Shaker style kitchen cabinets remain as universally popular today as ever. But just what is it about Shaker style kitchen cabinets that have secured their place as a kitchen design classic? That’s what we’re going to focus on today!
What Are Shaker Cabinets?
The Shakers were a religious group that came to the U.S. in the late 1800’s. They were superior craftsmen that believed in using minimal materials in their work. Shaker-style cabinets became popular in the early 1900’s, and they have resurfaced in popularity over the last decade.
Shaker cabinets are sleek, simplistic, and versatile. Cabinet doors typically comprise of a flat panel with a simple border around the edges. There is no intricate routing work or beveling on these door-fronts. In some cases, Shaker style drawers will be made with the same design. However, the drawer fronts may also be left as flat panels with no border around them.
Pros of Shaker Style Cabinets
The sleek, uncluttered look of Shaker kitchen cabinets ensures they transcend fickle design trends making them a sound foundation for your kitchen remodel. Besides that, there is nothing like a fresh stain or coat of paint, change in color or hardware upgrade to keep your Shaker doors and drawers looking good as new.
While the Shakers may have frowned on embellishments, today’s interpretation of this timeless style makes allowance for the personalization of your kitchen cabinets. These can take the form of beveled or beaded edges and more ornate shaker cabinet hardware. Your design sensibility can also be expressed in your choice of flooring, toe kicks, countertops, backsplashes, and appliances. Finally, Shaker style cabinets lend themselves to a range of finishes depending on your intended look.
Anyone with a fast-paced lifestyle will appreciate the fact that Shaker kitchen cabinets are easy to clean. This is because the squared edges don’t tend to trap as much debris and grease residue as the many ridges typical of raised cabinets. If you have young kids, consider installing Shaker kitchen doors and drawers made from wood laminate. Beyond their offering excellent value for money, they are robust, and a quick wipe down is all that’s needed to keep them looking pristine. Plus, they don’t require polishing, painting, or re-staining.
Their affordability, enduring utilitarian appeal, the scope for personalization and compatibility with various design concepts from country to ultra-modern make Shaker style cabinets a solid remodel investment and ensure they will add value not just to your kitchen but your home as a whole.
Cons of Shaker Style Cabinets
As compared to slab door cabinets, which have a flat front surface, Shaker style cabinets tend to gather dust or food particles in the corners, grooves, and crevices of the center panel, which might make it harder for some to clean and maintain in the long run. In general, it’s not a big deal since nearly every kitchen cabinet will require some degree of upkeep anyway.
Well, this may not find a lot of takers but Shaker style cabinets might be a little too classic or traditional for some who want to set up a modern kitchen. Not that Shaker cabinets don’t belong to a modern kitchen but there are many who believe slab door kitchen cabinets are more suitable for the current era.
This actually holds true for any kitchen cabinets. When you choose a do a particular kind of kitchen remodeling, the taste affects the selling price of your house since the potential buyers may have a different kitchen style preferences altogether. By and large, Shaker style kitchen cabinets lend a classic appeal to your kitchen space, which may not go down well with potential buyers who prefer a more modern style kitchen for their home. That said, it all depends on the way you customize your kitchen cabinets and the kitchen space as a whole. Now you know all the pros and cons of shaker style cabinets, would you get ones for your own kitchen? Let us know in the comments below!