Your cabinets are an important aspect of your kitchen’s design. As you search for inspiration for your kitchen, you’re likely to come across shaker-style cabinets.These cabinets are timeless and versatile. We will explore why modern shaker-style cabinets are a staple addition to consider.
What are Modern Shaker Style Cabinets?
Shaker-style cabinetry got its name from the Shaker movement, started by Quakers who believed in simplicity and functionality in home design. Their cabinets featured rail frames and panel construction along with raised or recessed panels on the doors for a minimalist look.
Modern shaker cabinetry retains the clean, simple design of the shaker style while using modern materials and finishes and further improving functionality. They make your kitchen more functional and their classic nature makes them easy to design around.
Different Shaker Cabinet Styles
Cabinets are a major aspect of your kitchen’s aesthetic and must be cohesive with your overall design. Knowing the different kinds of shaker cabinets can help you decide.
Modern Shaker Cabinets – Modern shaker cabinets use traditional shaker cabinets’ simple, clean lines while adding functional elements and modern materials. They use flat-panel doors without much ornamentation with most or all hardware hidden from view. The functional elements include pull-out storage drawers, adjustable shelves, and soft-close drawers.
Traditional Shaker Cabinets – The main feature that characterizes traditional shaker cabinetry is beveled edges. They sometimes have decorative trims or plate rails on top and are typically in natural or neutral colours with simple hardware like wooden knobs or metal pulls. Traditional shaker cabinets focus on craftsmanship, often through mortise and tenon construction or hand-cut dovetails.
Farmhouse Shaker Cabinets – These are similar to traditional shaker cabinets but emphasize country charm using high-quality wood. Hardware is often prominent with other decorative elements adding to the rustic appeal. These cabinets are often left in their natural colour or stained to give them an even more aged look. When painted, white is the most popular colour used.
Transitional Shaker Cabinets – Transitional shaker cabinets work well in kitchens with a transitional, modern farmhouse, or coastal aesthetic. They combine the look of traditional shaker cabinetry with the versatility of modern shaker cabinets. They have traditional, clean lines, and natural or neutral finishes. The hardware typically blends the two shaker cabinet styles as well.
Features of Modern Shaker Style Cabinets
Shaker cabinets have evolved since their introduction, but some enduring features of modern shaker cabinets are the use of high-quality materials, simple and elegant design, and different wood options.
High-quality materials – Using high-quality materials ensures that cabinets remain in good condition for as long as possible. This is why solid or engineered wood and sturdy hardware are used. Even the paint, stains, and varnishes used are durable.
Simple and elegant – These cabinets have a simple design, minimal ornamental features, natural or neutral colours, and hidden or low-key hardware. They are designed to emphasize functionality over appeal and make the kitchen look uncluttered, with a sense of continuity and balanced proportions.
Different options of wood – Many wood options are available depending on your aesthetic preferences, budget, and the maintenance you’re willing to do. Common woods are white and red oak, maple, walnut, cherry, hickory, and many more. You can even use reclaimed wood like barnwood or shipwood.
Benefits of Modern Shaker Style Cabinets
Since the mid-1800s, shaker-style cabinetry has remained beloved. Here’s why these cabinets have stood the test of time and continued to evolve to meet the needs of the modern kitchen.
Built to last—Well-constructed cabinets can last several decades. They are made with solid, high-quality wood cut into thick, high-density panels and high-quality finishing techniques. The soft-close features reduce wear and tear on the drawers and hinges.
Versatile – Modern shaker cabinetry suits a variety of needs, space constraints, and style preferences, making them incredibly versatile. They can be customized to optimize storage i.e. pull-out pantries, wine racks, spice cabinets, etc., or accommodate seating or workspace.
Easy to clean – Modern shaker cabinets have ease of cleaning built into their design. Their smooth surfaces, simple hardware, easily removable shelves, durable finishes, and spill-proof coatings make them easy to clean, allowing you to maintain clean, tidy cabinets with minimal effort.
Are Modern Shaker Cabinets Worth It?
Modern-style shaker cabinets will give your kitchen a timeless look. They are easy to incorporate into various design styles as your preferences, durable, and easy to maintain.
They can also be constructed using a variety of materials in various colours that will suit all budgets and design goals. They can also be customized to offer more storage and functionality in your kitchen. The elegant, functional appeal of these cabinets also increases the resale value of your home.
Upgrade Your Kitchen With Modern Shaker Style Cabinets
Shaker-style cabinets have been an enduring kitchen staple for a reason. Adding modern twists to this classic cabinet gives you a simple, chic, and versatile kitchen. RenoDuck Kitchens offers the best craftsmanship and designs for a modern shaker cabinet that will enhance your kitchen. Contact us for a free quote.
FAQs
No. The beauty of modern shaker cabinets is their versatility in design, which can easily be incorporated into other styles. Clean lines, minimalism, natural materials, and functionality complement many kitchen styles. Modern shaker cabinets fit well in coastal, farmhouse, industrial, mid-century modern, minimalist, rustic, Scandinavian, and traditional kitchens.
Visual balance should be maintained when incorporating modern shaker-style cabinets into other styles. The colours, lines, and ornamentation you choose need to complement your design style so that the kitchen looks cohesive. You can either do this by maintaining a similar colour palette or using contrasting colours to pique visual interest.
The tucked-away, soft-close elements of modern shaker-style cabinets offer endless options to increase the storage capacity and functionality of your kitchen. Here are a few creative ideas to incorporate into your cabinets:
