white shaker with a kitchen island

Shaker kitchen cabinet doors are one of the most popular door styles. They are simple and versatile, fitting effortlessly into any kitchen style. The style features a five-piece door with a recessed center panel.

Shaker Style Cabinet Door Styles

This can be adapted into modern kitchens or more traditional spaces. If you’re looking for inspiration for your next kitchen remodel, check out these shaker cabinet door styles and design tips.

Simple vs Detailed Cabinet Doors

Shaker-style cabinets have been around for hundreds of years and are a popular design choice thanks to their clean lines and classic looks. They also come in various colors and finishes and can complete your kitchen no matter what style you’re aiming for.

The Shaker cabinets are commonly found in modern, farmhouse, or Scandinavian-style kitchens, where clean, simple lines are welcome. However, by adding extra details, they can also be adapted for more traditional and transitional spaces.

Beadboard or decorative edging on the doors can adapt shaker cabinets into more traditional kitchen spaces. Crown molding above your cabinets instantly adds embellishment to the space.

Style Tips For Shaker Kitchens

How you choose to style your kitchen will depend on many factors, like the size of your space, the layout of your kitchen, and your personal taste. However, there are certain elements that really work with shaker cabinets, and you may want to incorporate them into your space.

For example, real wood is a staple in Shaker kitchens.

You can either leave the wood natural or paint it, particularly in white. This goes for the cabinet doors themselves and any free-standing furniture you might want to include in your kitchen. It also includes your kitchen island, which you can use to display decor items.

Hardware Choices for Shaker Style Cabinets

There are plenty of options for styling your shaker kitchen cabinets. Adding the right hardware is one of the most simple and effective ways to transform your cabinets.

Different knobs or pulls will transform your shaker cabinet doors and create a new and striking look. Here are some tips for choosing the right hardware for your shaker cabinets.

Bar Pulls Are a Classic Choice

Tubular bar pulls are the most popular choice for shaker kitchen cabinets. These sleek and simple pulls are as versatile as the cabinets themselves. The bars run parallel to the doors’ lines for visual symmetry. Silver is a popular choice for tubular pulls.

If you want your kitchen to look more modern or contemporary, opt for flat bar pulls instead of tubular pulls. Use them on both cabinet doors and drawers for a clean and consistent look.

Oil Rubbed Bronze Looks Best in Rustic Kitchens

If you are creating a farmhouse or rustic-inspired kitchen, you should steer away from chrome or stainless steel finishes and choose something that has more of an unpolished feel.

Oil-rubbed bronze is the best finish for these kitchens and can look beautiful when paired with white shaker cabinets. You can alternate between cup pulls and cabinet latches to create a unique look or stick to one style throughout the space.

Create an Elegant Look Using Glass Knobs

If you’re aiming to create a more traditional kitchen, you might want to opt for glass knobs. These are elegant and also have a vintage appeal.

Acrylic knobs will give you the same look but are more durable and often more affordable than glass. You might want to also try knobs that are more detailed and showy.

With simple shaker-style cabinets, a flashy piece of hardware can truly steal the show without making your kitchen look too fussy or gaudy.

You Can Skip Hardware All Together

If you’re looking for a truly minimal style for your kitchen, you might want to forgo hardware completely! This will give you the cleanest design possible, perfect for modern minimalist kitchens, particularly Scandinavian-style homes.

Instead of hardware, you can install magnetic strips inside the cabinets that hold them closed.

Best Colors for Painted Shaker Cabinets

While shaker-style kitchen cabinets are often left in their natural wood finish, many homeowners like to paint them to create unique kitchen appearances. Some of the most popular colors to paint cabinets are neutral shades, like white, grey, or black.

White Popularity

White is the most popular cabinet color, and it has been for several years now! People love white shaker cabinets because they tend to brighten up the space. White reflects light and creates the illusion of larger rooms, which can help small or dark kitchens.

In addition, White can work with modern kitchen designs and farmhouse kitchens, another popular home trend.

In farmhouse kitchens, you might want a more faded or off-white shade to make the home look lived-in, while a modern kitchen might opt for a pure white cabinet in a glossy lacquer for an extra-sleek look.

The Timeless Grey

Grey is an emerging trend in home decor, particularly with kitchen cabinets. This color is a perfect alternative for those who like the neutrality of white kitchens but don’t want it to look as stark or clinical.

Grey shaker cabinets can be warm-toned or cool-toned, light or dark, making them a truly versatile choice.

The Black Cabinet Trend

Black cabinets have a look that won’t work in every home, but they can look elegant and dramatic when pulled off properly. Glossy or matte finishes bring extra attention to the dark and dramatic cabinets, but if you’re worried about doing too much, you can start with two-toned cabinets.

This trend allows you to play with color or create more dramatic looks without overwhelming your kitchen. For example, you can paint your lower cabinets black and the uppers white for a simple, contrasted look that is perfect for modern kitchens.

Two-toned cabinets also work in grey or even shades of blue or green, particularly in Scandinavian-style kitchens. A pop of color on your lower cabinets is just enough to create visual interest and create a truly unique space.

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Sunny C.
Sunny is a seasoned writer and home improvement enthusiast with a knack for creating engaging and informative content. Her extensive experience in the industry allows her to provide readers with practical tips and innovative design ideas. Sunny's articles are known for their clarity and creativity, making them a favorite among homeowners looking to improve their spaces. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening and exploring sustainable living practices.