The shaker kitchen is a timeless and popular design. It is the ultimate design chameleon; characterised by clean lines and a recessed flat-panel door, it offers a look that is neither too ornate nor too minimal. This enduring style is the UK's favourite cabinet choice, providing the perfect canvas for almost any aesthetic; from cosy country homes to sleek, contemporary apartments.
Here is your guide on how to create a kitchen using shaker cabinets and the diverse design styles you can achieve, flawlessly finished with quality Caesarstone worktops.
How to create your shaker kitchen foundation
Creating a shaker-style kitchen is about honouring the core principles of simplicity and functionality. The cabinet door - a square framed design with a flat inset centre panel - is the hero.
Focus on form and function
Traditional shaker-style kitchens start with a philosophy that every item should have a purpose. So, for a traditional shaker kitchen, translate this into your design by focusing on integrated appliances and clever storage solutions. Consider full-height pantry cupboards, integrated fridge-freezers and large, functional kitchen islands to keep the space clutter-free and maintain the clean, streamlined look.
Choose your colour palette
While the traditional shaker kitchen favoured natural wood or muted, earthy tones (cream, light grey, sage green), the modern shaker-style kitchens embrace depth and personality.
Case Study: A timeless family hub by Mowlem & Co, crafted with Caesarstone for enduring elegance
For a classic look, opt for cabinets in soft whites, dove greys or gentle creams to create a light and airy feel. These can then be topped with a complementary white or grey worktop such as 5115 Calacatta Stillstorm or 503 Circa for a clean, fresh look. For example, in this timeless family hub, 5141 Frosty Carrina sits on shaker-style cabinetry, painted in a light grey tone to create a sophisticated and contemporary feel.
Case Study: The ultimate chef’s kitchen – Mandy Miller Simmonds’ dream space
Or, for a more daring look, be bold with dramatic hues like deep navy blue, forest green or even a striking matte black. For chef and content creator Mandy Miller Simmonds, she wanted a blend of practicality, durability and aesthetics. So, Mandy chose to pair 5031 Statuario Maximus to balance her gorgeous dark green shaker cabinetry to reflect the property’s heritage, while contemporary elements bring a fresh, functional feel.
Case Study: A heartfelt home transformation in West Yorkshire
A popular trend is the two-tone approach, using a darker colour on base units and a lighter shade on wall units or the island to add visual interest. Or, as in this West Yorkshire family home, the two-toned approach works wonderfully using the classic shaker-style cabinetry in a pale greige hue, alongside the striking dark grey island.
Define the details
The choice of hardware is perhaps the easiest way to shift the shaker style from traditional to modern. For a traditional look, consider classic wooden knobs, cup handles in aged brass or pewter, or drop bar handles.
For a modern feel to your shaker kitchen, opt for long, sleek bar pulls in stainless steel, chrome or matte black. For an ultra-contemporary edge, consider a handleless shaker design where the door’s profile allows it to be opened without visible hardware.
Did you know… The "Shaker" style is actually rooted in the 18th-century Shaker religious community. They stripped away the ornate carvings popular in that era in favour of honest craftsmanship and simplicity, a philosophy that accidentally created a design classic that hasn't gone out of style in over 200 years.
Design styles to achieve with shaker cabinets
The versatility of the shaker door means it can be adapted to fit three distinct interior styles.
The classic & traditional shaker
This style embraces comfort, quality and timeless elegance. The colour palette tends to be soft and neutral, allowing the quality of the craftsmanship to shine. Also consider using detailed cornices and plinths throughout your space, as well as a Belfast or butler sink and open shelving styled with ceramics and glassware.
To maintain the authentic, soft aesthetic, pair your cabinets with worktops that capture the essence of natural materials but offer luxury and superior durability. Look for bright, marble-inspired designs with subtle veining or warm, light neutrals. For example, 4141 Misty Carrera is the ideal serene, simple backdrop for your shaker-style kitchen, or choose the classic marble-inspired pattern of 5131 Calacatta Nuvo for a touch of timeless sophistication.
Case Study: A calm, timeless kitchen in a heritage home
In this heritage home in the Derbyshire countryside, this open-plan kitchen was designed to evolve with its owners’ lifestyle while staying true to the property’s character. The homeowners chose Caesarstone’s 4043 Primordia to sit alongside their bespoke Chiselwood cabinetry to add depth and character to the space.
The modern & contemporary shaker
A modern shaker kitchen uses the clean lines of the cabinet door to enhance a minimalist and architectural design. This style often introduces dark or vibrant colours for cabinetry, industrial accents like sleek metal hardware and high-tech appliances. You could also consider introducing a striking kitchen island with a waterfall end, where the worktop flows vertically down the sides.
If you’re choosing dark or vibrant cabinetry, we recommend choosing a contrasting worktop. Pair dramatic cabinet colours (e.g., navy or green) with clean, crisp surfaces, like 5031 Statuario Maximus, which offers perfect contrast against dark cabinetry. Or, for an urban, industrial look, use a subtly textured worktop such as 4011 Cloudburst Concrete.
Case Study: Striking design meets family living in a Surrey kitchen transformation
In this Surrey home, creating a kitchen that seamlessly blends refined elegance, functionality and a warm, welcoming atmosphere was key to the entire design. It brings together modern design and living, but with a timeless feel. To create this space, the family chose 6046 Moorland Fog along with elegant pendant lights above the island, contemporary minimalist bar stools and a striking brick wall, to bring a fresh, modern twist to the enduring appeal of Inky Sky blue shaker cabinetry.
The transitional shaker
Transitional design is the perfect balance, blending traditional comfort with contemporary flair. It often features shaker cabinets painted in slightly bolder neutrals (like charcoal grey or taupe) and uses mixed materials. To create a blend of sleek and rustic, use mixed hardware (knobs on cabinets, pulls on drawers) and perhaps a standalone, contrasting kitchen island.
When choosing a worktop to complement your cabinets, choose a surface that offers warmth and texture while remaining neutral enough to blend with the different elements. The earthy tones of 4230 Shitake or the subtle detailing in 5212 Taj Royale provide a beautiful mid-tone worktop that links traditional comfort with modern performance.
Case Study: Timeless British elegance meets understated Scandinavian style
Designed to balance timeless English elegance with understated Scandinavian style, this West London family home creates a warm, welcoming space that could grow with the family. The kitchen design played a role in balancing the new extension with the rest of the 1900s property, by using shaker-style cabinetry in two tonal shades of grey, complemented by a classic Neptune dresser in a darker, contrasting colour. The worktop, 5131 Calacatta Nuvo, ties the two colour schemes together to create a fresh, modern, yet still traditional, kitchen.
Design your own shaker kitchen
Shaker-style kitchens are a fantastic choice for any kitchen feel or design you’re trying to achieve. The inherently simple design of the shaker door allows the worktop to become the feature, and our Caesarstone worktops are the ideal companion for your chosen shaker cabinetry, providing the durability needed for a busy family kitchen without sacrificing elegance.
To bring your own design to life, start by exploring our colour catalogue and ordering your favourite samples to experience the quality of Caesarstone surfaces first-hand.
