Replacing Cabinet Doors? Consider Shaker Style
Is your kitchen looking tired and dated? Do the existing cabinet doors make the space feel dark and closed in? Replacing those doors with a fresh new style can instantly brighten up the entire room.
When choosing a door design for your kitchen refresh, shaker style doors should be at the top of your list. This classic, versatile look pairs well with any type of decor and provides an affordable facelift versus a full blown remodel.
What is Shaker Style?
Shaker style cabinet doors take their name from the Shaker religious movement of the 1700s. Shaker communities valued simplicity, functionality and craftsmanship in all things, and their furniture designs reflected these ideals.
Today, the hallmarks of shaker style are clean, flat panels and visible joinery. The recessed center panel is subtly decorated with a rounded or chamfered edge. Compared to raised panel or ornate door designs, shaker has an understated and minimalist aesthetic.
Benefits of Shaker Doors
There are many reasons shaker cabinetry remains a popular choice today:
- Affordable Update - Just switching out the doors provides a facelift for a fraction of a full remodel cost.
- Complements Any Decor - With their simple lines, shaker doors work in traditional to ultra modern kitchens.
- Timeless Appeal - The pared down look has endured decades and suits any era.
- Easy to Match - Shaker door style pairs well with nearly any hardware.
Because they fit with so many design aesthetics, shaker doors are an easy way to update your kitchen without taking a huge decorative risk. Their clean look also makes rooms feel more open and airy.
Shaker vs. Other Door Styles
Here's how shaker cabinets compare to some other popular door styles:
- Raised Panel - Shaker doors lack the dimensional, decorative center panels.
- Glass Inserts - Shakers have simple flat panels, not glass.
- Ornate/Carved - Shaker doors are the opposite of heavily embellished.
While intricate door patterns make a statement, shaker offers flexibility. For many homeowners, the smart choice is an attractive “blank slate” that works with their existing kitchen elements.
Replacing Existing Doors
Ready to swap your outdated or damaged cabinet doors for fresh new shaker style? Here’s an overview of the process:
Refacing vs Refinishing
First, decide whether to replace the doors only (refacing) or redo the door surfaces along with the cabinet boxes (refinishing).
Refacing simply swaps old doors and drawer fronts for new. Refinishing involves painting or staining the boxes and doors to match. Refacing takes less time and allows replacing doors without the mess of a full refinish.
Custom vs Stock Doors
Next, determine whether stock or custom-made doors are the better fit. Stock doors cost less but limited sizes may require filler strips. Custom doors match your cabinets exactly but have a higher price tag.
Installation Process
Once you’ve selected new shaker doors, the installation process goes like this:
- Remove old doors and hardware
- Take measurements of existing cabinet boxes
- Order and receive new replacement doors
- Install new doors and adjust fittings
- Reattach hardware like hinges and pulls
Proper measuring prevents surprises or mismatches later on. And pay close attention to door swing clearance. The project goes quickly with accurate planning up front.
Complementary Upgrades
Beyond the doors themselves, consider related upgrades that enhance the new shaker style:
- Countertops - Quartz or granite complement shaker simplicity
- Backsplash - Subway tile is a classic pairing
- Lighting - Pendant lights enhance new cabinet display
- Paint Color - Neutrals showcase the clean lines
Tying all the elements together creates a cohesive, integrated kitchen design.
Choosing the Perfect Shaker Doors
Shaker cabinets may share common characteristics, but small variations make a big difference. Focus on these door details to get the perfect look:
Door Material
Shaker style doors come in wood species like oak, maple and hickory or maintenance-free materials like vinyl, thermfoil and laminate. Glass door fronts also create a unique but still minimalist look. Go for real wood or opt for durability.
Door Style Variations
Vary the door style within the shaker family for extra interest:
- Flat panel
- Arched top
- Louvred or slatted
- Decorative distressing
- Two-tone paint or stain
Explore special details like exposed hinges, antique glass, or unique wooden knobs and pulls.
Where to Purchase
Quality replacement shaker doors can be sourced from:
- Big box home stores
- Online retailers
- Local woodworkers and cabinet builders
For total customization, local cabinet specialists may provide the greatest quality and service. Or choose an affordable mass-market option for convenience.
The clean, casual look of shaker makes it one of the most appealing and versatile kitchen cabinet door styles. With some new shaker doors, you can update your space with a lighter, brighter and more modern feel.
Keep the inherent simplicity while adding modern elements like glass fronts, two-tone colors, and exposed hinge hardware. The classic shaker look pairs perfectly with contemporary components.
Replacing tired old cabinet doors provides an easy kitchen refresh at a reasonable cost. And few door styles work in as many kitchens as versatile, minimalist shaker. It’s a timeless choice that looks lightyears ahead of old-fashioned closed-in cabinets.
Let the simple beauty of shaker transform your cooking space. Those sleek, straight lines bring out the best in any kitchen.