Narrow Shaker style - what do you think?

12 days ago

I have started to see this cabinet style pop up quite a bit over the last year in particular. I am curious your thoughts on it and the longevity it may have. The typical Shaker with ~2" boarder has been around for quite some time. I have three questions, and anything else you want to add is welcome.

1) Is this style here to stay?

2) Are there certain architectures you see this fitting best with?

3) is it easy or difficult to maintain (clean, chips, dings etc)

Featured Answer

sdgfsaa

11 days ago

last modified: 11 days ago

I have used traditional shaker drawers and doors, slab, and mini shaker like those pictured. I honestly think all three have design longevity, and any of them is appropriate depending on the rest of the design elements in the kitchen/bath/laundry. Most recently, I used mini shaker in the kitchen shown in the photo below (RCWO with clear finish). The custom crown moulding at the top of the uppers takes it in the direction of craftsman style, but the overall look is quite contemporary. We find that cleaning and durability are comparable to traditional shaker and only slightly more work than slab front. The smaller rails and stiles in mini shaker doors and drawer fronts allow the wood to become the primary feature of the cabinetry, which makes this style an excellent choice if you are using rift cut white oak. This is also one reason I don't see this style going away soon.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

dani_m08
12 days ago
I am trying to finalize my kitchen renovations selections - and I've wanted to use a slim shaker style for doors/drawer fronts for at least 3-4 years (rift sawn white oak - before everyone was using RSWO).

I knew that I didn't want to do a true shaker style (that's basically all I saw for the first four years on Houzz (most being white shaker - at least for perimeter cabinets).

There are various sizes for slim shaker cabinets - I've seen ones that are just under 1/2" wide up to about 1.25".

I don't think that there is anything about the style that would make them more difficult to maintain. I have wondered if they will date a kitchen to the 2020s. (more towards around 2023 and forward).

Jan Moyer (highly respected designer who is very active on Houzz) has made positive comments about them which has made me think that it may still be a good decision.
chispa
12 days ago
Think about the type of hardware you will use and its placement.

I had this photo saved. Thinner rail with an additional decorative molding on the inside.
Intricate Kitchen in London (6489) · More Info

I did standard shaker with a decorative molding. I had done more ornate stained doors when I remodeled my previous Spanish style house, so I was ready for something more simple, clean-lined when I built.
Related Professionals
Port Saint Lucie Home Remodeling · Stamford Home Remodeling · Rochester Home Remodeling · North Platte Home Remodeling · Vancouver Home Remodeling · Bainbridge Kitchen Remodelers · California Kitchen Remodelers · Pittsfield Kitchen Remodelers · Southaven Bathroom Remodelers · Norfolk Bathroom Remodelers · Cedar Rapids Bathroom Remodelers · Magnolia Kitchen Remodelers · Charleston Kitchen Remodelers · Eugene Kitchen Remodelers · Tallahassee Custom Countertops
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
8 days ago
I like the new profile.

Not sure I would like the wood veneer laid up in two different directions on the cabinets.
RedRyder
8 days ago
I think it looks modern and will have longevity. Simplicity goes a long way in any kitchen. Go for it.
P D
8 days ago
I have the wider Shaker style cupboards and I find that the bottom drawers and doors get dirtier than the top cabinet doors (on the ledge of the trim piece). I told my sister how tired of cleaning them I was, and when she got a new kitchen, she put flat fronts on the bottom and shaker fronts on top. It looks very nice, since mostly drawers already has a busy look in a small kitchen; and it’s SO easy to clean- i’m jealous!
Ferron Smith
Original Author
8 days ago
Thanks for the insight there. I have had both and I. My last kitchen I did I put a chamfer on the edge to reduce the grime build up. We have flat front now and so easy to keep clean. A mix may be the way to go, but do t want it to get too modern. I want to ensure it is a good style for the house. Fortunately we have time to decide.