really can’t go wrong.
Design Considerations for Shaker Kitchen and Laundry Rooms
When planning a kitchen or laundry room using Shaker cabinets, there are a few key considerations:
Choosing Cabinet Finish
Consider the overall look you want to achieve and how much maintenance you are willing to do:
- Painted – Provides bold, colorful, or classic white look. Requires occasional touchups, especially on frequently used cabinets.
- Stained – Shows off beautiful wood grain. Medium to dark stains hide wear better than light stains.
- Natural wood – Displays workmanship of cabinet construction. Needs careful maintenance as unfinished wood is prone to scratches and water damage.
Determining Cabinet Height
Standard cabinet heights:
- Base cabinets – 34 1/2 inches high. Best paired with countertops 36 inches high for average height users.
- Wall cabinets – 30 or 36 inches high. 30 inches fits over fridges and other tall appliances against the wall.
- Tall cabinets – 84 or 96 inches high. Useful for Expansive storage needs.
Consider ceiling height, kitchen layout, and your personal height needs.
Choosing Hardware
Shaker style looks best with simple hardware like:
- Bar pulls
- Bin pulls
- Knobs
- Dish handles
Stainless steel, chrome, nickel, brass, copper, and black metal finishes all suit Shaker style.
Incorporating Design Elements
Consider including:
- Open shelving for frequently used items.
- Glass cabinet doors to display dishware or decorative items.
- Crown molding for a touch of elegance on top of cabinets.
- Under cabinet lighting to illuminate counter workspaces.
- Exposed hinges to accentuate Shaker style.
Key Questions to Ask Your Cabinet Designer
When investing in Shaker cabinets, come prepared with questions for your kitchen designer:
- What types of wood and finishes do you offer? How do they compare in terms of durability and maintenance?
- Can you provide examples of previous Shaker kitchens and laundry rooms you have designed?
- What specialty organizational features like pull-out shelves and spice drawers do you recommend?
- How can we maximize storage in our awkward corner cabinet space?
- What countertop materials and edge profiles do you think pair best with our Shaker cabinet selection?
- How much lead time will our cabinet order require? How long will installation take?
- Do you have qualified installers who can assemble and securely install the new cabinets?
- Do you offer a warranty on the cabinets and installation? How long does coverage last?
Doing your homework on Shaker cabinet options and coming prepared with questions will ensure you get the classic, functional kitchen and laundry of your dreams.
Conclusion
With their clean lines, versatility, quality craftsmanship and enduring style, it’s easy to see why Shaker cabinets have remained a staple of kitchen and laundry room design for generations. Attention to practical storage solutions, durable finishes and a streamlined aesthetic makes this classic cabinet style a foolproof choice for busy family spaces. Investing in timeless Shaker cabinets will provide beauty, functionality and quality for many years to come.
