Easily transcending kitchen trends and passing fads, shaker kitchens are a timeless classic. The white Shaker kitchen has become a kitchen design feature in its own right, thanks to its clean lines, uncluttered elegance, and crisp palette. But don't just take our word for it. we asked the experts.
Inspired by the humble yet masterful Shaker craftsman, the Shaker kitchen has evolved with time, trends and technology to become a symbol of the traditional kitchen with its versatile appeal. The beauty of white cabinets is that they can bend and blend into whatever style you choose, from rustic to modern.
Designer Kathy Kuo says, “White Shaker kitchen ideas are as timeless as kitchen design can be.” So, to find the perfect white shaker kitchen for you and your home, we spoke to interior designers about how to perfect the look like a pro.
white shaker kitchen ideas
There's a reason why white kitchens are so popular. It's bright and airy, and it doesn't take much effort to decide on the color scheme of the room. Making the most of natural light to create a bright and inviting atmosphere, white Shaker-style cabinetry enhances the classic aesthetic and is a staple in modern and traditional homes alike.
So what is a shaker kitchen? Simply put, “shaker” is a common name used to describe a cabinet door with a flat drawer head without molding.
“In the late 18th century, the Shaker family became known for their craftsmanship in home furnishings and cupboards,” explains Marlin Wright, design director at Plain English Kitchens. “Their influence on kitchen design is huge due to their desire for everyday organization.”
“These days Shaker is synonymous with simple cupboard design. It lacks fancy details, usually has a painted finish, and can easily be adapted to the traditional Shaker palette as well as neutral shades.” adds Merlin. “Hugely popular, he combines two elements to create a kitchen that is both easy to live in and somehow timeless.”
(Image courtesy of deVOL Kitchens)
Are white shaker cabinets trending in 2024?
“Shaker-style cabinetry has always felt timeless and classic. It's a style that will never go out of style,” says Shannon Wallach, founder and partner at Studio LIFE/STYLE. “We like to use this as a skeleton and further develop details within the cabinet when designing a custom,” she added.
But Richard Davonport, managing director of Davonport Kitchens, feels its popularity is waning in favor of more saturated shades.
“You don't really want an all-white shaker kitchen anymore,” says Richard. “Often people think that in north-facing spaces the space will be brighter and the best option is to turn it white. However, this includes warm pigments to give the needed dimension. It actually has the opposite effect of what people were looking for, and that's where secondary colors come in.”
Whether you're feeling particularly right now or not, the white shaker kitchen will forever remain a design staple. But it's not as simple as choosing a white-based door and just running with it. The magic of a white kitchen is in the styling. According to the interior designer, he has carefully selected seven ways to decorate well with white and avoid it becoming too drab.
1. Use all white to brighten a small space
(Image courtesy of deVOL Kitchens)
In a small kitchen, fully embracing an all-white color palette like the one above can give your space a brighter, more spacious feel with a small white shaker kitchen from deVOL Kitchens. Natural oak floors, buttercream ovens, and unlacquered raw brass faucets and hardware add a veil of warmth throughout the room.
“In small kitchens, try to keep color to a minimum and stick to a muted, soft color palette to avoid a cluttered look,” says Helen Parker, creative director at deVOL. “It's amazing how a limited color selection can create a quieter, more orderly feel in a room,” she added.
Helen is the Creative Director of deVOL, a leading kitchen design company that combines classic and contemporary. Helen has been the company's creative director since 2011 and is passionate about deVOL's signature understated approach to kitchen design.
2. Try dark countertops
(Image credit: deVOL Kithens)
A clean, minimalist kitchen with white marble or light wood kitchen countertops may seem too bare to some people (and very fresh to others). Therefore, pairing it with dark countertops can add a level of contrast that enhances the entire kitchen.
For a traditional look, dark stained oak or iroko countertops bring a natural feel to your kitchen and coordinate with all-white shaker doors. “Complement this rustic-chic style with decorative items like beautiful linen dish towels, reclaimed wood cutting boards and serving trays, and stoneware plates and mugs,” advises designer Kathy Kuo. “A general rule is to keep Shaker's kitchen decor simple, chic, and cozy.”
If you want to go in a more contemporary direction, using microcement and dark marble or stone can introduce a new dimension to your palette while keeping it fresh and adding a modern edge.
Kathy Kuo is a renowned interior designer and international leading expert on home and lifestyle spaces. She has over 20 years of experience in the design industry.
3. Pair it with a statement island
(Image credit: Naked Kitchens)
White Shaker cabinets are a classic backdrop, instantly creating a clean, timeless look. They match any style of interior and give you the opportunity to add a little personality to the heart of your home,” says Elizabeth Sherwin, Naked Kitchen's creative director.
