The Shakers are a religious group present in England and America from the 18th Century onwards. Originally part of the Quaker movement they branched off to become their own group famous for their pious lifestyle and beautifully made but simple furniture. It is this style of furniture that is still popular today in the form of a shaker kitchen. You can find out all about how to recreate it in your own home in the post below.
This is a collaborative post.
Add an island
Kitchen islands are incredibly popular right now, and part of this is because of the current trend towards shaker-style kitchens. However, an island can also be a very useful practical addition as it offers extra space that you can use for preparation when cooking sitting and dining come dinner time.
When choosing the type of island you will install in your kitchen you need to think carefully about the size. This is because an island that is too big will rob you of other functional space. However, an island that is too small, might not be fit for purpose and so will go unused. It’s best to think about the functions that you need your island to perform and then customise the size with that in mind.
Choose in-frame cabinets
One of the most vital aspects of the shaker-style kitchen is the type of cabinets you use. You’ll especially want to look for in frame kitchens because these have cabinets where the doors are flush within a solid frame. It is these types of doors that are also known as shaker cabinets or farmhouse carbonates and that will give you that rustic look.
Opt for muted colours
For a shaker-style kitchen, you’ll want to embrace more muted colours like duck egg blue, sage green and cream. This is because historically shaker furniture would not be painted in bright colours, so it will provide a more authentic look.
Muted colours also give off a more relaxed, antique farmhouse feel which is what many people are looking for when they invest in this type of kitchen.
Choose floors with a natural finish
Kitchen flooring is always an important choice because it needs to be waterproof and hard-wearing. When putting in a shaker-style kitchen you will also need to think about the type of floor that will best match the country feel, and usually, that means floors with a natural finish like hardwood, stone, or brick.
However, if these kinds of following are out of your price range, you could always opt for something like a linoleum floor that is designed to look as if it’s made from natural materials.
Add shabby chic details
Last of all, you’ll want to make sure that you accessorise your kitchen in the right way. The way to go about this is to think shabby chic or farmhouse chic. The idea is that if whatever you are looking at would look at home in a farmhouse or Amish kitchen then it’s a good fit.
Examples of these kinds of items may be tablecloths made from gingham fabric or with delicate lace borders. Kilner jars for storage with metal tops, and old kitchen or farming utensils, preferably displayed by hanging from a rack over your island. Dried flowers can be a great addition too especially if you have a beam on which you can add a swag.