Why Slim Shaker Kitchen Cabinets Have Designers Rattled
27 Mar 2023
Hear that far-off rattle? No, it’s not an earthquake; it’s the sound of slim Shaker kitchen cabinets shaking up the industry – again. Honestly, interior designers and décor enthusiasts can’t get enough.
When they were invented in the 1700s, Shaker kitchen cabinets became an instant hit with design fans. Thanks to a fresh twist, however, even average homeowners are still asking about them today.
The questions make sense. Unless you’re a professional designer or have a questionable relationship with kitchen doors, you probably don’t know exactly what a “Shaker” kitchen is. You might also have to ask:
- Why everyone loves them
- How you can design one that looks great in your home
Well, strap in because today’s article will answer all those questions and more, including solid advice to help create your own on-trend modern Shaker kitchen that’s guaranteed to stay fashionable for decades.
Shaker Kitchens Explained
Let’s start in the 1700s with a religious offshoot of the Quakers. Short on supplies in the New World, this pious group – deemed “the Shakers” as a result of their spirited sermons – built their own furniture. Their pieces proved popular – and the Shaker kitchen was born!
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Leap forward a few centuries and Shaker kitchens have gained a reputation, not just for their eternal style but also their hardiness. In the process, they’ve become an inspired backdrop for all sorts of kitchens, from country cottages to the Bake Off tent.
Build with simplicity in mind, the average Shaker kitchen has five-piece, bordered doors with a smooth centre panel – simple. Elegant. Timeless.
Even classics, though, can benefit from a facelift. Cue “slim Shakers” like our Bloomsbury and Kensington ranges – a modern spin on that eternal classic. With thinner border panels, this fresh twist has modernised the iconic Shaker design without detracting from its charm.
How Do I Get a Handmade Shaker Kitchen?
If you want a truly handmade range from the Shakers, you’re out of luck, given that only three practicing Shakers remain in the world, and bespoke kitchens can cost more than a luxury car.
Fortunately, re-building a religion or robbing a bank aren’t the only ways to get a high-quality, slim-Shaker-style kitchen. Masterclass Kitchens® offers features, for example, that are affordable but look totally bespoke. Where other brands use plastic utensil oranisers, our drawers include solid, wood-effect cutlery partitions, which align with our mantra that kitchen beauty isn’t only skin deep.
Likewise, these built-in benches look hand-measured for any living space and our Lansbury corner pantries offer a spark of higgledy-piggledy magic that would enable them to fit into any New World settler’s kitchen.
What Colours Work Best?
This style is a phenomenon that never stops. Admittedly, though, not all colours are equally popular. Right now, the rising stars include black, light grey and sage Shaker kitchens.
They’re popular for a reason. Black and grey are no-brainers – they match every colour scheme. If you want to go bolder, however, dark shades of green offer a way to make a statement that doesn’t age like wilting herbs. Consider this… ahem… sage advice.
And What If I Want a Totally Unique Range?
Now that you fully understand the slim Shaker kitchen trend, nothing can stop you from designing your own. We understand, though, that not every homeowner has a knack for matching colours. That’s why our expert design consultants exist!
If you need help shaking up your kitchen, browse our showroom locations and book a consultation, or become a Sigma 3 Insider for free. As an Insider, you’ll receive a weekly email full of design tips, plus a complementary library of lifestyle guides for those who want to make the most of their kitchen.
