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IKEA shaker cabinets – how to design a modern shaker kitchen?
It is possible to combine tradition and modernity using various elements of IKEA furniture. It is especially true in the case of the IKEA shaker cabinets. In this article, we invite you to join a tour of the history of kitchen design. We will discover together how to transform a modern kitchen into a comfortable, classical shaker kitchen, to enjoy all its simple beauty and functionality.
Where did the shaker kitchen originate?
In the 17th and 18th centuries, many religious groups from Europe emigrated to America. Quakers were among them. This pacifist branch of Christianity embraced simple living and hard work. But they were not boring by any means. Quakers practised ecstatic forms of meditation, during which they were shaking. That is the origin story of the “shaker” term. Besides uncommon religious practises they just led an honest, communal life, in which men and women were equal. The simple design of their homes and kitchens is one of the relics of that lifestyle.
Now many furniture producers refer to this style in some of their products. IKEA shaker cabinets are a Scandinavian interpretation of the famous Quaker’s home design.
What a typical shaker kitchen looks like?
Knowing some features of the shakers style can help anyone arrange their kitchen to match the IKEA shaker cabinets. Quakers used to paint their kitchens wall white, and they had their favourite colours to use for cabinets. These were red, dark blue or green and warm yellow. If you are designing your custom fronts for IKEA cabinets, you can pick one of those colours to create a real historical impression of the shaker kitchen of old. You can also pick any other colour. Natural wood or MDF painted white, pastel blue or mint will look as good as traditional Quaker’s colours.
It is also recommended to keep the whole design simple and practical. This is a selection from the many features of classic Scandinavian and shaker styles.
Now let’s see below what are the best IKEA shaker cabinets.
IKEA shaker cabinets – classic
This style is the simplest and less expensive version of IKEA shaker cabinets. Made of MDF board and treated with lacquer, they are neat and look traditional, but can look more modern with a few modifications. The rectangular frame is 7 cm wide which makes it look very balanced. You can combine that style with many additions, like brass furniture legs, brass plinth and all kinds of handles. If you prefer a more modern or even futuristic look, you can use handleless technology to open your cabinets, and don’t install handles at all.
IKEA shaker cabinets – classic max
The style called Classic Max combines the simplicity of Classic and a bit more fancy materials. It is made of MDF and natural-looking plywood with ash wood on the front. Whether painted with paint, stained or treated with clear lacquer, it always looks elegant and minimalistic at the same time. If you want to be faithful to shaker kitchen design, we recommend using a matte gloss finish. The final decision depends on your taste and needs, of course. You can choose semi-gloss or satin instead of a matte finish.
IKEA shaker cabinets – classic style
You can have more stylish IKEA shaker cabinets if you choose Classic Style. The main difference between this and Classic is the angle of the frame on the front. It may seem a subtle change, but it influences our perception of light and shadow on the cabinet front. It may also influence the perception of the colours.
Classic Style IKEA shaker cabinets are made of MDF boards and treated with Akzo Nobel lacquer. You can also paint them in any colour you choose.
How to arrange a traditional shaker kitchen?
As we mentioned earlier, there are some rules on how to arrange a traditional shaker kitchen. With IKEA shaker cabinets, you don’t have to stick to all of them. It is for you to decide how much of a classical design you want.
Speaking of colours: IKEA green kitchen may be a good option to follow. Whether it is a dark green referring to Quaker style or fashionable pale green, it will always look cosy and refreshing. You can also choose red paint. Dark red, almost like burgundy red, is one of the fashionable colours for the current year. It is also a variant of the colour used by the Quakers in their kitchen design.
Simple decoration and straight lines will perfectly complement that style. You may hang a pot rail on a wall. Although exposed pots are not very fashionable, they complement the appearance of a traditional shaker kitchen. If you have a big kitchen, you can even put a vertical pot rack somewhere.
For a more neat and modern looking version of shaker kitchen, you can use handleless cabinet doors and even hide kitchen appliances behind cabinet fronts.
Best colours for IKEA shaker cabinets
Now let us talk a bit about colours for IKEA shaker cabinets. Let’s see what other colours and shades will fit that design.
White is the most neutral one. It is also one of recommended colours of the season, particularly shaded, warm white. It fits perfectly to shakers kitchen style and can be applied on walls and cabinet fronts.
Using fashionable pastel and airy colours can be an interesting solution for a traditionally looking kitchen. Shaker cabinets will look soft and light with pastel pink or blue. You can also experiment with some yellows and greens.
Even seemingly warm pastels look somewhat cold. To make your shaker kitchen look cosier and grounded there is a whole palette of earthy colours, mostly shades of brown. Although they are not traditional Quakers’ choices, a few African hues with a traditional Scandinavian and American design could make an interesting combination.
Details that fit shaker kitchen
The simple kitchen doesn’t like too many details. But some little additions here and there can lift the whole appearance and emphasize a better side of the style. You can use furniture legs, instead of a plinth.
IKEA shaker cabinets look better on shorter legs. 17 cm should be enough. You can purchase them in the Noremax online store. We have a wide variety of colours and materials available there. For shaker-style, it is better to choose legs that are the same colour as cabinet fronts. The fewer fancy details, the better.
Natural materials used in the kitchen will be a formidable addition to the style. Copper pots, clay jugs and linen towels will add some personality to your shaker kitchen.
Did you know that mesh and glass fronts are also available in our store? Semi-transparent hanging cabinets are key to create that traditional kitchen appearance. You can further personalize the space by exposing some clay or porcelain dishes behind the glass.
Shelves are another way to show some kitchenware and decorations. You can choose between a simple one, attached flatly to a wall or hanging shelves. Simple shelves available at the Noremax store are made of 19 mm MDF and can be painted in a colour that fits the colour of cabinets. You can also use natural MDF or paint it brown to look like a piece of wood. To hang your shelves you can use comfortable and simple wall mountings.
You should also decide which style of handles you will choose. There are plenty of different pulls and knobs available in our store. Not every handle fits the shaker cabinet. In this case, we have to evoke the simplicity of the style. Round and ball-shaped knobs are the best choices. Many people also like to attach minimalistic pulls to the shaker cabinet doors.
Shaker kitchen island
The traditional shaker kitchen is as simple and minimalistic as possible. But in the modern kitchen, you can use classical cabinets in a new arrangement. Shaker cabinets are ideal when you want to build a kitchen island. They are modular, functional and can be easily rearranged.
Some people prefer to hang a pot rack above a kitchen island. It will look very nice with traditional cabinets. You can also combine open cabinets with shelves or mesh/glass doors.
IKEA shaker cabinets are timeless, that’s why you can use them to create a modern or traditional look. Using various colours and adding details, you can create hundreds of different variations of that style. Many required elements to design a perfect shaker kitchen are available on the Noremax website.
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