Everything You Need to Know About Shaker Cabinets

Kitchen with White Shaker Cabinets Large Island and White Subway Tile Backsplash — In the kitchen pictured above, Shaker cabinets lightly decorated with crown molding and sash pulls are used in a transitional design.

Shaker cabinets are extremely popular for their timeless style. As well as their ability to complement traditional, transitional and contemporary designs. These cabinets have five-piece doors with flat recessed panels and no bevel on the frame. The simple construction, also referred to as rail and style or frame and panel, provides a clean look.

The five-piece doors combined with five-piece drawer fronts or simple slab drawer fronts create a complete look. The doors and drawer fronts may also be inset, partial overlay, or full-overlay.

This enduring furniture style was developed by a religious community, the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing, commonly known as Shakers. Shaker values of simplicity, utility and craftsmanship. Furthermore, the design of their furniture and architecture reflect these values. Moreover, shakers kitchen cabinets were actually the first to incorporate built-in cabinetry in architecture on a wide scale.

Shaker Inset Cabinets With Exposed Hinge Barrels

The Shaker Inset cabinet style features concealed hinges, slab or five-piece drawer fronts on deep drawers and slab drawer fronts on shallow drawers. For example, this two-tone kitchen design uses black Shaker cabinets to create a buffet wall, and white to create a custom center island.

Kitchen with Shaker door Shaker Inset-style cabinets in painted White with a tall built-in hutch in Shaker Inset painted Black

Shaker Inset Cabinets With Concealed Hinges

The Shaker Inset concealed hinge inset cabinet provides the ultimate sleek profile. Consequently, this unique design puts the recessed panels as a focal point.

Kitchen with Inset Door Shaker Cabinets and Island

Shaker Full-Overlay Cabinets With Recessed-Panel Drawer Fronts

The harmonious Shaker style, featuring full-overlay recessed-panel drawer and door fronts, provides an unbroken emphasis on craftsmanship.

U-shaped kitchen with white shaker cabinets with overlay doors

Shaker Full-Overlay Cabinets With Slab Drawer Fronts

Perfect for contemporary or transitional designs, the Shaker balances the recessed-panel cabinet doors with slab drawer fronts.

Kitchen Wall with Shaker Door Style Stainless Oven and Refrigerator

Comparing Shaker to Mission/Arts & Crafts Styles

Mission style appeared on the American design scene in the late 19th century. Similar to Shaker in design, Mission cabinets emphasize the natural grain of the wood, such as oak. They also feature heavy metal hardware.

The Shakers take credit for a number of technical innovations including the circular saw.

Checkout the Best White Shaker Kitchen Cabinet Ideas!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are shaker cabinets

The Shaker style is a style that has five-piece door frame with a recessed (flat) panel. This enduring furniture style was developed by a religious community, the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing, commonly known as Shakers. Shaker valUse of simplicity, utility and craftsmanship.

What are shaker style cabinets

Shaker style cabinets are a set of cabinets that contain five-piece door frames with recessed panels. This style was developed by a religious group commonly called Shakers. This style is known for its simplicity and craftsmanship.

Are shaker cabinets going out of style

The short answer is no, Shaker cabinets are not going out of style. An argument could be made that the style is declining only because there have been many variations of the Shaker style.

What hardware looks best on shaker cabinets

The art of the Shaker style is simplicity. So the best answer it to keep the hardware simple. Stainless steel pulls are a good starting point.

How to install shaker cabinets

Shaker cabinets install like all other kitchen cabinets.

Are shaker cabinets modern

What is modern and what is not is in the eye of the beholder. Some consider the Shaker style modern some consider it transitional. But the Shaker style really is a style by itself. Which is the beauty of Shaker cabinets. Depending on what you design around the cabinets can affect the style that you want.

Are shaker cabinets trendy

The short answer is yes, Shaker cabinets are on a hot trend. An argument could be made that the style is declining only because there have been many variations of the Shaker style. But what makes the Shaker style cabinet unique it blends with many styles.

Are shaker cabinets good quality

Shaker is a style which does not affect the quality of the cabinet.

How much are white shaker cabinets

Typically white shaker cabinets fall into the entry level price point compared to other, more decorative, door style types.

How to assemble shaker cabinets

Shaker cabinets assemble like all other flat-pack kitchen cabinets.

How to clean corners of shaker cabinets

Shaker cabinets are cleaned like all other kitchen cabinets.

Are shaker cabinets expensive

Shaker cabinets are usually categorized into an entry level price point due to the simple design.

How much do shaker cabinet doors cost

Shaker cabinets are much more affordable in comparison to other cabinet styles due to the simplistic design. Usually, they fall into the entry level price category.

How thick are shaker cabinet doors

Shaker style cabinet doors have a door frame that is typically 5/8-3/4" thick and has a recessed (flat) center panel that is typically 1/4-1/2" thick. This all depends on the cabinet manufacturer.

How to paint shaker cabinet doors

Before painting your cabinet doors, you should connect with a local paint retailer. There are so many options to choose from, starting with oil or water-based paint.

Where to buy shaker cabinet doors

Shaker cabinet doors can be purchased online or by a local cabinet manufacturer in most cases. It does vary on your location.

Are shaker cabinets farmhouse style

The style terms Shaker and Farmhouse have become intertwined but Shaker is really a style all it's own. When it comes to style Shaker stands alone. Farmhouse is really only a look, or a theme more that a defined style.