How to make a shaker kitchen feel modern and contemporary?

Shaker kitchens are a staple within kitchen design and renovations, gaining modern revival and  popularity within the 1970s and 80s in response to mass-produced heavily decorated furniture. These days, you find shaker-style kitchen designs more commonly associated with traditional, design-leaning motifs, such as in-frame kitchens. However, what many seem to miss is that within a truly bespoke kitchen design, shaker elements can be used proportionately. This helps give your renovation a timeless, contemporary feel.

Both elegant and sophisticated, it can offer a grounding dimension to your space but the question becomes how do you incorporate a shaker style design into a space that truly reflects the character?

Add a pop of colour

Colour is one of the most important aspects of interior design, not solely kitchens. When used correctly, colour has the power to brighten and modernise any space. 

Experimenting with colour is a great way to inject personality into your kitchen. It tailors the design to your tastes and offers a unique perspective. Bold colours project a confident statement of intent. They serve as an unapologetic reflection of the client’s character, welcoming playful excitement and energy into the space. In contrast, neutral tones can create a timeless aesthetic. They allow the design and functionality to speak for themselves, fostering a calming sense of togetherness within the space.

To add further interest into a bespoke shaker kitchen, consider the finish of the paint. Metallic sheens can reflect light throughout the space, adding a subtle yet modernising touch. Incorporating glass display elements within the shaker framing adds visual depth and creates a striking focal point. This is especially effective when paired with ambient lighting.

Shaker and Scale 

An insightful way to personalise your shaker kitchen renovation is to play with the sale of the shaker design itself.

Traditionally, shaker doors feature a thick rectangular frame surrounding the central panel. By refining these proportions, you can dramatically shift the overall aesthetic. A slimmer framed finish, often referred to as a Scandi shaker, offers a more contemporary look. It blends classic craftsmanship with modern minimalism, highlighting natural wood veneers or enhancing deeper painted finishes.

Beaded shaker designs,which feature a raised border rather than a recessed panel, provide an interesting way to bridge the divide between traditional and contemporary. These subtle details allow for varying levels of ornamentation, creating a tailored finish that suits both classic and modern interiors. 

At the most traditional end of the spectrum, Georgian-style shaker doors feature thicker, engraved panels with varying levels of intricate detailing. They are often associated with grand, in-frame kitchen designs. However even these styles of frontals can be modernised with the thoughtful use of materiality and contemporary finishings. 

Combining elements

Shaker-style design need not be one-size-fits-all. In fact, the most successful spaces often combine traditional craftsmanship with modern elements, merging concepts in a way that feels effortlessly timeless and uniquely yours.

All great design evolves from the creations of the past, a constant cycle of reinvention. Through combining both contemporary and classical elements, you can rest assured that your bespoke kitchen renovation will stand the test of time. Avoid relying solely on the use of modern trends by instead including timeless elements to create a space that evokes design intention.  

Elements such as metallic finishes, glass cabinets, fluted or slatted panelling, as well as open shelving and dramatic stonework, are all elegant ways to combine contemporary finishes with traditional design. The result feels both current and enduring.

Experience Modern Shaker Kitchen Design in North London

At Point 5 Kitchens we specialise in creating luxury bespoke kitchens that reflect both the personality of our clients and the architectural character of their homes. From initial consultation to final installation, every project is curated with meticulous attention to detail.

Whether your style leans towards modern minimalism, timeless elegance or classical refinement, our team ensures that every kitchen is beautiful, functional and uniquely yours.

Explore our London showrooms in Muswell Hill or Belsize Park, or visit www.point5kitchens.co.uk to book your bespoke consultation.