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WHAT ARE SHAKER-STYLE CABINETS?

April 11, 2023 · BY: WOLF HOME PRODUCTS

u003cpu003eu003cstrongu003eIN THIS BLOG…u003c/strongu003eu003c/pu003ernu003colu003erntu003cliu003eu003ca href=u0022https://www.wolfhomeproducts.com/blog/what-are-shaker-style-cabinets/#whatu0022u003eWHAT ARE SHAKER CABINETS?u003c/au003eu003c/liu003erntu003cliu003eu003ca href=u0022https://www.wolfhomeproducts.com/blog/what-are-shaker-style-cabinets/#benefitsu0022u003eBENEFITS OF SHAKER STYLE CABINETSu003c/au003eu003c/liu003erntu003cliu003eu003ca href=u0022https://www.wolfhomeproducts.com/blog/what-are-shaker-style-cabinets/#typesu0022u003eTYPES OF SHAKER CABINETSu003c/au003eu003c/liu003ernu003c/olu003ernu003cpu003eShaker-style cabinets get their name from the Shakers, otherwise known as the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing. Today, there aren’t many Shakers left — only u003ca href=u0022https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/shak/hd_shak.htmu0022u003eone Shaker community remainsu003c/au003e. But their furniture has had a lasting effect. The hallmark of Shaker furniture is its simplistic look, using local American woods like pine or maple and doing without veneers, inlays or carving. Shakers thought this simplicity made the furniture honest. Shaker furniture is now on display as memorabilia in historical museums across the country, the Metropolitan included. u003c/pu003ernu003cpu003eHowever, designers, architects and homeowners alike still have a great appreciation for Shaker furniture. They demonstrate this through Shaker-style furniture, a near-replica of original Shaker furniture. Shaker-style cabinetry, especially, are desirable for many people who have any investment in interior design. Clean lines are the first thing that comes to mind when you think about Shaker-style cabinets, and flexibility is the second. An affection for Shaker-style cabinets comes less from their straightforward construction, and more from their uninvolved charm. u003c/pu003ernu003ch2u003eu003ca id=u0022whatu0022u003eu003c/au003eWHAT ARE SHAKER CABINETS?u003c/h2u003ernu003cpu003eu003ca href=u0022https://www.wolfhomeproducts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/01-What-are-shaker-cabinets.jpgu0022u003eu003cimg class=u0022alignnone size-full wp-image-22299u0022 src=u0022https://www.wolfhomeproducts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/01-What-are-shaker-cabinets.jpgu0022 alt=u0022u0022 width=u00221200u0022 height=u0022628u0022 /u003eu003c/au003eu003c/pu003ernu003cpu003eShaker cabinets are best known for their boxy look — rectangular, to be exact. Imagine a slab of wood in the shape of a rectangle. Within it, picture another rectangle engraved inside, but only slightly smaller. The overall appearance is a four-cornered frame with an inset panel. Any curves are gentle, and most lines are straight. The formal name for the panel-and-frame structure of a Shaker cabinet is rail-and-stile construction. The rail represents the inset panel’s width-side overlay, and the stile refers to the length-side overlay. Together, a Shaker cabinet has five pieces — the panel, two stiles and two rails. u003c/pu003ernu003cpu003eYou might have heard the terms Mission cabinets and Shaker cabinets used interchangeably, although there is a distinction. While Shaker cabinets originated in 1774, Mission cabinets came along much later, at the end of the 19th century. The Arts u0026amp; Crafts movement prompted the design of Mission cabinets. Handcraftsmanship defined this movement, which differed from the Shakers in this way. Mission-style furniture is oak, emphasizing flat planes that bring attention to the wood grain. For this reason, Mission cabinets usually have a heavier look, whereas Shaker cabinets come off as delicate. u003c/pu003ernu003ch2u003eu003ca id=u0022benefitsu0022u003eu003c/au003eBENEFITS OF SHAKER STYLE CABINETSu003c/h2u003ernu003cpu003eu003cimg class=u0022size-full wp-image-40224 aligncenteru0022 src=u0022https://www.wolfhomeproducts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/shaker-style-cabinets-mg-rev1-scaled.jpgu0022 alt=u0022shaker style cabinet benefitsu0022 width=u0022813u0022 height=u00222560u0022 /u003eu003c/pu003ernu003cpu003eShaker cabinets have a versatile use in the home, but Shaker-style kitchen cabinets seem to be their most