Modernizing your Shaker kitchen can be as simple as introducing contemporary elements into the classic design. Think sleek, modern appliances paired with the traditional Shaker cabinetry, or incorporating modern materials like stainless steel or quartz countertops alongside the characteristic wood of Shaker design.
Combine Shaker Cabinets With Other Styles
Shaker cabinet doors can also be combined with other styles to create a unique look. For example, you could pair shaker cabinets with glass doors to create a modern look. Or you could combine shaker cabinets with raised panel doors to create a traditional look.
Looking ahead into 2024, shaker cabinets still remain the most popular, but that isn't the only option. Flat-panel and inset styles are also making headlines. You can also mix-and-match styles for a truly custom look.
Trends in colour & finish
And while shaker style kitchens tended to favour painted surfaces, newer kitchen trends are focusing in on wood finishes. Natural grain patterns and deep rich wood tones add interest to flat doors, and give kitchens a warm, earthy and welcoming feel.
While Shaker cabinets fell out of fashion in the early 20th century, they experienced a resurgence in popularity in the 1950s, when Midcentury Modern designers began to embrace their minimalist style. Today, Shaker cabinets are once again trendy, and they are prized for their simple beauty and unfussy design.
Rather than being old-fashioned, Shaker is timeless. That's why it has proven so durable: never going out of style even as countless other kitchen trends have come and gone.
If your goal is to update the look of your existing cabinets, the cheapest route is to simply reface them.
Honey oak kitchen cabinets have taken a back seat over the years. However recently we've not only seen people renovating and incorporating their existing oak cabinets into modern design, but we've seen warm toned woods making a comeback in fresh new ways!
Grey kitchen cabinets are not out of style. Just because grey isn't in the top trends for 2024, doesn't mean it's out of style. Gray is a nice neutral that can be styled in a variety of ways. Talented kitchen designers are still using grey for their clients to create modern spaces.
Dark cabinets will be the focus in 2025, bringing unparalleled depth and drama to kitchens, bathrooms, and beyond. Shades of browns, deep reds, and even black are perfect for making a bold statement while exuding sophistication.
Cons of Shaker Kitchen Cabinets
Here are a few things that might make you think twice about investing in them: Simple Design: Shaker kitchen cabinets can be a bit “plain vanilla” – classic but maybe too simple. If you want fancy, shaker cabinets are not for you. They don't have intricate designs, patterns, or styles.
Shaker Kitchens & Modern Design
Many people associate shaker as a traditional style; after all, it is named after a mid-19th-century religious sect called The Shaking Quakers. However, the style's simplicity, craftsmanship and minimalism make it easily modernised.
Alongside classic White, explore cool tones such as Porcelain and Dove Grey for a fresh, contemporary look. Alternatively, Stone, Mussel and Taupe Grey for a warmer, more cosy feel. Embracing Natural tones can provide a feeling of comfort and cosiness, whilst also having a timeless style.
White is the most timeless cabinet color of all, with popularity dating back over half a century. It's hard to beat the crisp, clean beauty of bright white cabinets. They lighten the entire room and lend a refreshing, airy feel.
You could put glass fronts in several of the upper cabinets so it is not so much honey oak. paint and new hardware! I put glass fronts on some of my cabinets and also had the back of them tiled to match the backsplash. Painting them would also work, but I had the same cabinetry throughout the house.
Oak kitchen cabinets is one of the hottest kitchen design trends in 2024. Design experts confidently assert that oak kitchen cabinets have made a comeback in current kitchen trends. Pictured here are the Vicenza oak kitchen cabinets by Schröder Küchen, Germany.
Yes, cabinet refacing is worth it if you want to improve the look of your kitchen without spending too much money. Refacing can save you up to 25% – 50% of the cost of replacing cabinets and can be done in a much shorter time frame than fully replacing all cabinets.
According to the National Association of Realtors, a kitchen remodel is one of the top three home improvement projects with the highest returns on investment. This is because potential buyers are willing to pay more for a move-in ready home with an updated and modern kitchen.
Use bold colours
Traditional Shaker kitchens feature decorated furniture in shades of blue, green, red and yellow, while neutral shades like grey and cream are also popular. Bold colours will instantly modernise a Shaker kitchen and draw attention to the cabinetry, as seen in our green Shaker kitchen.
The shaker cabinet style has long been a favorite in kitchen design for its simplicity and versatility. It stands as one of the kitchen design trends this 2024, and we are seeing the emergence of the slim shaker cabinet style, which offers a modern twist on this classic design.