As more and more homeowners consider remodeling and renovating their kitchen, they continue to choose Shaker-style cabinetry. Whether just upgrading doors or taking on a complete update of the kitchen’s look, 61% are choosing Shaker-style cabinets.
Even if you’ve never heard the term “Shaker-style,” there is a good chance you’ve noticed – and maybe even admired – Shaker-style cabinets in the kitchens of friends and family.
What is a Shaker kitchen cabinet?
Shaker-style cabinets feature clean and symmetric lines, a big factor in their popularity. With just a simple inlay and one single line around the door and drawer’s frame, Shaker style is calming, with an almost utilitarian look.
Check out examples of popular Shaker-style cabinets in a variety of neutral finishes here.
Pros and Cons of Shaker-style Cabinets
Shaker-style cabinets fit remarkably well with any kitchen design, whether traditional, modern, transitional, or contemporary. Their clean, spare simplicity makes them a versatile choice no matter what design style you prefer.
Pros of Shaker-style Cabinets
Timeless enough to adapt to future trends
Your kitchen cabinets are the foundation of a kitchen renovation or remodeling project and represent the largest line item in your budget. When you choose Shaker-style cabinets, you won’t need to worry about the next big kitchen design trend. A Shaker-style cabinet has a sleek look that adapts well to minimalist, modern, contemporary, and even traditional styles – making it genuinely timeless and easy to adapt to any trend. Simply change the hardware – door handles and drawer pulls – and you (or the next homeowner) can easily change your kitchen’s style.
Express your personality
As originators of the Shaker style, the Shaker religious sect did not encourage personalization and embellishment. The style’s clean, timeless lines nonetheless present an ideal canvas where you can layer on personalized touches to your cabinets to achieve a look and feel in your kitchen that captures your individual spirit.
With beveled, beaded, or figurine hardware, you can express your creativity and style. Take the look further with your choice of original light fixtures, patterned flooring, contrasting countertops, and the room’s overall color palette. Because you can easily customize Shaker cabinets, they enjoy broad appeal among homeowners and add value to your home.
Low-maintenance kitchen cabinets
No doubt about it, Shaker kitchen cabinets are easy to clean and maintain. Since they have just one squared edge around the door and drawer front, you can easily wipe surfaces down – or dust them between cleaning. Without curves or carved embellishments, they don’t become a trap for debris or residue. To enhance an already low-maintenance exterior, you could consider a laminate finish instead of paint. This allows you to wipe off fingerprints and grime with soap and water easily. A laminate finish will also last longer and won’t require re-staining or painting.
Affordability wins out
Semi-custom Shaker kitchen cabinets come in ready-to-install (RTA) or pre-assembled construction options. If you’re looking for an immediately affordable choice, RTA cabinets position you to choose your contractor for installation or – if you have time and some experience – you can DIY the remodeling project.
Pre-assembled cabinets cost a little because their construction is completed at the factory, but you regain some of that extra cost with speedy installation. Compared to custom cabinets (which cost much more to design and install) or stock cabinets (which typically need to be replaced sooner), the Shaker cabinets are an affordable choice.
Cons of Shaker-style Cabinets
Dissuade potential buyers
Everyone’s different, and any choices you make for kitchen cabinetry, countertop, flooring, or appliances could turn off a potential buyer. Having said that, when you choose a kitchen cabinet style that is popular with most people, you are making a safe bet. It’s possible some buyers may view Shaker-style kitchen cabinets as “classic” while they prefer a more modern style kitchen for their home. How you customize your kitchen cabinets and the kitchen space as a whole will determine the style you project.
Cleaning Could be Tricky
In contrast with frameless door cabinets, which have a flat front surface, Shaker-style cabinets are more likely to gather dust or food particles in the center panel’s crevices and corners. This can make these door surfaces a bit harder to clean and maintain. Although it’s always preferable to avoid the need for extra cleaning, most homeowners find the upkeep of kitchen cabinets to be a minor task, regardless of their chosen style.
Too Classic for a Modern Kitchen
For some homeowners, cabinets with an overlay or inset seem too traditional and classic for their modern or contemporary style preferences. Those who want a refined modern look will opt for frameless kitchen cabinets every time, rather than Shaker-style.
Frequently asked questions about Shaker style kitchen cabinets
Are Shaker-style cabinets good quality?
Yes, Shaker-style cabinets from Simply Kitchens are built to the highest quality standards in compliance with the nationally recognized KCMA/ANSI A161.1 Standard and bear the KCMA symbol. The Shaker style of construction uses all-plywood materials for durability and strength. Drawers have strong, high-integrity dovetail joints, and bases are made with I-beams so they will hold their shape for 20-30 years.
Why are Shaker cabinets so popular?
Versatility and timeless appeal ensure the ongoing popularity of Shaker-style cabinets. They accommodate any trend, and you can easily update them to complement any contemporary design.
How much do Shaker cabinets cost?
According to Home Advisor, Shaker kitchen cabinets range in price from $100 to $1,200 per linear square foot. Costs will vary depending on the type of wood and other materials used, the actual kitchen layout, shipping format and distance, and installation methods.
What are the most popular colors for kitchen cabinets?
In the latest Houzz kitchen trends survey for 2020, the most popular kitchen cabinet color by far is white kitchen cabinets, chosen by 45% of respondents. Other popular colors include woodgrain (22% of respondents), gray kitchen cabinets (26% of respondents), and blue kitchen cabinets (19% of respondents.)
Designing your dream kitchen with Shaker kitchen cabinets just got easier with five different colors from which to choose.
1) Give your kitchen a warm and comfortable feel with Shaker Antique White kitchen cabinets.
2) The modern and contemporary design will focus on a kitchen with Shaker Charcoal Gray kitchen cabinets.
3) and 4) The Shaker Dusk, and Shaker Gray kitchen cabinets provide a neutral background for any traditional, transitional, or modern style.
5) Always popular and timeless, Shaker White kitchen cabinets fit every style and trend.
Discover Premium Shaker-style Kitchen Cabinets At Simply Kitchens
Ready to see how Shaker-style cabinets will complement your kitchen and home decor? Browse our RTA and pre-assembled Shaker cabinets. Whether you are looking for transitional, modern, contemporary, or traditional kitchen cabinets, we have everything you need to create the kitchen of your dreams.
Reserve your time to speak with our expert cabinet designers today to request your FREE 3D kitchen design. Simply Kitchens, we specialize in creating your dream kitchen, anywhere in the US, at a price you can afford.