What Are Shaker Cabinets?

Dover Essex White Shaker Cabinets

Take a peek at any design magazine or TV show and you’ll likely see shaker-style cabinets. These classic yet fresh cabinets are the perfect choice for homeowners who want to achieve a stylish, sophisticated look that’s not likely to go out of style anytime soon. In this blog, we’re going over all the details of shaker cabinets so you can determine whether this is a cabinet style suitable for your space, preferences and budget.

All About Shaker Cabinets

Shaker cabinets are relatively simple cabinets often used in kitchens and bathrooms. They feature a recessed (rather than raised) center panel and are generally done in light stains with no or minimal hardware. Shaker cabinet doors are modern yet timeless, with a central flat-inset panel surrounded by flat top and side rails that create a clean, squared-off aesthetic. They are known for their singular focus on lasting design with minimal ornamentation.  Lastly, they’re generally built with quality hardwoods but many newer methods use MDF to prevent contraction and expansion due to temperature changes.

Shaker-style cabinets take their name from a largely obsolete Christian sect called the United Society of Believers, better known as the Shakers. The religious group came to the United States in the late 1700s and gained broad appeal due to their focus on egalitarianism, pacifism and a communal lifestyle. Their religious views led them to live a life of simplicity and austerity, and their subsequent focus on utilitarian craftsmanship — which they viewed as “an act of prayer” — led to an enduring legacy of well-made furniture and architecture.    

Although there is only one remaining active Shaker community in the United States, which consists of just two members, the Shaker influence prevails in all realms of design in the 21st century. Today’s interiors stand in stark contrast to the high ornamentation of decades past, so it’s no surprise that the more simplistic shaker-style cabinets have become such a staple in contemporary design. What’s more, shaker furniture is revered for its functionality and quality, which is appealing to modern consumers concerned with eliminating waste and lessening the effects of a “throwaway society.”

Amesbury Espresso Brown Shaker Cabinets

Integrating Shaker Cabinets

Today, you’ll see the shaker influence throughout the world of interior design. Of course, gray and white shaker kitchen cabinets are among the most popular choices because they contribute to that same timeless austerity set forth by the furniture crafted by the original Shakers.

However, we’re starting to see more and more interest in paints and stains in dark brown, green, blue and navy in shaker cabinetry. In fact, dark shaker cabinets are becoming quite trendy in high-end kitchen design. When paired with simple or statement-making hardware, shaker cabinets can be dressed up or dialed down in a way that honors your unique design vision and your home’s architectural style.

Many people complete their simple or modern kitchen designs with shaker crown molding — which is equally as attractive yet unadorned — to complete the look and tie it all together. Light-colored natural stone and butcher block countertops are among the more popular counter pairings, but shaker cabinetry truly complements any surface choice.

Best Kitchen Styles for Shaker Cabinets

Another wonderful thing about shaker cabinetry is its unparalleled versatility, fitting into virtually all design styles and color schemes. When paired with classic white marble and brass hardware, white shaker cabinets can bring a fresh feeling of warmth and glamour. And yet, when done in a dark hue, shaker-style cabinets are perfectly suitable for more traditional spaces. 

If hyper-modern is your thing, shaker can work as well. Though they are extremely simple, shaker cabinet doors aren’t the simplest in the lineup. Slab cabinet doors — which feature no panels or rails whatsoever — are even more minimalistic, so they also lend themselves well to mid-century and ultra-modern design styles. However, both styles are hallmarks of contemporary design.

Buy Shaker Cabinets

Whether you’re looking to refresh your trendy, transitional kitchen or want to add a classic utility to your brand-new remodel, Wholesale Cabinet Supply has just what you need. Want to visualize how a shaker-style cabinet would look in your kitchen or bathroom? Request a free design and quote today!