If you are looking for Shaker kitchens in Wirral, you are definitely in the right place. This blog post looks at Shaker kitchens, their distinctive appearance, and where they get their name. 

Where does the name “Shaker” come from?

The Shakers are a religious group founded in 1783 in England that were originally part of the Quakers. They became known as the Shakers because they were considered “Shaking Quakers” due to their restless way of worshipping. However, their official name is The United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearance. Unfortunately, they were subjected to religious persecution, so they fled to the United States. 

The Shakers believe in equality of the races and sexes and are pacifists in favour of communal property ownership. But due to their strong belief in celibacy, their numbers have significantly dropped over the years. 

What are Shaker kitchens?

Shaker kitchens are characterised by a minimalist design with recessed panel doors and a lack of decoration. The focus is on craftsmanship and practical design, with wooden cabinets with dovetail joints. They have simple lines with an understated elegance that has lasted throughout the years. 

This simple design, with practicality in mind, is deliberately modest because the Shakers needed to create furniture from bare essentials, free from unnecessary embellishments or accessories. Due to this lack of fussiness, you will surely be able to find a Shaker kitchen to suit any home and fit any budget.

The traditional approach to craftsmanship

Creating something was a form of meditative prayer for the Shakers. The philosophy was that utility is beauty and that adding unneeded decorations or features would be a form of self-indulgence. 

And yet, they were rather fond of dancing, which is another reason their creations were so simple. They liked furniture that was lightweight and easy to move about. This could explain why turned and tapered legs are a particular feature of Shaker furniture.

The Shaker style still lives on

Because the Shakers were so focused on practicality, they invented several things that are still used to this day—for example, the flat-faced broom and the spring-loaded clothes peg.

Shaker items were designed for their intended purpose without any unnecessary additional details. This resulted in extremely detailed joinery with precision craftsmanship. The resulting Shaker kitchens came to be known as unassuming and sleek yet entirely practical.

Shaker kitchens were initially created many years ago but have since developed beyond their humble origins. If you search the web, you will undoubtedly find many images of Shaker kitchens. So it seems that many people do prefer the elegant yet simple and practical kitchens that the Shaker style provides. 

For Shaker kitchens in Wirral, look no further than Mayfair Kitchens. We have over 30 years of experience in designing and fitting kitchens, so you can be sure you are in safe hands with us. We are confident that you will find a Shaker kitchen that perfectly fits your home. So visit our Wirral showroom or contact us to get started today.

Are you looking for Shaker kitchens in Chester? If so, look no further because that’s what we are talking about today. Here we look at what gives Shaker kitchens their distinctive minimalistic yet functional appearance.

The Shaker look

Originally, Shaker kitchens were crafted from the highest quality inexpensive wood they could find. This was often pine or fruit tree, which gave their furniture that unmistakable light wood appearance. But these days, the cabinets featured in modern Shaker kitchens can use almost any type of wood and other materials.

Shaker kitchen cabinets

Shaker kitchen door frames are made with traditional dovetail joints, and the doors do not feature any adornment. They have just four wide frame pieces and a central flat panel. Originally, these doors would have only been treated with oil. These days, the cabinets will also be painted or stained. 

And if you are a fan of colourful environments, you can still have a Shaker kitchen. Modern shaker kitchens are available in all the colours of the rainbow. Depending on the appearance of the rest of your home, your kitchen cabinets could have a traditional or contemporary look. It’s really up to you.

Shaker handles

Originally, the handles and pulls on the drawers in Shaker kitchens were crafted from the same wood as the rest of it. This was because they considered metal handles too much of an elaborate addition to an otherwise simple design. So, it’s best to have minimal handles on your cabinets if you want to stick to a pure Shaker style.

Completing your Shaker kitchen

Because the lines on the cabinets are simple, they can fit easily into any kitchen style. Here are some suggestions for adding the finishing touches to your Shaker kitchen.

Adding some colour

Even though originally, Shaker kitchens were not painted, that doesn’t mean you cannot paint yours. Instead, bring the Shaker kitchen style into the 21st century by adding bold, deep colours. 

It can be good to add some contrast. For example, if you go for navy blue or black on your cabinets, why not have light grey countertops. Or you might want to do it the other way around and have light cabinets with darker countertops. Then you can add some additional warmth with some brass, wicker, and light wood.

Keeping a natural look

If you want to honour the original Shaker style, oak is a good choice of wood. Other good options include pine, walnut, cherry, or maple. If you are looking for a white Shaker kitchen, solid wooden tops can match well with white cabinets, giving it a pleasant country-style appearance.

Incorporating Shaker cabinets into a modern kitchen

Although the Shaker kitchen style has traditional roots, the Shaker style of cabinet can fit seamlessly into a modern kitchen design. One way to add a modern look to your kitchen is to have wrap-around solid surface countertops. Another way is to add contrast by adding white doors to your upper cabinets while keeping the lower cabinets dark.

We hope you found this article about Shaker kitchens helpful and informative. If you are looking for Shaker kitchens in Chester, look no further than Mayfair Kitchens. Our professional design team are here to guide you through every step of planning your new dream kitchen. Visit our Chester showroom or contact us to begin the process today.