In the 18th Century, a religious movement that was an offshoot of Quakers started. Calling themselves Shakers, or Shaker Quakers, they quickly developed a reputation for living up to their name by shaking during religious ceremonies. They eventually settled in America, where they began to develop their own very distinct style of design and carpentry. This style is currently seen in many homes in what are known as shaker kitchens.
What Is The Style Of Shaker Kitchens?
Shaker kitchens can be described as being very simple and utilitarian. The philosophy of the design of shaker kitchens and other things they designed was to use the highest possible levels of workmanship while making the most of purer, simple lines that did not contain any ornamentation. Shaker kitchens were designed to be simple, durable and useful. Their design in a way was very minimal, and you could almost say that some of Apple Computer’s designs were inspired by shaker style. Any kitchen that has been designed using this Shaker style, that draws its inspiration from high levels of craftsmanship as well as simplicity and minimalism will be considered to be a shaker kitchen.
How Do You Make Your Kitchen Look Like Shaker Kitchens?
Remember that shaker kitchens feature design that is very straightforward and simple. You will not be going after any fancy ornamental things in your kitchen if you want it to fit into the Shaker kitchen mould. You can add panelled doors as well as warm wooden surfaces if you want to create a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere, but make sure you stay far away from fancy mouldings and pillars if you want the style to work. One simple way to get your kitchen to fit into the Shaker style is to use a peg rail. A simple wooden rail that has evenly spaced pegs will help you avoid clutter on your floors and fits into the simple and minimal look that you wish to achieve.
When it comes to choosing the wood that you will use in your kitchen, to get the Shaker kitchen look, you will want to stick to natural woods such as cheery, maple, and pine. These are the favourite styles in shaker kitchens. For your kitchen’s colour pallet, you will want to stick to light and muted colours. This will allow you to create an agricultural, country feel that will be quite serene. Greens, greys, blues and cream colours all work very well in shaker kitchens and any kitchen that uses this style will also have oversized wooden knobs, but using smaller and more understated knobs can also be quite effective in giving your kitchen the look you desire. It is also possible to purchase pre-made shaker kitchen tops to achieve the desired effect.
Shaker kitchens are a great alternative to ornamental designs. If you want to create a minimal look in your kitchen, they make a perfect choice.