The kitchen is one of the rooms in your home where you spend more of your time. It’s the place where you cook your comfort foods and try new recipes. It’s where you and your family gather at the end of a long day to share a meal and stories of what you’ve been doing that day. You may even have kitchen-related memories from your childhood. After all, who can’t remember the desserts their grandma made for them when they were tiny? And while the kitchen is often tied to emotional experiences, it is still a practical, pragmatic place. It is also the household space that sees the most wear and tear, as cooking and baking usually mean there’ll be a lot of cleaning to do after you’re done.
For these reasons, choosing a new way to decorate your kitchen can be a real test and trial. After all, you want something that suits your aesthetic tastes, but you’re also aware that a good kitchen is sturdy and functional, not merely for decoration. If it seems impossible to reconcile the two, it might just be that you’re not yet familiar with Shaker kitchens. They are the perfect option when you’re looking to get something that’s both stylish and reliable.
What are Shaker kitchens?
You might have heard the term before but never searched to see what a Shaker kitchen looks like. While becoming increasingly popular in recent years, the style is actually nothing new. Emerging in the United States all the way back in the 18th century, the Shaker kitchen gets its name from a religious community, commonly referred to back in the day as Shakers. The group outlined the importance of simplicity in lifestyle, dress, cuisine, and, you guessed it, interior design.
An enduring trend, the Shaker kitchens of today all follow the same crisp, austere lines that lend themselves well to any indoor space. The Shaker view of life placed great importance on function and utilitarianism, which meant increased attention given to craftsmanship that created long-lasting pieces. Since they didn’t place much importance on worldly goods, this also meant they weren’t concerned with the latest trends. Consequently, you can now enjoy a kitchen style that never goes out of fashion.
The appeal of the Shaker-style cabinets lies in the arrival of the larger trend that prioritises minimalism and making use of what you already own instead of constantly purchasing new things. All areas of design, from clothing to furniture, are beginning to focus more on simplicity and ease of use rather than extensive design and complicated patterns.
The many advantages
Choosing Shaker kitchen doors comes with a plethora of advantages. First of all, the Shaker style is very low maintenance. Because the design is straightforward and austere, you don’t have to worry about cleaning in hard-to-reach places such as engraving ridges or grooves. Having to embark on a full cleaning spree anytime after you cook is exhausting, so a kitchen that allows you to wipe everything down in a few minutes is a huge bonus.
Since they are made of high-quality materials, Shaker cabinet doors are largely stain-resistant. You can use your kitchen to your heart’s content without worrying about scrubbing at tomato paste or custard stains for hours in the aftermath. If your current kitchen furniture is easily stained or scrapped, then you know how much that can affect the overall look of the space. Even when everything is spotlessly clean and arranged in perfect order, battered cabinets can make your whole kitchen appear shabby.
This is one of the aspects that adds to the Shaker cabinet’s versatility and timelessness. Not only does it never go out of fashion due to its unpretentious design, but its ability to withstand daily use and come out of it largely unscathed is also what guarantees you won’t have to constantly look for kitchen door replacements to make your indoors look presentable. However, you shouldn’t make the mistake of believing simple equals boring. On the contrary, you’ll notice that the Shaker design is very eye-catching. The colour palette ranges from white to ivory, sage green, dust grey, ocean blue, dakar and graphite, the perfect shades to create an elegant, traditional ensemble that is nevertheless up to modern design requirements.
And last but definitely not least, the costs associated with redecorating your kitchen in the Shaker style are significantly more affordable compared to other arrangements. Not only is this due to the effortless design that is not as labour and time intensive as that of more ornate styles, but it is also because the durability means that you won’t have to repair, paint, or change your kitchen doors very often, meaning that you’ll be saving money in the long-term. If you’re planning to start living on a budget and saving money, the Shaker cabinets can help you make that dream a reality by helping you save on decoration expenses.
Adaptable to all styles
Because the Shaker cabinets are in and of themselves not at all ostentatious, they’ll lend themselves well to many other designs you want to try out in your kitchen. Because they’re so versatile, the cupboards will never feel out of place in any kitchen, so you can experiment with your indoor design as much as you want. For example, you can create a two-tone design that uses both light and dark tones to create a pleasant contrast. You can also add some upper cabinets that have glass fronts, where you can display your prettiest porcelain dishware. Consider adding rustic, open shelving if you’re a fan of the vintage look. On the contrary, if you prefer a more futuristic style, use chrome handles and lighting appliances to create your favourite vibe.
No matter what type of kitchen you want to assemble, Shaker kitchen doors will work in every space. Tasteful and sturdy all at once, they’re a long-term investment you are sure to be proud of. So choose the Shaker kitchen without any concerns. You are guaranteed to be satisfied with the results.
