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Shaker Cabinets: The Best Choice for Your LA Home

Updated: Nov 23, 2022

The Shaker style cabinet is an affordable and iconic option for your Los Angeles kitchen renovation.



Shaker Cabinets In Rustic Kitchen
Shaker Cabinets in Rustic Kitchen

You’ve likely been around Shaker-style cabinets your entire life—and for good reason! This style is the chameleon of cabinetry, found in kitchens of nearly every aesthetic: From modern to farmhouse, and contemporary to retro. Dating back to the early 1700’s, this cabinet has cemented its place as a trend-proof, timeless design. Take a look through any number of Los Angeles homes and you’ll find various offshoots of the Shaker cabinet. But why has the Shaker cabinet maintained such a long-term popularity? This uncontested staying-power comes from its top three selling points:


  • Versatility

  • Longevity

  • Affordability


A budget-friendly cabinet that can adapt to any look and doesn’t go out of style? It’s no wonder the Shaker cabinet is one of the most prevailing options in the kitchen. Regardless of how you’re looking to renovate your Los Angeles home (or what your budget may be), the Shaker cabinet is an ideal and iconic choice for any kind of kitchen.


What Is A Shaker Cabinet?


So, how do you identify a Shaker cabinet, exactly? Pretty easily! The Shaker style cabinet boasts a simple, classic design—A five-piece construction featuring:


  • Two vertical wood pieces (stiles)

  • Two horizontal wood pieces (rails)

  • A recessed center panel


That’s it! You’ve seen it a million times in a million homes (LA or otherwise), and presented in a vast array of refreshing styles. The Shaker cabinet is primarily about practicality. It is notoriously free of frills, opting for an intentionally simple, uncluttered appearance. With utility and modesty in mind, this clean look appeals to homeowners of all ages, on any budget.


Although the basic construction of the Shaker cabinet is simple, the look of the cabinet can range drastically. Homeowners can make small alterations to the Shaker cabinet that produce understated but effective visual changes to match the vision for any kitchen design. A simple change of hardware and paint color can transform a cabinet. Even the proportions of the rails or stiles can be altered to achieve a unique design. The Shaker cabinet stays true to the fundamental tenets of the community that created the design.

Who Were The Shakers?

The Shaker-style cabinet is famously named after The Shakers. The Shakers were a religious offshoot from the Quaker community (yes, like the oats) who immigrated to the US in the 1730’s. They were so named because their form of worship involved dance and joyful movement—they were cool! The Shakers were a socially progressive community of makers who took pride in self-sustaining: Growing their own food, constructing their own buildings, and manufacturing their own goods.


The Shakers became famous for their modest and structure-first furniture. The idea of “extra” was not in their wheelhouse—the Shakers valued humble authenticity. Their guiding principles of honesty, utility, and humility extended to the manufacturing of their goods. The Shakers were all about authenticity and function. Craftsmen focused on form, structure, and modesty in their furnishings. Ornament for ornament’s sake was seen as deceitful, and prideful (pretty interesting way to look at it) so visual interest was only implemented if it could be of some usefulness. Stylish and efficient—not a bad gig!



Why You Should Choose the Shaker Cabinet

Earlier we mentioned three reasons why the Shaker cabinet has survived the test of time. But just how do these reasons hold up? Here’s the scoop.


Versatility

Fads move fast in Los Angeles, and the Shaker cabinet is a faithful friend to renovations. The absence of excessive ornamentation is what gives the Shaker cabinet its impressive design versatility. It’s neutral enough that you can treat it like a blank slate—easy to alter, adjust, and optimize. It can make itself at home in every kind of kitchen. Small alterations (like unique hardware and a fresh coat of paint) transform this cabinetry into any kind of look. You’ve got a farmhouse style going on? Got it. Something modern? No problem. Retro? Check. French??? You got it, monsieur. The Shaker cabinet is an awesome choice for the homeowner that likes keeping up with the Joneses.


Longevity

If it hasn’t gone out of style since the 1700’s, it’s not going out of style anytime soon. Because it can go through countless facelifts, it can live on from decade to decade and from homeowner to homeowner—regardless of the design of the kitchen. The Shaker cabinet is trend-proof, and its flat, smooth design means no tricky grooves where dust and dirt can get stuck (making upkeep a breeze and keeping wear to a minimum). The Shaker cabinet can support update upon update, whatever that may look like.


Affordability

The Shaker cabinet’s affordability lies in its return on investment. Besides being one of the more budget-friendly options, Shaker cabinets put money back in your pocket because of their versatility and longevity. Since shaker cabinets won’t age out of style as the years go by and can easily be updated to sport virtually any look, you won’t need to replace these cabinets between homeowners or from one decade to the next. The cost of an updated look flails in comparison to a complete reinstallation.



Interested In The Shaker Cabinet?

Whether you are looking for a full renovation or a smaller update to refresh your kitchen, the Shaker-style cabinet promises the best overall value. The straight-forward, no-nonsense design equips the Shaker cabinet with numerous long-term benefits without any major limitations.


Much like the Shaker cabinet, we believe that function and beauty should go hand in hand. We’re a locally owned California business: Since 2009 Heartland Builders has been helping homeowners construct the kitchens of their dreams. Our experts are ready to make a free in-home consultation for your cabinet installation.


If you’re interested in making your kitchen remodel a reality, our team of architects, designers, and contractors are ready to help you. We service all parts of Los Angeles, San Fernando Valley, Ventura, and Orange County. Call us at (323)591-0001 to ask for a quote or to schedule an in-home consultation at no cost to you.


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