The Complete Guide to Shaker Kitchens: Why This Timeless Style Suits Every Home
- Glenfield Kitchens
- Sep 15
- 12 min read
Updated: Dec 14
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Let’s find out why 70% of discerning homeowners choose this style.
You cannot step into a kitchen showroom or see designs online without coming across this type of kitchen. There is a reason that Shaker Kitchens are chosen by 64% of UK homeowners so let's find out why they are the main kitchen style of choice by so many people.
This guide assumes you already know what good craftsmanship looks like - whether that's in furniture, tailoring, or the knives you choose for serious cooking. We're here to translate that instinct into the specific questions and details that separate a kitchen you'll tolerate from one you'll celebrate gathering around.
First, understand that carcasses (the structural boxes behind the doors) are generally standardised. Shaker refers to the doors only so with any good kitchen supplier they will be looking to use a quality carcass construction along with hinges, soft close features. The carcass will be matched up with your door choice to complete the look of your units. With that in mind, let’s concentrate on the look and feel of Shaker doors.
Now we know that Shaker is the look of the doors, how do we know we’re looking at one in the showroom?
See the images below and you’ll notice that the middle of the door is recessed. There is a centre panel on Shaker doors. Your supplier may use descriptions like a ‘simple, straight railed look’. The doors are simple to look at and understand but very versatile in terms of how they can be visually adapted to create different Shaker styles. Contrast this to a ‘modern’ kitchen door which is a flat sheet door and this is one of the main advantages - Shaker doors work well in both traditional and modern kitchen designs.
Knowing what defines a Shaker door visually is straightforward. Understanding how it's constructed - and how well - determines whether you're looking at five years or twenty-five.
How they are made
A Shaker door has a centre panel and rails.
They are made by starting with a centre panel, then the rails - the sections that form the frame - sit on top to create that characteristic recessed middle section. The rails are dowelled together, joints are added, then everything is glued to the centre panel to form the door. What happens next depends on the quality of the finish, and this is where the gap between adequate and exceptional becomes clear:
Vinyl or foil wrapping: The majority of showroom Shakers use this approach - an industrial process where the manufacturer runs the door through a machine that shrink-wraps a finishing material over MDF. Some manufacturers even route MDF panels into a Shaker-style profile before applying the wrap. Modern wrapping technology can simulate wood grain quite convincingly, and these doors serve a purpose in the market, particularly for rental properties or short-term solutions.
The trade-off is durability.
Vinyl doors typically carry a five-year warranty because that's roughly how long they're expected to perform before the wrap begins to lift at corners or high-touch areas. If you're planning to move within that time frame, this might be adequate. If you're not, the question becomes:
Do you want to make this decision once, or revisit it in five years?
Traditional Timber: This is the original Shaker construction - typically Oak or Ash, though other quality hardwoods are used. The fundamental difference is that the wood itself is the feature: the grain, the subtle variations in tone, the knots that make each door distinct. The doors are treated to preserve and protect the timber while allowing its character to show through.
You can specify painted finishes in virtually any colour, and unlike vinyl which hides everything beneath a uniform surface, painted timber doors still reveal the wood grain beneath - texture you'll notice every time you open a cupboard. The door has substance when you handle it. The joinery is real. And because you've chosen materials that improve with age rather than degrade, you're looking at a lifespan of twenty years or more. Your Shaker kitchen will be preserved until you're genuinely ready for a change, not forced into one by failing materials.
Understanding what defines a Shaker door visually is the foundation. Understanding how it's constructed determines whether you're buying quality or just the look of quality.
The Real Cost of Shaker Kitchens in Leicester
There's a reason traditional Shaker doors command their price - it's the same reason you might pay more for Grenson shoes over high-street boots.
The former is built to be resoled; the latter is built to be replaced. When we discuss costs with clients, we're really discussing timelines: are you planning for five years, or twenty?
Door Materials
We’ve spoken above about the difference between vinyl or foil wrapped doors versus those of a timber construction. Even though you may not notice the difference early on when your kitchen is brand-new, consider that your new kitchen is one of the biggest investments you will make after the purchase of your house itself.
Sustainability has become a consideration for most buyers, but it means different things to different people. For some, it's about certifications and carbon offset. For our clients, it tends to be simpler: choose materials that won't need replacing. A twenty-year kitchen uses fewer resources than two ten-year kitchens, and you don't suffer the disruption of doing it twice.
