Shaker kitchens offer a timeless kitchen design, suited to both contemporary and traditional homes. Simplicity is the name of the game with Shaker kitchens, with plain-fronted cupboards and muted colours creating an effortless, fresh look.
Shaker kitchens are named after the religious sect, the Shakers, who believed in simplicity and utility. They were originally colourful with the units painted in blue, yellow, red or green. Papilio, a bespoke kitchen company near Bath, have worked on many kitchens in the Shaker style, making us specialists.
The main features of a Shaker kitchen
The units in the Shaker style are characterised by a square frame with an inset centre panel. Our construction for all Shaker kitchens makes for a hardy and tough kitchen that will last for a long time. For upper cabinets, you can use open shelves to display your favourite crockery and break up a solid line of cupboards.
Worktops in Shaker kitchens are traditionally made out of wood, which makes for an excellent look especially if you are living in an older property. Another way to enhance the traditional factor of a Shaker kitchen and add storage is using wicker baskets (lined or unlined) to keep fruit or other foodstuffs.
Alternatively, if you are looking for a more contemporary finish then granite or quartz are both hard-wearing options that offset the units, creating a blend of modern and old. Metal boxes or file boxes would then work well as extra storage on worktops.
Metal fridges and appliances like the Gaggenau fridge freezer in the Rectory Kitchen we designed and fitted recently also give a more modern finish to a Shaker-style kitchen. We also designed a copper peg rail for all their pots and pans.
Shaker kitchens are now often in muted colours, like white or grey, though Papilio bespoke kitchens offer a range of colours and finishes. Muted colours also don’t have to be from a neutral palette. Pastels, such as a muted green, are an original choice to make a Shaker kitchen more of a distinctive feature, even if you are working with a space that gets little natural light.
Cupboard handles are normally wooden knobs in Shaker kitchens, but peg rails are also a great addition to a Shaker kitchen, either as a space to hang coats and scarves, or close to an oven for pots or utensils. To add a modern element, you could use metal knobs instead.
A great example of how a Shaker kitchen fits perfectly into a traditional, listed home is the Devon farmhouse kitchen we are currently working on. In this case it has been adapted with glass panels in upper cabinets, so the owners can display glassware and crockery, and cup drawer pulls rather than simple knobs.
How a Shaker kitchen fits into your lifestyle
Shaker kitchens need little maintenance because of the manufacturing processes used. The style of the unit doors can mean that dust or food may gather in the grooves, but this is true for many unit styles and, unlike units with more decorative edges, Shaker-style units are easy to clean.
The Shaker style is free from embellishments, such as patterns or decorative edges, so it is best for people looking for a simpler, more minimalist style. If you prefer a bold or contemporary look then another style might be perfect for you!
Shaker kitchens are known for their versatility as they look great in both old and modern homes, fitting seamlessly into the existing theme you have chosen for your home.
If you have more questions about finding the kitchen style that suits you, Papilio bespoke kitchens, based near Bath, have written a handy guide covering all the main points to help you with your decision. Of course, if you fancy talking about your kitchen requirements, you can get in touch with us.
