One of our most requested styles in kitchen design is the shaker kitchen. The Shaker aesthetic has its roots in a craft tradition where every detail serves a clear purpose. The design language is minimalist yet far from simple; it is built on balance, precision and a deep respect for the materials.
Explore more of our Shaker kitchens.
About the Shaker style
The Shaker style is defined by a design language where simplicity, function and craftsmanship take centre stage. Clean lines, well-proportioned framed fronts and subtle detailing create a calm, timeless expression that suits both classic and contemporary homes.
With its focus on natural materials, solid joinery and a thoughtfully curated colour palette, the style has become a strong influence within modern kitchen design. The Shaker kitchen is celebrated worldwide for its balanced blend of aesthetics and function — a design that lets the craftsmanship speak and is built to last for generations.
Design and style in Shaker kitchens
Nordiska Kök offers Shaker kitchens in both a classic Shaker design with rustic, wide frames around doors and drawers, as well as a more refined and elegant interpretation featuring slimmer frames.
Classic and Rustic Shaker Kitchen
A wider frame around the door creates a slightly more rustic and traditional feel.
Elegant and Modern Shaker Kitchen with a Slim Frame
A slimmer frame gives the kitchen a more elegant and lightweight expression.
We offer frame widths of 40 mm, 60 mm and 70 mm, and our Shaker doors are also available in solid wood.
Learn more about our Shaker kitchens.
Colour in Shaker kitchens
Choosing a colour for a Shaker kitchen is about finding the balance between tradition and modernity. Classic green tones — from deep forest green to soft sage — create a calm, nature-inspired expression that highlights the craftsmanship of the framed doors.
At the same time, light neutral shades such as beige, greige and soft grey have become increasingly popular. These tones create a gentle, modern backdrop that allows wood, stone and hardware to stand out, giving the kitchen a harmonious and airy feel.
Whether you choose a classic or contemporary colour, the goal remains the same: to elevate the Shaker kitchen with a shade that feels timeless and personal — a colour that will remain beautiful for years to come.
Read Nordiska Kök’s guide to choosing the right kitchen colour.
Worktops for Shaker Kitchens
The countertop is one of the most defining elements of a Shaker kitchen, and the choice of material greatly influences the overall feel. In a kitchen where craftsmanship, proportion and timeless design are central, natural stone is an obvious choice. Classic materials such as marble and limestone offer a living, organic expression with their natural veining and soft tonal variations. They bring a warm, historical character that pairs beautifully with the refined Shaker aesthetic and feels just as relevant today as it did a century ago.
For those seeking a more contemporary and low-maintenance option, modern stone materials like granite composite and quartzite are excellent alternatives. Granite composite provides a smooth, durable surface with high everyday functionality, while allowing you to select tones that complement the kitchen’s design. Quartzite, a naturally hard and resilient stone, offers a more exclusive look with its subtle patterns and light, Nordic hues — perfect for anyone wanting to combine classic character with modern performance.
Whether you’re drawn to the traditional or the more modern, the countertop is a chance to enhance the harmonious expression of a Shaker kitchen and bring a sense of personality that will endure over time.
Read more about kitchen worktops.
Handles & Knobs for Shaker Kitchens
The details truly elevate the character of a Shaker kitchen, and handles and knobs play an especially important role. Cup handles in brass, for example, enhance the classic Shaker expression, while beautifully crafted knobs can create either a traditional or a more contemporary look. If you opt for push-open fronts, you can also achieve a more minimalist and understated Shaker aesthetic.
Naturally, our skilled kitchen designers are here to help you find the style that suits you best.
Read more about knobs & handles for the kitchen.
Kitchen Tap or Mixer?
When choosing a tap for a Shaker kitchen, it’s about more than functionality — it’s about finding the detail that elevates the whole without overpowering it. A modern single-lever mixer offers a clean and minimalist expression that blends seamlessly with the Nordic design language. It is easy to use, simple to maintain and can be matched beautifully with both sink and hardware for a cohesive look.
For those who want to enhance the classic Shaker expression, a traditional kitchen tap with two handles is a beautiful alternative. Its defined lines and timeless silhouette add character while connecting to the authenticity of traditional craftsmanship. The two separate handles make it easy to adjust the temperature with precision, creating a functional detail that feels both decorative and naturally at home in the space.
Whether you prefer the modern and pared-back or the classic and timeless, the right tap is one of those small details that makes a big difference in a Shaker kitchen.
Read more about kitchen taps and mixers.
Sinks for Shaker Kitchens
When choosing a sink for a Shaker kitchen, functionality is key. A sink that’s too small can limit the kitchen’s usability, while a more generous model makes everyday tasks smoother — especially when rinsing a baking tray or washing a large pot. A spacious, rectangular sink mounted flush with the countertop is a clean and refined choice that harmonises beautifully with the proportions of Shaker doors. It’s the perfect option for a more understated, minimalist Shaker kitchen where form speaks quietly without dominating the room.
Another option is a natural stone sink, where the basin and the countertop meet in a seamless expression. Allowing the material to flow in tone creates an elegant unity that feels both exclusive and organic — a solution that enhances the harmonious character of the Shaker kitchen.
Larger porcelain sinks are also a popular choice, especially in more generously sized kitchens where they have room to stand out. Visible from both above and the front, they give the kitchen a more historical character. With their solid presence and classic aesthetic, they reinforce the timeless charm of Shaker design in a way that feels warm and soulful.
Read more about choosing the right kitchen sink.
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Five quick tips for creating the Shaker style kitchen
Take some time to figure out how much storage space you’ll need. List what appliances you’ll want to have on hand and which you can go without. With this information, we can help you design a kitchen that is as symmetrically-designed as possible — all of our Shaker kitchens are site-build, custom-designed, and fully functional.
You may want to consider an open shelving system. The less storage space you need, the fewer cabinets you’ll have to incorporate into the space. Instead, you can focus on open shelves to keep things organized.
Utilize natural materials. Any additions you make to your bespoke kitchen should be fully natural. Stone, wood, and metal all work quite well in Shaker-style kitchens.
Look for inspiration from rooms that incorporate lots of muted colors. These can serve as a strong starting point even if you wind up using different hues all around the space. For example, you can use a lighter shade for the walls and a darker shade for the cabinets while staying within the same color palette. By using a consistent color scale, you’ll create a simpler, cleaner and more harmonious expression.
Decorate your open shelves with all sorts of beautiful details: porcelain tableware, a metal milk jug, or a beautiful wooden cutting board are all stylish and useful details to display. Johanna Bradford’s kitchen is a good example of what we mean. Try to avoid anything too chromatic or made from synthetic materials such as plastic as these might clash with the surrounding space.
Here we have also collected kitchen inspiration, kitchen furnishings, worktops, appliances, tips for kitchen renovation and guides on how to think when planning the kitchen.