All About Shaker Cabinet Doors

Nothing says classic style like Shaker kitchen cabinets. These cabinets have been around and popular for over 200 years. You may be wondering why these cabinets are so popular, or why they are called “Shaker”. These cabinets are a staple for interior design, and in this blog, we are going to show you why!

What Are Shaker Cabinets?

Shaker cabinets are a popular choice in the world of cabinetry. Simple but aesthetically pleasing, shakers cabinet doors are cope-and-stick construction and recessed panel doors with simple and clean inside edges. This means that the stiles and rails, the vertical and horizontal frame pieces respectively, are joined with the rails fitting between the stiles forming a 90-degree angle.

From the ground up, shaker cabinets are known for their minimalistic look. You will often find them are finished with light colors and feature basic hardware; which makes them perfect for anyone looking to keep their space clean-lined without any unnecessary details getting in the way of functionality.

How Shaker Cabinets Got Their Name

In the 1780s, a self-sufficient community called the Shakers immigrated to America where they became renowned for their simple living, communal lifestyle, and egalitarian ideals. They eventually spread across New England and began handcrafting high-quality furniture including what is today known as shaker cabinet doors.

The Shaker community believed that everyone should have a purpose, and they saw the fulfillment of this purpose as a testament to their faith. With this motivation, the drive of refinement was necessary for their crafting process and brought out the highest-quality products. Furniture made by the shaker communities had been known for having an impeccable quality of workmanship from those days because it has always used only good material; its design would be durably simplistic without any unnecessary intricacies.

What Are Shaker Cabinets?

Shaker cabinets are a popular choice in the world of cabinetry. Simple but aesthetically pleasing, shakers cabinet doors are cope-and-stick construction and recessed panel doors with simple and clean inside edges. This means that the stiles and rails, the vertical and horizontal frame pieces respectively, are joined with the rails fitting between the stiles forming a 90-degree angle.

From the ground up, shaker cabinets are known for their minimalistic look. You will often find them are finished with light colors and feature basic hardware; which makes them perfect for anyone looking to keep their space clean-lined without any unnecessary details getting in the way of functionality.

What Do Shaker Cabinets Look Like Today?

It's easy to see why the Shakers have had such a long-lasting legacy. The traditional look and feel of shaker cabinets made with solid wood are still the best for any room in your home, but even though solid wood is beautiful to look at it also needs loads of maintenance and comes with a high price tag.

MDF is a type of manufactured material that has become the most sought-after building material due to its strength and price. Like solid wood, MDF needs to be finished in order to protect and seal it. Thermofoil is one of the most effective sealants for MDF, and it can be made to replicate a wide variety of colors and styles, including the shaker-style! Thermofoil cabinets can be a great way to get the shaker style you want, without breaking the bank.

If your budget allows, traditional approaches with solid wood are an excellent material in terms of strength, durability, and longevity. Solid woods also can increase the value of a home which gives it good ROI potential!

Check out our Modern Thermofoil series to see how designers are bringing this classic home staple into contemporary aesthetics.

Unique Ways To Use Shaker Cabinets In Your Kitchen

Shaker cabinets are the quintessential American kitchen staple. However, this doesn’t mean you will need a traditional style to have shaker cabinets. To get an idea of how versatile these cabinet types can be, here's a list of some unique ways to spruce up this timeless piece in any room:

1. Opt For Two-Tone: For something modern, go for a two-tone kitchen that creates interest and a sense of more space. By painting your base cabinets a darker color than your upper cabinets, your ceiling will feel taller and make the room seem more open.
2. Insert Beadboard Panels: Customizing your shaker doors with beadboard is a great way to create an updated farmhouse feel. Adding this vertical detail to your cabinet doors will add interest and direction to your space. If you are looking to buy shaker doors with beadboard already installed, check out our Camden doors!
3. Add Glass Fronts: Glass-front cabinets are in style and can help you elevate your shaker cabinets to the next level. You can convert your current shaker doors for glass, or you can order new doors pre-cut for glass. You can achieve this look with solid wood or thermofoil doors!

Shaker Cabinet Doors Are Versatile And Timeless

The Shaker-style cabinets have been around for a long time and are not going anywhere anytime soon. The doors have evolved over the years, but since they were popularized in the 1800s, these cabinets fit seamlessly into any home décor style - whether it be rustic or modern.

If you are ready to start ordering or if you need assistance, please feel free to call us at 1-844-326-6680 or email info@cabinetdoormart.com. Our team is here to help with everything from measuring to ordering.