cherished use. The cabinets can give the kitchen a cleaner, less cluttered look. Most of all, homeowners like the timeless effect of Shaker cabinets. If you feel the need to remodel, there is one less thing to think about. Shaker cabinets don’t feel outdated. A simple color change — from unfinished wood to black or gray — can give Shaker cabinets a more modern look. The style of Shaker cabinets also prizes repetition. If you decide to use Shaker cabinets in your home, having all your drawers and cabinets in the same style ensures a clean, consistent look. u003c/pu003ernu003cpu003eIn addition to all their other perks, Shaker-style cabinets also happen to be economical. When you compare Shaker cabinets to other furniture styles, they are cheaper overall because of their ease of construction. Since there are many ways to reflect the character of Shaker cabinets in the way you adorn them, you can choose to customize the cabinets to your liking or leave them as is. Either way, they’ll maintain their functional use.u003c/pu003ernu003ch2u003eu003ca id=u0022typesu0022u003eu003c/au003eTYPES OF SHAKER CABINETSu003c/h2u003ernu003cpu003eThe unfettered look of Shaker cabinets allows for a diverse range of stylistic techniques to personalize them. Shakers themselves made u003ca href=u0022https://www.remodelormove.com/shaker-cabinets/u0022u003emany variations to the original styleu003c/au003e in the 1800s. Their popularity in the community made it essential to tailor the cabinets for individual taste. Sometimes, this meant dividing the section into smaller pieces, termed mid-rails or mid-stiles. However, there are countless other ways to alter the look of your cabinets, whether Shaker or otherwise.u003c/pu003ernu003ch3u003eCABINET CONSTRUCTIONu003c/h3u003ernu003cpu003eu003ca href=u0022https://www.wolfhomeproducts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/02-Cabinet-construction.jpgu0022u003eu003cimg class=u0022alignnone size-full wp-image-22300u0022 src=u0022https://www.wolfhomeproducts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/02-Cabinet-construction.jpgu0022 alt=u0022u0022 width=u00221200u0022 height=u0022628u0022 /u003eu003c/au003eu003c/pu003ernu003cpu003eCabinets, in general, have three main structural styles — inset, partial overlay or full overlay. The construction of the cabinets alone affects the look and functionality of the piece. Here’s a look at the different Shaker cabinet structure styles.u003c/pu003ernu003culu003erntu003cliu003eu003cstrongu003eInset: u003c/strongu003eInset cabinets sit within a frame that surrounds the five-piece structure. This feature is typical of British kitchens. The design increases the stability of the cabinets as the frame grounds them to the floor. u003c/liu003erntu003cliu003eu003cstrongu003ePartial overlay: u003c/strongu003eCabinets with a partial overlay have a small gap between the cabinet doors. The framing and gaps mean no internal hardware is necessary to open the cabinets, which reduces costs. On the other hand, if you want a completely flat appearance for your cabinetry, an inset or full-overlay cabinet may be a better option. This design is most common in American homes. u003c/liu003erntu003cliu003eu003cstrongu003eFull overlay:u003c/strongu003e With a full overlay, cabinet doors cover the cabinetry face, meaning no raised edges. People tend to like this aesthetic the most. Its construction also provides about an extra inch of space for the cabinet itself, since the cabinet doors don’t rely on actual cabinet space to close. Full-overlay cabinets typically don’t have frames. u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernu003cpu003eYou should also consider the type of edge you want in your kitchen cabinets. The following Shaker cabinets have a beveled edge, which can help you achieve a unique look for your kitchen.u003c/pu003ernu003culu003erntu003cliu003eu003cstrongu003eBerwyn:u003c/strongu003e These full-overlay cabinets combine elegance and tradition. Berwyn Shaker cabinets feature an attractive outer edge with a recessed center panel. Get them exclusively in our Opal paint, which contains pigments of warm white and gray. u003c/liu003erntu003cliu003eu003cstrongu003eYork: u003c/strongu003eThe beveled edges of our York Shaker cabinets accent their clean lines and classic finishes, available in both stain and paint. You can find the perfect look