Consider a Shaker style kitchen if you want to create a classic and timeless look for your kitchen. The Shaker style is a type of furniture design that originated in the 18th century, and simple and clean lines, minimal ornamentation, and high-quality craftsmanship characterize it. This style has become a popular choice for kitchen design due to its timeless and versatile look. In this article, we’ll look at a Shaker-style kitchen and how you can achieve this aesthetic in your home.
The Origin of Shaker Style
The Shaker style has its roots in the religious beliefs and lifestyle of the Shaker community. This Christian sect originated in England in the 18th century and settled in America during the same period. The Shakers believed in and practised life devoid of materialism and ostentation. Their daily activities reflected their religious beliefs, including their furniture making and architecture, which became known as the Shaker style.
Shakers were skilled craftsmen whose furniture blended form and function. Shaker style features minimal design, quality materials, subtle hardware, and expert craftsmanship. The style was also known for its durability, as the Shakers believed in creating furniture that would last for generations.
One of the defining features of the Shaker style is its use of wood. Shakers made furniture using cherry, maple, and birch from their locality with simple joinery techniques, mortise and tenon. They applied different finishes like oil, shellac, or wax to safeguard the wood and provide a natural appearance.
The Shaker style also emphasized using simple geometric shapes, such as squares, rectangles, and circles. Furniture had flat surfaces and straight edges, with inset doors and drawers for a seamless appearance. The hardware was also simple and understated, often wood or iron.
The Characteristics of a Shaker Style Kitchen
One of the critical characteristics of a Shaker style kitchen is its clean and simple lines. This design approach emphasizes functionality over ornate details, focusing on practicality and usability. Shaker-style kitchens often feature recessed panel cabinet doors, which give the space a clean and streamlined look. Typically, manufacturers make cabinets using high-quality woods like oak, maple, or cherry to enhance the space’s durability and longevity.
Another essential characteristic of a kitchen is its neutral colour palette. Shaker-style kitchens typically feature a simple and understated colour scheme, with white, beige, grey, or natural wood tones being the most common. This allows the focus to remain on the clean lines and practical design of the space without the distraction of bright or bold colours..
Lighting is also an important component of a Shaker style kitchen. To create a warm, beautiful, inviting atmosphere, the space is often illuminated with various fixtures, such as pendant lights, under-cabinet lighting, or recessed lighting. The lighting is typically soft and diffused rather than harsh or bright, which helps to create a cosy and comfortable space.
One of the benefits of a Shaker style kitchen is its versatility. The style is known for its simplicity and functionality, but it can be customized to suit the space’s various design preferences and needs. For example, you can choose different types of wood for your cabinets or opt for a different colour palette to add some personality to the space. You can also incorporate modern appliances and fixtures into a Shaker style kitchen without detracting from its classic and timeless design.
The Colours of a Shaker Style Kitchen
A Shaker style kitchen is typically characterized by neutral colours, such as white, beige, or grey. These colours provide a clean and timeless look that is easy to decorate around. However, you can add pops of colour to your Shaker style kitchen with accessories, such as colourful dishware or a colourful backsplash.
The Lighting in a Shaker Style Kitchen
Lighting is essential to any kitchen design, and a Shaker style kitchen is no exception. You can use a variety of lighting fixtures to create a warm and inviting environment in your kitchen. Pendant lighting is popular over an island or table, while recessed lighting can provide a subtle and understated look. Under-cabinet lighting is also excellent for illuminating your workspace and adding a warm and inviting glow to your kitchen.
How to Achieve this Style Kitchen
If you’re interested in creating a Shaker style kitchen in your home, you should consider a few key elements.
- You’ll want to choose high-quality wood cabinets with a simple and clean design. Depending on your preferences, you can choose from various kinds of wood, such as cherry, maple, or oak.
- You’ll want to choose simple, understated hardware, such as brushed nickel or pewter.
- You’ll want to choose neutral colours for your walls, backsplash, and countertops to create a clean and timeless look.
The Benefits of a Shaker Style Kitchen
There are several benefits to choosing this kitchen for your home:
- This style is timeless and versatile, so it will always stay in style.
- Its easy to decorate, which means you can easily change the look of your kitchen with new accessories or colours.
- The designers created a functional and practical kitchen that is also beautiful and valuable.
Conclusion
A Shaker style kitchen is a timeless and versatile design that can add a classic and understated look to your home. You can create a warm, inviting, functional, and beautiful space by choosing high-quality wood cabinets with a simple, clean design, neutral colours, and understated hardware. Lighting is also an essential component of a Shaker style kitchen, and you can use a variety of fixtures to create a warm and inviting atmosphere in your space.
If you’re considering kitchen remodelling or renovation, this kitchen is a great choice. With its simple and timeless design, this style can add a classic and understated look to any home. If you prefer traditional or contemporary design, you can customize a kitchen to suit your preferences and needs.
FAQs
Are Shaker style kitchens expensive?
The cost of a Shaker-style kitchen can vary depending on the materials used and the complexity of the design. Homeowners often consider Shaker-style kitchens a good investment because they focus on high-quality craftsmanship and durable materials.
Can I customize my Shaker style kitchen?
Yes, one of the benefits of this style of kitchen is its versatility. You can customize the materials, colours and hardware to suit your preferences and needs.