Finish
Doors are either factory-finished, whether that is vinyl or foil wrapping or being painted. In recent times there is a trend towards choosing bolder colours in Shaker styles. As with any fashion choice, consider whether you will still like the colour theme in the future too. Houzz says that deep greens and navy finishes are currently popular, so if this is you, then you are on-trend!
Cabinet Construction
In-frame construction: These are doors that sit within a frame that is part of the carcass. Because the door sits on top, you will see exposed hinges as well. They are typically of a timber construction and usually around 20% more expensive than ‘lay-on’ doors. This is because it costs more for the frame materials as well as the fitting process.
Here’s an example of one:
Lay-on construction: When you look at these doors across your kitchen units, you will see a smooth finish of doors-only that sit side-by-side. Because there is no frame, you may also get more storage space inside them too.
Mid-range kitchens (not just the Shaker doors) tend to start from £15k-£50k, depending on the door quality and other factors we will cover later in this article.
High-end kitchens will be upwards from £25k, depending on the quality of materials but also other factors like custom construction, worktop choices, interior fittings and kitchen gadget installations.
If price lists are confusing it is because 'Shaker kitchen' can describe anything from £10,000 of flat-pack units to a £60,000 fully bespoke installation. The difference isn't just size - it's door construction, carcass quality, worktop material, the hardware you'll touch daily, and whether the design aligns into your personal taste and day-to-day usage needs.
Most of our Leicester clients invest between £25,000-£45,000 for a complete kitchen that will serve them well into the next decade and beyond. That typically includes traditional timber doors, quartz or granite work surfaces, quality soft-close mechanisms throughout, and full project management from custom 3-D kitchen plans through to final installation.
Here’s a summary of what we’ve covered so far:
Option | What it is | Look/Feel | Durability & Ageing | Maintenance | Cost Band (rel.) | Best for |
Vinyl/Foil-wrapped MDF | One MDF panel routed to a Shaker profile, then wrapped in vinyl/foil | Uniform surface; mimics grain | Typically 5-year warranty; risk of lifting at corners/high-touch areas over time | Wipe clean; avoid heat/steam at edges | £ | Rentals/short-term budgets |
Painted MDF (5-piece or one-piece) | MDF components with sprayed paint/lacquer | Smooth, consistent paint finish | Good if well-finished; less tactile than timber | Touch-ups possible; avoid harsh cleaners | ££ | Modern “clean” Shaker on a budget |
Solid Timber (Oak/Ash) Shaker | Traditional 5-piece rail-and-stile in timber | Tactile grain; “substance” when handled | 15–20+ years with proper finishing; improves with age | Gentle cleaners; occasional touch-ups | £££ | “Buy once” longevity + tactile quality |
In-frame | Door sits within a face frame; often visible hinges | Heritage detail; premium cues | Robust; more labour to install | As per door material | +~20% vs lay-on | Period/village homes; showcase craft |
Lay-on | Door overlays carcass (no frame) | Seamless run; modern-leaning | As per door material | As per door material | Baseline | Maximising storage; cleaner lines |
Because there are so many factors to consider - materials, construction methods, pricing models - it's easy to see how misconceptions arise. Let's address the most common ones directly.
What Leicester Homeowners Often Misunderstand About Shaker Kitchens
Over 48 years there are certain questions that come up time and time again. Let’s take away the most common confusion that comes up with planning your new kitchen:
"It'll take 6-8 weeks to install a new kitchen"
One of the biggest concerns is how will we manage without the facilities we need while our new kitchen is being installed? It’s easy to think that project delays or building snags will mean you’re reduced to ordering takeaways for months on end…but that will not be the case.
A well-managed kitchen project takes in the region of 2-3 weeks.
We are thorough with planning your job before a fitter steps foot in your home.
This includes visiting you and your kitchen to assess what needs to be done before we invite you back to the showroom to plan the new design and installation. Our fitters are given a lot of flexibility to speed up the fitting itself. As with any job, they will make decisions themselves on small challenges that come up so you’re back to using your kitchen in the quickest time possible.
Key things we take account of before your installation goes ahead:
Measuring up every part of your kitchen to ensure the fitting is done accurately
A survey form to ensure we capture everything you want in your new kitchen
Checking your electrical consumer unit to ensure it can handle any changes we make as part of your new installation
Plumbing and plastering needs if you’re altering the layout of your kitchen
You won’t have to deal with any other tradespeople as part of your installation, which means dealing with only a single fitter’s team and our staff if you have questions about the project.