For a punchy, modern twist on a traditional design, choose statement shades like dark wood, deep purple, forest green, or navy blue for your kitchen island. “Dark tones stand out against the white elements of your kitchen to create a bold look,” advises Elizabeth. “White features, such as marble worktops and countertops, offset dark tones and reflect the natural light around the kitchen.”
Richard Davonport agrees. “Individuals often look for contrasting colors, such as islands or freestanding units, to add warmth to a white kitchen.”
“Instead of an all-white kitchen, consider adding white oak tones to the island to create a base of light tones and incorporate touches of natural materials,” says Anne-Marie Burton, designer at AMB Design. adds.
Elizabeth Sherwin is the creative director of Naked Kitchens, a custom kitchen company focused on contemporary and functional design.
4. Create texture with your backsplash
(Image credit: Neptune)
Contrasting kitchen backsplashes, like zellige tiles or statement marble, can add depth and character to a white shaker kitchen.
Designer Artem Kropovinsky, founder of Arsight, advises keeping it simple for a timeless and fresh look. “Add warmth and texture with natural materials like wood and stone, use tiles to introduce interesting textures, and incorporate color into backsplashes, appliances, and décor.”
“Marble's natural beauty acts as a focal point in a space without overwhelming the room,” adds David Hood, director of Goddard Littlefair. “Introducing different tones and textures through wood, metal and glass accents creates contrast with the stone and adds depth and visual appeal to the white palette,” he adds.
Based in New York, Arsight's founder, Artem Kropovinsky, has 10 years of extensive global design experience. Prioritizing minimalism, sustainability, and authenticity, Artem works on projects in the United States and around the world with his team of experts.
5. Contrast with lower cabinets
(Image credit: A. Naber Design)
“One of the kitchen trends for 2024 that we think will come to fruition in white shaker kitchens is the use of wood to contrast with the all-white,” says Richard Davonport. “Post-pandemic, there is a shift towards more organic materials, textures and color palettes. This includes expressing the natural beauty of wood,” he added.
When designing the modern-meets-contemporary kitchen pictured above, interior designer Abby Neighbor decided to limit the white cabinetry to the top. “Use a two-tone color scheme to break up the white,” she advises. “The thin shaker profile lends itself to a modern look.”
Adding a vintage rug and simple, organic styling props will breathe life into your space and create a lived-in feel.
Abbie Naber is the owner and lead designer of NABER DESIGN, a San Diego-based interior design firm. She focuses on renovations, new construction, and interior design and styling, striving to create spaces that are welcoming, fresh, and inviting.
6. Choose a warm off-white color
(Image credit: Heidi Callier / Photo Haris Kenjar)
“Variations of white kitchens have been popular since the 1930s,” says Merlin Wright of Plain English Kitchens. “For Plain English, we chose darker, more subdued tones from our unique paint range, such as ‘Dish Towel’ and ‘Rice Pudding.’ Rather than shying away from trends and fads, we took inspiration from them. ” he adds.
“We love using Farrow & Ball's Drop Cloth as an off-white hue that makes a space feel cozy and inviting,” advises Lexie Sokolow of Studio LIFE/STYLE.
Annie Marty Burton says, “I like to use paint on my cabinets because that way, even though they're painted, they still feel like the wood and the real thing.''
“Your paint color should be a moist, natural white, such as Benjamin Moore's Pashmina or Benjamin Moore's 50% Revere Pewter. My favorite white (when I really want white) is Benjamin -Sheeps wool from Moore, she advises.
7. Whitewash your small pantry
(Image credit: Plain English Kitchens)
Whether it's dedicated storage cabinets or a full-fledged walk-in pantry room, the bright power of white really shines in pantry and pantry spaces.
Even in a small pantry space, white shaker kitchen cupboards and walls eliminate the distraction of a carefully curated collection of jars, bottles and bags. Shaker-style design honors traditional craftsmanship and quality materials in a way that perfects Shaker's long-standing admiration for organization and functionality.
“For us, the most essential elements of the kitchen are the pantry and the kitchen table, they will never go out of style and will always remain the heart of the kitchen. What replaces the joy of having these two pieces of furniture in the kitchen? No,” adds Helen Parker of deVOL.
There are many ways to create a stylish white shaker kitchen. From paint ideas to statement stones and ways to incorporate pops of color, our panel of expert interior designers has plenty of ideas for getting your white color scheme just right.
White shaker kitchen cabinets are popular due to their clean lines, simple design, and timeless style. It offers a sophisticated look that pairs well with both modern and traditional kitchens, making it an ideal choice for anyone looking to create a space that will stand the test of time. Whatever your interior design style, you'll find white shaker kitchen ideas here.
