What are shaker style cabinets?

If you’ve spent any time watching HGTV’s house hunters or home remodeling shows, you’ve heard a lot about the various different cabinet styles. Kitchens are actually one of the most important areas of the home to any homeowner, and older model cabinets can really date the space. Shaker cabinets, arguably today’s hottest style, have been around decades but continue to appeal to a wide variety of buyers. So exactly what are shaker cabinets?

Back in the time when homes were individually built and each piece of woodwork was handcrafted by craftsmen and carpenters, members of a religious group referred to as Shakers pioneered the concept of installing built-in cabinetry in the United States. They were known for their quality of workmanship and clean, classic design.

Simplicity at its finest

The Shakers didn’t believe in heavy ornamentation and carvings on their furniture, and designed simple pieces that were both functional and attractive. As a result, Shaker furniture is considered timeless and can fit in well with traditional, contemporary and transitional designs. The definition of a shaker cabinet is one that has five-piece doors, with flat recessed panels and no bevel on the frame. The drawers can be of the same five-piece design or a simple slab front.

Traditional finishes include natural or light stain, though nowadays painting them or adding a distressed look have also become popular. In keeping with the clean and simple design, basic hardware is usually installed. Handles and pulls with metal finishes, such as nickel, burnished bronze and gold all compliment the classic look. The “no frills” Shaker style has the added benefit of being easy to install.

Long lasting shaker cabinets for your kitchen

When all the dust settles, remodeling is an exciting way to make an older home feel like new. For your kitchen, there’s nothing that makes a bigger statement than beautiful, new cabinets. And choosing a classic style will mean you won’t be repeating the process in a few years.

Shaker cabinets are an excellent investment, because they’ve been proven to stand the test of time. See examples of affordable ready to assemble cabinets on our site, including the very popular white shaker RTA cabinets. And enjoy the added convenience of shopping and ordering from the comfort of your home.