Are you thinking about updating your kitchen with new Shaker cabinets but aren’t sure if they’re the right style for you? Don’t worry, we can help! Here’s everything you need to know about Shaker cabinets.
Shaker Cabinet Design
Above all, the design of new cabinets is usually the first priority for homeowners. After all, you want your new cabinets to look good and fit in with your decor. Thankfully, Shaker cabinets are one of the most popular cabinet designs for a good reason. They work with almost any decor!
Shaker cabinets are so named because they were first designed by the religious group called the Shakers. Shakers believed in living a simple life. And they felt that too much decoration could lead to the sin of pride. So they developed the simple, utilitarian cabinets we know today as Shaker cabinets. And that design has endured for hundreds of years!
Honesty and integrity were also important to Shakers. And that applied both to their beliefs and their cabinets. The Shakers spurned modern elements, like veneer, deeming them dishonest. Instead, they focused on high-quality workmanship and durability. And that’s something Shaker cabinets are still known for today. Talk about a lasting design!
The most defining feature of Shaker cabinet design is the framed flat-panel doors. These classic frames consist of two horizontal pieces, called rails, and two vertical pieces called stiles. Ultimately, they create a simple, appealing design that fits well in almost any kitchen. Additionally, while traditional Shaker cabinets had wood knobs, today, you can choose any cabinet pulls you wish.
Shaker Cabinet Materials
Due to the Shaker values of simplicity and quality workmanship, Shaker cabinets were traditionally made from local American woods. Other cabinet makers of the time imported mahogany and rosewood. But the Shakers used pine, maple, and cherry, which were abundant near their homes.
Today, those same species of wood are still the most common materials used to make Shaker cabinets. They provide solid construction and beauty. So they are perfect if you prefer a traditional choice. However, it’s fine to use any species of wood you like in custom Shaker cabinets.
Shaker cabinets are also often painted or stained. If you prefer stained wood, choose the species that appeals most to you. Pine cabinets are lighter in color, while cherry and maple are darker. However, if you prefer to paint your cabinets, maple is a good choice. That’s because it’s smooth and easy to paint.
Benefits of Shaker Cabinets
The Shaker focus on quality, simple design, and utility creates a top-notch cabinet. So expect your Shaker cabinets to be strong, long-lasting, beautiful, and functional. And isn’t that what we all want from our new cabinets?
Today, we reap the benefits of the attractive yet hard-working Shaker design. But we also have the freedom to add as many modern touches as we wish. That way, it’s easy to make Shaker cabinets as useful as possible. And that’s important because your cabinets should work for you.
Edgewood Cabinetry offers a variety of cabinet accessories and options that work well with Shaker cabinets. For instance, hide a pull-outs for your trash behind your stylish Shaker cabinet doors. Or tidy the inside of your cabinets with Lazy Susans, spice racks, and drawer inserts.
Want a home bar tucked behind a simple Shaker cabinet facade? We can do that, too! Today, there’s no limit to the useful features available for Shaker cabinets. So if you love the Shaker cabinet design, we’ll make all the custom features you want work for you! After all, style plus function is a clear win when it comes to new cabinets. And we want you to win!
Would you like to learn more about Shaker cabinets? Or are you ready to design the kitchen of your dreams with new Shaker cabinets? Great! Give us a call at (919) 339-7300 or contact us here. We’re happy to answer all your questions and help you begin the design process.