For a quick background, Shaker kitchens date back to the 1700s and were designed by the Quakers, who were founded in England. Later some of the group migrated to New England, America and became known as the Shakers. Their philosophy was that everything should be functional, simple and practical.
This simple and practical style was of course reflected in the interior, particularly in the kitchen, which became the most famous of all kitchen designs. By updating fixtures, accessories, and colors, you can adapt and change the look to a contemporary or classic style.
Every aspect of the Shaker kitchen is thought out, from the dovetail joints to the intricate details on the cabinet doors. But has this beloved style been replaced by a more modern look? Are shaker kitchens still trendy?
Are shaker kitchens still a trend?
Looks timeless, extremely versatile, and not forgetting innovative storage solutions, hear from interior design experts on whether shaker kitchens are still making their way into 2024's interior design trends. I asked for it.
1. Focus on the timeless Shaker kitchen finish
(Image credit: Dalrymple Studio / Kensington Laverne)
This stunning shaker kitchen in a cabin house was designed by Dalrymple Studio and proves that practical elements can work in any space. “Shaker kitchens are always timeless and I believe that traditional classic style never gets old,” says Amy Dalrymple, the studio's founder and creative director.
“I think how you finish your kitchen will determine whether that style will age or not. Certain kitchen colors will age faster than others. Pink, for example, looks beautiful at the moment, but , are more likely to age you than darker colors like maroon, green, and navy,” Amy shares.
“Fixtures and fittings also make a big difference to the lifespan of a kitchen. We always invest in handles and splash tiles, which we think are more period than the style of the fittings. It’s from.”
2. Use it as a base for incorporating more current trends.
(Image courtesy of deVOL Kitchens)
“When we designed Shaker kitchens, we knew that one day Shaker kitchens would be in showrooms in London and New York, and that clients from Los Angeles to Tasmania would choose Shaker kitchens over any other kitchen cabinet style in the world. I never could have imagined it would happen,” says Paul. Mr. O'Leary, founder of deVOL Kitchens.
“Shaker kitchens have proven to be extremely versatile over the years. With wooden worktops and painted knobs in linen colors, they are understated and understated, but with polished bronze handles and quartz or black with copper worktops is eye-catching and appealing.'' It's still our best-selling product, and most of the unique kitchens that grace social media and magazines are still easy to make. This is a very simple cupboard that can be used without any problems. They are infinitely adaptable in a way we never expected. ”
Paul O'Leary co-founded deVOL in 1989 to specialize in freestanding kitchen furniture. By the late '90s, Paul became a sole proprietor and continued to focus on producing the highest quality cabinetry, reflecting deVOL's affinity for simple Georgian and Victorian furniture. This strong design ethic has attracted clients from all over the world to our showrooms in Coates Mill, London and New York, and has won us numerous kitchen and design awards.
3. Shaker kitchens are a great style to invest in
(Image provided by: TR Studio)
“Shaker kitchens are a timeless style, and the kind of longevity you want in a kitchen is an expensive investment,” says Tom Rutt, founder of TR Studio.
For a truly custom-made Shaker kitchen, with everything from perfectly crafted cabinets designed to fit in unwieldy alcoves and classic field doors, Tom is right. Although not necessarily budget-friendly, it is one of the best options for designing your kitchen. A timeless kitchen. The core shaker style can be adapted to any style, so it never goes out of style and is well worth the investment.
“In a recent project, we installed a Shaker-style kitchen in deep navy blue, combining contemporary brass fixtures, smooth Carrara marble, and Crittal-style glass to balance traditional elegance with fresh modernity. “We created a kitchen that was able to take the edge off,” he says. Tom.
Tom Rutt is the founder of TR Studio, a luxury architecture and interior design firm based in the City of London. Influenced by the likes of David Chipperfield, Vincent Van Duysen and Pierre Yovanovitch, Lat has an elaborate yet modernist approach to design, always in the purest sense of the word. Combined with something that breaks away from minimalism, it creates something playful and uplifting. He works on high-end bespoke residential and commercial projects in the UK and overseas, and his practice includes architecture, interior design and project management.
4. Add interest to simple furniture with prints
(Image credit: Divine Savages)
Tom Kennedy and Jamie Watkins, founders of Divine Savages, say: “We think Shaker kitchens are the winner when it comes to style and practicality.”
Some kitchen styles are current. And no matter what you do to breathe new life into them, it's hard to change their beauty. This is reversed in the Shaker-style kitchen that Tom and Jamie share.
“An easy way to update tired-looking shaker cupboards, breathe new life into them with fresh paint and statement kitchen wallpaper, instantly transforming this traditional kitchen style and giving it a more modern twist. Wallpaper can transform a kitchen from a clinical, functional space to a more homely, personal space. We chose a focal color from the wallpaper and complemented it by painting the Shaker cabinets the same shade. ”
Divine Savages specializes in creating exquisitely crafted wallpapers, fabrics, accessories, and limited edition art prints for the brave and daring. It was founded in 2017 by her husband Jamie Watkins and Tom Kennedy. Drawing inspiration from history, culture, fashion and the natural world, Divine Savage's eclectic mix of influences has created countless designs that speak to their individuality. Just as visually so, so in name. They take pride in producing British-made wallpapers, fabrics and home accessories around the world with a sacred and savage twist.
5. You can choose the color you want
(Image credit: Olive & Barr)
“Shaker-style kitchens' timeless appeal and versatility have made them a favorite choice among homeowners and designers alike. One key benefit is their versatility. “The clean lines and unfussy aesthetic make it suitable for a variety of design schemes, from traditional to contemporary, in your choice of colors,” said Al Bruce, Founder of Olive & Barr. states.
Shaker kitchens have iconic cabinet shapes and mostly visually clean lines, so no matter what color you paint your cabinets, they'll look great. From jet black to coral, the design is undeniably beautiful. Make it eternally adaptable.
In conclusion, shaker kitchens are still quite popular. It's so classic that it might not be “on trend” per se, but with some clever design changes, you can update it to whatever you like. And that's the beauty of it, the core essence is classic enough to adapt to suit your needs and changing desires.
