Shaker kitchens are loved by designers and offer a tried-and-true look that stands the test of time and remains undaunted by trends. But popular design tastes have evolved, and certain elements of Shaker style have fallen by the wayside.
Traditional style, defined by purposeful, functional design without frills, still holds a strong place in the design world. While the quality of this style of handcrafted furniture will continue to be invaluable, designers and homeowners are starting to look for a little more individuality.
From additional moldings to ultra-modern cabinetry, six interior designers show you the different kitchen styles they're replacing Shaker kitchens with and what they expect to see in the future. Here's what experts say:
What can replace a shaker kitchen?
Shaker style probably won't go away anytime soon, but these small kitchen updates are forcing the traditional look to adapt with the times. We spoke to six interior designers to find out what they notice about modern kitchens and how design schemes are changing.
1.Customized details
(Image credit: Future)
Shaker kitchens are completely customizable to your personal design tastes, but there's only so much you can update without deviating from the standby style. Annie Downing, an interior designer and founder of Austin, Texas-based Annie Downing Interiors, said these limitations deter clients from choosing Shaker-style kitchens. Masu.
“Shaker-style cabinets don't provide the custom look our customers are looking for. Plus, small shelves make them magnets for dust. “I love inset or slab front cabinets,” says Annie.
These modern Shaker kitchen updates, combined with eye-catching hardware not familiar to home Shaker kitchens, have largely replaced the traditional look for clients looking for a little more personality in their cooking spaces.
Annie Downing is an interior designer and founder of Austin-based Annie Downing Interiors.
2. More modern cabinets
(Image credit: Future)
Kyle O'Donnell and Christopher Sale, principal designer and senior project manager at New York City-based Gramercy Design, are considering whether to completely replace the Shaker or build on the traditional style to create a more modern version. I agree that styles are on the rise.
“Full-overlay doors with ultra-slim rails and styling and deeply recessed panels integrate visual interest and classic appeal into modern interiors, or modernize Shaker style into traditional interiors. “You can incorporate it,” Kyle says.
These sophisticated updates create a truly transitional feel to your space and are proven to be more timeless than Shaker style alone. The combination of modern and traditional is a useful starting point for creating your own interior design style.
But Christopher says Gramercy Design also enjoys decorating Shaker kitchens as they are, adding a little dimension to the details.
“At the other end of the spectrum, we take the timeless combination of inset frame cabinetry and recessed panel doors and dress them up with additional profile and special details to take your Shaker-inspired kitchen to the next level. I love it,” says Christopher.
Gramercy Design is a boutique interior design studio based in New York City, founded and led by Kyle O'Donnell. Christopher Sale is a senior project manager at the company.
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3. Adding shapes
(Image credit: Future)
“Shaker kitchens will forever be a timeless kitchen design that will outlive me in terms of style and classic design, but we are starting to see a shift in the market. From our perspective, Shaker This is purely driven by cost, as cabinetry is expensive,” says Richard Davonport, managing director of Davonport, a UK-based bespoke luxury kitchen company.
Designers are giving kitchen cabinets more character and using moldings to give them a layered look. It's a highly customizable approach that allows each kitchen to reflect its real personality.
“We're seeing the 20-year-old trend of heavy molding on flat doors re-emerge with a few tweaks. Although much cheaper, it's still possible to use that molding. You can get a bespoke kitchen that looks impressive and unique in terms of how you want it to look. Plus, if you want a kitchen that's on top of the latest trends, this is it!” says Richard Masu.
When it comes to color, Richard says he's referring to whites, ivories and neutrals combined with a molded-heavy look. But he warns that shaker kitchens may still be a popular style. Kitchen trends come and go, and designing a new kitchen based on a passing fad may not be the wisest choice for your forever home.
Richard Davonport is a fine cabinet maker and designer and Managing Director of Davonport, a UK-based bespoke kitchen brand.
4. Paint and stain
(Image credit: Elizabeth Kruger Design)
Shaker tends to keep it simple, but the designer is also seeing more dynamic movement in terms of color. Shaker kitchens can incorporate color, but they tend to shy away from detailed finishes. Currently, combinations of wood cabinetry and depth seem to be on the rise, says Elizabeth Kruger, principal designer at Elizabeth Kruger Design.
“We're now seeing more wood-look kitchens with reverse-bevel detailing and beadwork, rather than just flat shaker cabinets. Paint and stain are paired with stucco hoods and warm wood accents. seems to be popular,” says Elizabeth.
Stucco is one of the many textured finishes that are making a comeback these days, adding depth and visual interest to spaces throughout your home. Textured details combined with warm colors give the space an organic and homely feel, perfect for a family kitchen.
Elizabeth Kruger is the Principal Designer at Elizabeth Kruger Design, an award-winning firm based in Chicago and Cleveland.
5. Natural wood details
(Image credit: Future)
Kitchen styles featuring exposed wood finishes are also on the rise, says Alexandra Denberg, principal designer at M&P Design Group. Although Alexandra says, “Nothing completely replaces Shaker-style cabinet doors,” flat front doors with natural wood details can be found in the kitchen.
“Unlike the frames that characterize Shaker cabinets, the flat front door accentuates the natural wood grain without distracting from it,” she says.
Like warm colors and natural finishes, natural wood grain gives a space a rustic, natural look that fits perfectly into traditional kitchen designs while creating room for contemporary updates. .
Alexandra leads M&P Design Group, an award-winning interior design firm based in New York City.
6. Hardware updates
(Image credit: Future)
Audrey Scheck, interior designer and founder of Audrey Scheck Design, agreed with the group, saying she expects to see more “flat panels, beadboard, and inset cabinet fronts” in 2024. Stated. But Audrey said there will be significant updates beyond the cabinet itself. hardware shape.
“We also expect cabinet hardware to play an important role in Shaker kitchen replacement. As cabinet styles diversify, the size, placement, and style of cabinet hardware will also move away from traditional You start branching out from your options,” she says.
Replacing hardware with something more contemporary or more elaborate is a quick and easy way to update any style of kitchen, and has the potential to change the overall feel of your kitchen design without a major investment. there is.
Audrey Scheck has more than six years of experience in remodeling and renovation and leads Audrey Scheck Design, a full-service interior design firm based in Austin, Texas.
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The consensus is clear. There's really nothing that can replace a shaker kitchen. But design updates are on the way, and more modern versions of traditional kitchen styles could be the best kitchen design trends of the year so far.
