When it comes to creating the perfect kitchen, there are a multitude of kitchen design options available. Among the many choices, traditional kitchens and Shaker kitchens stand out as two timeless and luxurious styles.
Each of these kitchen designs has its own unique characteristics and appeal, making it essential to understand the key differences between each style before you commit to one for your handmade kitchen renovation.
Traditional kitchens: elegance with ornate details
Traditional kitchens exude a sense of elegance and refinement. Inspired by classic European designs, these kitchens embrace intricate detailing and ornate features. The cabinets often feature raised panel doors with intricate mouldings and carved accents. These additions add depth and visual interest, creating a luxurious and opulent ambience.
Traditional kitchen designs often incorporate rich wood materials like cherry, mahogany, or walnut, showcasing their high-quality craftsmanship. Traditional kitchens tend to appeal to homes looking for a more rustic feel, such as cottages or farmhouse interiors.
Shaker kitchens: simplicity with clean lines
Are you looking for something more minimal? In contrast to traditional kitchen designs, Shaker kitchens, which originated from the Shaker religious community maintain a sense of sophistication but focus on functionality and simplicity over all the “bells and whistles.”
The cabinets in Shaker kitchen designs feature recessed panel doors with clean lines and minimal ornamentation, allowing the natural beauty of the wood to shine through. Whereas traditional kitchens often feature ornamentation, Shaker kitchens take the approach that extra details will often detract from the overall sharpness of the aesthetic. Instead, they emphasise the use of high-quality materials such as oak, maple, or pine.
Colour palette: rich vs. neutral
We can see that Shaker and traditional kitchens differ in their design elements. And another aspect that sets traditional kitchen designs and Shaker kitchens apart is their colour palette. Traditional kitchens tend to feature rich, warm tones such as deep cherry reds, dark mahoganies, or luscious walnut browns. These hues contribute to the overall luxurious and cosy feel of the space, and nod to traditional, more maturer colour spectrums.
Shaker kitchens, on the other hand, embrace a more neutral colour palette. Shades of white, cream, and light grey dominate, creating a clean and fresh aesthetic that is both timeless and versatile. Shaker kitchens are a great way to add a retro edge to a modern space and are an especially popular look in modern kitchen designs.
Versatility: classic vs. contemporary
While both traditional kitchens and Shaker kitchens offer timeless appeal, they differ in their versatility. Traditional kitchens are well-suited for those who appreciate a classic and elegant aesthetic that exudes luxury. They complement traditional home styles and are perfect for creating a regal ambience.
In contrast, Shaker kitchens possess a more contemporary and versatile charm. Their clean lines and simplicity make them suitable for various design themes, from modern to farmhouse and everything in between. As neutral colour palettes have taken the interior world by storm, Shaker kitchens are the more popular choice when it comes to bespoke, handmade kitchens.
Handmade kitchens from Hill Farm Furniture
Whether you’ve got a kitchen renovation in mind, or are looking to design your new, handmade kitchen from scratch, we can help turn your creative ideas to life with our team of highly skilled, artisanal craftsmen.
From the timeless allure of traditional and Shaker designs to a style with a more contemporary edge - we can craft a bespoke, handmade kitchen for any aesthetic you have in mind. We’ll meticulously carve the perfect kitchen cabinet doors, open shelves, and work surfaces to elevate your culinary haven.
Get in touch with us today to request a consultation, and get started on bringing your dream kitchen to life.