for your kitchen. u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernu003cpu003e• u003cstrongu003eLivingston: u003c/strongu003eBe ready for anything life throws your way with our Livingston Shaker cabinets. Enjoy the elegance of a beveled edge with incredible durability thanks to our SmartShield™ Technology. In the next section, we’ll take a closer look at the different cabinet finishes and the benefits they can offer you. u003c/pu003ernu003ch3u003eCABINET FINISHINGSu003c/h3u003ernu003cpu003eOnce you’ve decided on your cabinets’ construction, you can use the followingu003cbu003e u003c/bu003efinishing techniques to moderately change their appearance.u003c/pu003ernu003culu003erntu003cliu003eu003cstrongu003ePaint:u003c/strongu003e Painting the cabinets will give them a more modern or contemporary look. u003ca href=u0022https://www.wolfhomeproducts.com/blog/choosing-the-perfect-shade-of-white-for-your-kitchen/u0022u003eWhite cabinetsu003c/au003e look elegant, while blue ones look chic. Gray cabinets extend a neutral tone. u003c/liu003erntu003cliu003eu003cstrongu003eSmartShield:u003c/strongu003e Cover your cabinets in a laminate wrapping to create a seamless surface with a smooth, consistent color. This finishing option will make your cabinets more durable and easier to keep clean. Enjoy the look of paint and the durability of laminate by choosing SmartShield as your cabinets’ finish. u003c/liu003erntu003cliu003eu003cstrongu003ePolyurethane: u003c/strongu003ePolyurethane is a translucent polymer base that deepens the natural color of wood. Think of polyurethane as liquid plastic bringing a glossy edge to your cabinets. u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernu003ch3u003eCABINET STYLESu003c/h3u003ernu003cpu003eu003ca href=u0022https://www.wolfhomeproducts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/03-Cabinet-styles.jpgu0022u003eu003cimg class=u0022alignnone size-full wp-image-22298u0022 src=u0022https://www.wolfhomeproducts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/03-Cabinet-styles.jpgu0022 alt=u0022u0022 width=u00221200u0022 height=u0022628u0022 /u003eu003c/au003eu003c/pu003ernu003cpu003eOver time, the need to modernize and adapt Shaker cabinets for the different uses inside a home has resulted in the following approaches.u003c/pu003ernu003culu003erntu003cliu003eu003cstrongu003eTraditional: u003c/strongu003eThe traditional look is somewhat self-explanatory. This cabinet style aims to stay true to the original Shaker aesthetic and is thus immediately recognizable. These cabinets will have beveled edges and a very light wood finish, if not a more rustic glaze.u003c/liu003erntu003cliu003eu003cstrongu003eTransitional: u003c/strongu003eThese designs mix a modern feel with the traditional look of Shaker-style cabinets. To do this, designers or homeowners will combine dark and light tones. They may also add some natural textures for an authentic feel. u003c/liu003erntu003cliu003eu003cstrongu003eModern: u003c/strongu003eModern styles seek a polished look. More people lean toward this style when choosing Shaker cabinets. The idea is to maintain a minimalist presentation with the cabinets and add other furniture like the countertop or flooring accordingly. u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernu003ch2u003eWOLF HOME PRODUCTS: YOUR SOURCE FOR SHAKER CABINETRYu003c/h2u003ernu003cpu003eInstalling Shaker-style cabinets in your home will develop the ambiance of your living quarters for the better. Shaker-style cabinets let you fashion your domestic arrangements uniquely, but with an aura of simplicity. You’ll not only change the look of your home, but also how you feel: uncomplicated and free. u003c/pu003ernu003cpu003eWolf Home Products can play a central role in furnishing your home with your priorities in mind. We have premium products backed by industry-leading warranties. Wolf Classic has the u003ca href=u0022https://www.wolfhomeproducts.com/toolbox-home/kitchen-and-bath/wolf-classic/u0022u003eright cabinetry for youu003c/au003e, be it Shaker cabinets or something more fine-tuned to your taste. Like the Shakers, we handcraft our cabinets with generations of expertise. u003ca href=u0022https://www.wolfhomeproducts.com/where-to-buy/u0022u003eFind a dealeru003c/au003e, and we’ll fulfill your needs.u003c/pu003e

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