Shaker door -- how wide do I make the stiles and rails?

12 years ago

Is there a "rule of thumb" for the width of the stiles and rails on classic shaker door? The cabinet maker is suggesting 2 1/2 inches. The small drawer fronts will have skinnier top and bottom rail to the the hardware can fit comfortably, but the stiles will be same as the cabinet or drawer door below. What is the typical or most common size of these? Thanks!

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Ironwood Builders

12 years ago

last modified: 12 years ago

It is with interest that I read the statements of stile and rail size in Shaker cabinetry. As a cabinet maker, Shaker style is more about simplicity of design and usually refers to the lack of ornamentation on the stile and rail "square sticking" and slab front drawers graduating in size from large at the bottom to small at the top.. Reviewing the book that took me down the road of home building, cabinet and furniture making, "Shaker, Life, Work and Art" by June Sprigg and David Larkin, 1987, Stewart, Tabori and Chang, Pub. I find that the ACTUAL cabinets found in the Shaker communities, some 200 years or more old, tend (not always, as these were handmade, one of a kind) to have a 3-4" wide stile and similar sized, though slightly larger head rail and a much wider foot or kick rail...around 5"....based on visual reference from photos as opposed to measured drawings.

Weighing in on "trend" vs. "timeless"....timeless is impossible! The planet we live on has a birthdate! I guess where I come down on the issue is: If it is still in use and over 100 years old....and no one wants to rip it out because it is ugly, then it has surpassed trend (nobody wants to tear out the New York Subways...some of them have historic preservation status). Flash in the pan may describe the current hot colors of turquoise, orange and citrine...I hope....I'm desperately avoiding IOS-7 because the colors used are right in that trend's wheelhouse.

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Comments (9)

PRO
Brickwood Builders, Inc.
12 years ago
Really depends on the look that you are going for. The wider stiles and rails are used both in true craftsman style homes but are also used for a more contemporary look. Many of the painted shaker style doors are used in very traditional or transitional kitchens, but the stiles and rails tend to be around 2".
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PRO
Barbra Bright Design
12 years ago
A traditional shaker door stile and rail is 2 1/4."
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Original Author
12 years ago
Can you recommend a width if I tell you what overall look we are going for?.....

We are going for a contemporary look, but not too modern.

The kitchen will be --- perimeter: white painted shaker cabinets to the ceiling, leathered antique brown granite; island: dark painted cabinets, polished white macaubus quartzite; honed marble subway tile backsplash; wood floors; contemporary (but not too modern) lighting and other fixtures and hardware; colors: grey/beiges walls with greys/whites furniture, and orange accents.

Thanks!
PRO
Laura Vlaming | Arkiteriors
12 years ago
ditto, to Deborah's comment... if you don't want "too modern" stay away from slab front drawers. the rails on top and bottom being skinnier, is a classic detail. the floors should be darker, and neutral in color (not too red/orange not too yellow). sounds like you are on the right track!
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PRO
Barbra Bright Design
12 years ago
A 3" stile and rail will give you a nice contemporary look. Try to keep your cabinet doors a minimum of 15" wide (18" is even better), so that there enough center panel.
User thanked Barbra Bright Design
Donna Tavani
7 years ago
For my kitchen renovation, I'm hoping to use the Semihandmade doors with 2 1/2 " stiles on my IKEA cabinets. I will be keeping some of my cabinets and finding similar doors to match (Semihandmade only fit IKEA cabinets). The widest style I can find it 2 1/4". Would that much difference be noticeable? The cabinet door with a larger style would be above the counter where some drawer fronts on the cabinet directly below the counter would have the slightly smaller stiles. That is the only place where the two stile sizes are close together. They will all be painted white. Do you think it would be hugely noticeable? It will save me a lot of money to do it this way!
newmanbl2003
6 years ago
I used Semihandmade drawer front on some pieces and then built my own for some—I like the variation but my hubby doesn’t...
Ashley Phillips
6 years ago
Deciding on wide rail cabinets VS standard rail cabinets. Going in a log home that we are trying to make into a more modern home but keeping the rustic touches. Kitchen isn’t too big !