A religious community active in the 18th and 19th centuries in the US, the Shakers are famous for more than their vibrant church services. It is their iconic, rustic design style for which they are most well known today, and whether you call it ‘Shaker’ style or shabby chic you will definitely have seen this style of kitchen in interiors magazines and websites.
Indeed, the Shaker style has never been so popular, and the good news is you can craft your own kitchen after this iconic style. All you need to do is follow the suggestions below.
Adorn your ceilings with beams
Nothing says old-time cottage style like a ceiling with beams. The good news is that if you don’t live in a cottage dating all the way back to the 18th century you can fake this look successful even in a new home.
All you will need are some long thick sections of wood which can be fixed directly to your ceiling to create the illusion of beams. For extra ‘style points’ add ‘S’ hooks to the beams and hand your best copper pots and pans from the for a truly authentic Shaker look.
Pick the right cabinets
Cabinets are a crucial part of any Shaker-style kitchen remodel, so investing plenty of effort into getting them right is a good idea. Traditionally Shaker design honours natural materials such as wood, and would not hide things like wood grain with thick paint or varnish. This means that natural wood cabinets can work very well in a Shaker-style kitchen. Although if you do choose this route you will need to think about the type and tone of wood you use very carefully. Otherwise, if there is too much of it, it can easily overwhelm the rest of the space.
There is a more modern style Shaker option for cabinets to consider as well. These are cabinets that are built in the Shaker Style but are also covered with a matt coating, often in sage green or heritage blue color. While not strictly Shaker in style, such cabinets can be used in a more rustic style kitchen to effectively create a Shaker look, if they are styled correctly. They are also a lot more practical than natural wood cabinets as they are easier to keep clean and wipe down.
Make your walls look more rustic
Another way you can create a Shaker-style kitchen is to give your walls a rustic touch. There are two options here and the first is using Shiplap or Shiplap, style boards. Shiplap is a type of wooded board that overlap horizontally. They have a tongue-and-groove design that helps to create a tight seal between the boards and are particularly popular in the rustic, farmhouse, and coastal-inspired designs.
However, true Shiplap can be expensive and time-consuming to install, meaning it is an option out of many people’s reach. Fortunately, there are some other options like these white planks for wall that look just as good and are a breeze to install. Indeed, because they are real wooden planks with peel-and-stick backing you can get a very authentic look for a fraction of the price.
Invest in a Belfast sink
Not all sinks are made equal, especially when it comes to creating that rustic Shaker look. That may mean it’s time to ditch your stainless steel sink and drying rack and go for something more old-timey instead.
Indeed, it could be argued that the perfect sink for a Shaker-style kitchen is a Belfast sink. Those are the huge rectangle ones, made from white ceramic that you see in heritage homes, and the most stylish shabby chic kitchens.
Belfast sinks, are also easily deep so, although they take quite a lot of water to fill up, they can make washing up larger pots and pans much easier because of all that extra space.
Opt for a natural floor
The final finishing touch of any Shaker-style kitchen is the proper floor. Natural materials are very important here because the wrong flooring can really ruin the rustic illusion very fast. To that end, you may wish to consider investing in a stone floor. They are very robust, easy to clean, and will complement the wooden features of your kitchen perfectly.
Wooden floors can also work well. Especially if they are made from hardwood as they will fit the Shaker aesthetic. Additionally, hardwood floors will be more durable and so be able to withstand the high frequency of cleaning that a kitchen floor will require.
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