Ultimate Guide to Shaker Kitchen Cabinets [2024]

Shaker kitchen cabinets are rising due to their minimalistic and elegant appearance. They can blend effortlessly with the rest of the kitchen hardware and enhance the place’s overall feeling, as they come in many different styles. 

What is a Shaker Kitchen Cabinet?

Shaker kitchen cabinets are rectangular or square-shaped with another rectangular or square-shaped box within their surface. Every aspect of shaker kitchen cabinets aims for simplicity and the modern atmosphere that it brings to the kitchen, and they have various features that enable them to do their work. 

A Shaker-style cabinet takes its name from a religious group that came to the US, the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing, most often called the Shakers. They wanted to create a community that valued the simple things in life to foster honesty and integrity. They were self-sufficient and made much of what went into their homes, and they appreciated having a utilitarian rather than decorative. Simplicity and utility are the main characteristics of Shaker furniture styles, including kitchen cabinets.

It is a trademark that shaker wall cabinets are made from local wood materials. This creates a versatile trait and warmth that suits contemporary, classic, and transitional kitchen themes. A Shaker cabinet mainly comprises four pieces of wood to create the cabinet door frame and a fifth flat, recessed piece that serves as the center panel. The door was set precisely inside the cabinet box, or inset, and had exposed hinges. 

What are The Features of Shaker Kitchen Cabinets?

The most important aspect of these cabinets is that they can blend very well with almost every type of kitchen, for example, traditional, modern, or even small personal kitchens. 

1. What are Shaker Cabinets Made of?

Shaker cabinets are typically made from the following materials:

• Solid Wood: Traditionally, Shaker cabinets are made from high-quality solid woods like cherry, maple, oak, and pine. These woods are chosen for their durability, strength, and the beauty of their natural grain.
• Plywood: Shaker cabinets can also be made from plywood in more modern interpretations or cost-effective versions. Plywood offers strength and stability, and it can be finished with wood veneers to give the appearance of solid wood at a lower cost.
• Medium-Density Fiberboard (MDF): MDF is another material commonly used for Shaker cabinets, especially in painted finishes. MDF is an engineered wood product known for its smooth surface, which makes it ideal for painting. It’s less prone to warping or cracking than solid wood, but it doesn’t have the same strength or longevity.
• Particle Board: Some budget-friendly Shaker cabinets may use particle board, especially for the cabinet boxes. Particle boards are less expensive than other materials but are also less durable and prone to damage from moisture.

Shaker cabinets are characterized by their five-piece door with a recessed center panel. Regardless of the material, this design is simple yet elegant, making Shaker cabinets a popular choice for various kitchen styles.

2. Elegant and Easy To Blend

Due to its minimalistic appearance, shaker kitchen cabinets are one of the best types of cabinetry you can choose for your modern and classy kitchen. This approach also makes your kitchen look larger due to the need for more necessary things that occupy space in other kitchens.

Cabinet hardware pertains to the knobs and hinges used on your modern shaker-style cabinets. Some styles would have the hinges seen on the outside or hidden. Likewise, the design and finish of the knobs add curb appeal to your shaker-style cabinets.

3. Finishes 

Shaker kitchen cabinets offer different finishes for people who want to avoid the wooden appearance while conserving these cabinets’ minimalistic approach. The most common finishes applied to shaker kitchen cabinets are Thermofoil, Polyurethane, and Burnished. These finishes will give you the look you want from your shaker cabinetry.

Thermofoil finish is mainly used to enhance the wood’s surface and make it last longer. However, it is not DIY-friendly and requires special care and precision that only a professional can perfect. 

Polyurethane finish, on the other hand, is DIY-friendly. It is the most common finish for Shaker-style kitchen cabinets as it brings out the earthly and natural feelings solid wood has.

A burnished finish makes your cabinetry look older than it is, and this aging process makes its fixtures look shinier and more attractive. However, they, too, are not DIY-friendly if you don’t have experience with this process.

Grey shaker kitchen cabinets have their fan base. For people who don’t want any finishes on their cabinetry, there is also the most classical painted finish that gets rid of textures that hardwood has.

4. What Color Goes with Shaker Kitchen Cabinets?

If you do not want the natural wooden look in your kitchen cabinetry, you can paint them according to your needs. You do not need to worry about finding the best color for your kitchen, as shaker kitchen cabinets have many color options. 

These cabinets can be colored blue, green, and red, as well as the classic white, grey, and black. They can also be matte with the right finish. Or, you can opt for a more traditional white to make your kitchen look elegant and classic.

Choose a color that complements your kitchen countertop, wall, and flooring. White or neutral colors are most preferred for smaller kitchens. On the other hand, dark brown shaker cabinets are perfect for big kitchen spaces.

5. Shaker Kitchen Cabinets Have Various Styles 

Standard Shaker cabinets, Skinny Shaker cabinets, and shallow Shaker cabinets are popular options for this type of kitchen cabinet. The standard Shaker kitchen cabinet type has the most visible rails and stiles, and their widths range from two and a quarter inches to three and a half inches. Also, the gap between the main surface and the recessed shaker panel is bigger. 

On the other hand, Skinny Shaker Cabinets’ rails and stiles are smaller, and the gap between the recessed panel and the central panel is much more undistinguishable. These rails and stiles can shrink to just ¾ inches, making the recessed panel bigger, which makes the cabinetry look modern.

Shallow shaker cabinets also have a more significant gap between the recessed panel and main panel and are similar in appearance to Skinny Shaker Cabinets. 

What is The Average Cost of Shaker Style Cabinets?

Plenty of variables influence the overall cost of shaker cabinets, including material, labor, hardware, finishes, and size. The average cost for making custom shaker cabinets is between $100 and $1,200 for every linear square foot.

Below are estimated prices for different materials used for constructing your cheap shaker cabinets:

• Laminate – $4,000 to $15,000
• Acrylic – $5,000 to $20,000
• Stainless steel – $25,000 to $38,000
• Wood veneer – $2,000 to $15,000
• Wood – $5,000 to $25,000

What is The Cost of a 10×10 Kitchen?

Aside from materials and labor, the size and layout of your kitchen will also influence the overall cost of your shaker cabinets. A 10×10 kitchen space (20 linear square feet) will cost around $2,000 to $24,000. Still, your materials will affect the overall shaker cabinet cost.

What is The Cost of a 12×12 Kitchen?

Meanwhile, your 12×12 kitchen shaker cabinet feet (24 linear sq.ft.) will cost around $2,500 to $29,000.

Shaker Cabinet Door Profiles

The Shaker style is popular for its clean lines and simple door profile. However, you can achieve classic shaker kitchen cabinets with extra details. 

• For instance, the shaker style can blend well with beadboard or Scandinavian door design. 
• You can opt for bar pulls with a beveled edge door profile.
• Consider frameless shaker kitchen cabinet feet for a contemporary look. 
• A glass door cabinet profile is another best choice for instantly getting a spacious feel.

Conclusion

Shaker kitchen cabinets are a popular choice for those looking for a minimalist and elegant look in their kitchen. These cabinets are rectangular or square-shaped with a box within their surface, and their design is based on simplicity and utility. Shaker cabinets are made of hardwood but can also be made of MDF. They are elegant and easy to blend, making them an excellent choice for modern kitchens. Shaker cabinets have perfect availability for finishes, including Thermofoil, Polyurethane, Burnished, and painted finishes. They have many color options, including blue, green, red, traditional white, grey, and black. Shaker cabinets have various styles, including standard, skinny, and shallow shaker cabinets, with widths and gaps between the recessed and main panels.