“Premium features (such as worktops) are too expensive”
Quartz worktops were once seen as a very expensive material to install but times have changed and they are not seen as the same premium-item they once were.
Kitchens have changed a lot in terms of tech-gadgets too. Smart devices are a nice luxury to have that can increase the functional comfort of how you use your kitchen as part of daily life. If you’re looking at a twenty-year investment then it’s worth considering all of the fixtures and fittings that will last for that period of time, rather than having to replace items because they haven’t kept up with wear and tear as time goes on.
"All kitchen companies use hard-sell tactics"
This reputation exists for a reason - and it's particularly prevalent among national chains with sales quotas. After forty-eight years of serving Leicestershire families, we've learned that our best marketing is the kitchen we installed for your neighbour twenty years ago and now they’re in touch again for their new one. Or to renovate their bathroom or bedroom.
Our design consultations have no time pressure, no 'offer expires today' theatre. If you need time to decide, or want to go over your 3D kitchen plan several times, that tells us you're being thoughtful - exactly the kind of client we work best with.
This means no hard-sell is required because we stay true to our mission to ‘deliver quality kitchens that meet our customer’s good taste’.
"70% off sales are real discounts"
If a kitchen company can afford to take 70% off and still make a profit, what does that tell you about their markup and/or quality?
We've never inflated prices to create the illusion of a deal. Our pricing reflects what the materials cost, what skilled installation requires, and the reality that we'll answer the phone when you call in five years with a question.
We're not alone in finding this pricing approach problematic. Industry professionals regularly see the confusion these tactics create. David Moore, who's run Moore By Design for 27 years, recently shared his perspective on LinkedIn after a client showed him a quote from a national chain:
"You have to coordinate all the trades yourself"
Projects break down or run slower when there are more people involved. Communication becomes more challenging, as well as coordinating what happens during which part of your kitchen installation. This is why most of our customers prefer to have everything taken care of for them.
Planning your kitchen budget?
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What to Ask Your Kitchen Company
Over 48 years and countless first consultations, certain questions have proven essential. The checklist below ensures that when you've identified the Shaker styles that match your taste, you're vetting the quality of execution that will last.
These are not questions to catch out your kitchen designer. Use them to get the best information about your kitchen supplier. A good designer will appreciate you asking questions that make for an easier and clearer conversation.
Doors & construction
☐ True 5-piece rail-and-stile door, not routed MDF?
☐ Rail & stile thickness (mm) stated in the spec?
☐ Door material clearly stated and consistent (oak/ash or painted MDF)?
☐ Joinery described (dowelled/tenoned, glued), centre panel specified?
Finish
☐ Paint system explained (factory-sprayed, # coats, lacquer)?
☐ Timber shows subtle grain OR vinyl has warranty + heat/steam guidance?
☐ Named hinge/drawer brands, soft-close standard, load ratings quoted?
Hardware & internals
☐ Drawer box spec + back-panel thickness stated?
☐ Corner mechanisms/pull-outs + lighting demonstrated in showroom?
☐ Carcass grade/edging listed; waste removal + trades coordination included?
Carcasses, scope & aftercare
☐ Timeline (~2–3 weeks), warranties, snag response time in writing?
☐ Price tiers list inclusions (doors, worktop, internals, lighting)?
On your showroom visits, notice the designer who enthusiastically talks about their products and openly shares information when you ask these questions. It’s a sign that they know their stuff as well as a reflection of being a quality kitchen supplier.
Armed with these questions, you're ready to evaluate any kitchen company. Here's what that process looks like when you work with Glenfield…
The Glenfield Approach to Shaker Kitchens
Translating your taste into the specific layout, materials, and flow that works for your home - that's where design expertise matters.
Over the past decade, approximately 70% of the kitchens we've designed and installed have been Shaker-style - which means we've developed particular expertise in getting the details right.
The first conversation
This part can feel unstructured - and that's intentional.
We're listening for the details that reveal how you actually use your kitchen: where morning coffee happens, whether friends gather around an island or sit at a table, the appliances you've been wanting to upgrade but weren't sure would fit.
Many of our clients mention specific kitchens they've admired - perhaps at a friend's village cottage or in a holiday rental in the Cotswolds. What they're really describing isn't a shopping list but a feeling: that sense when a space just works. We're listening for that.
This conversation can happen at your home or in our showroom. If we come to you, we'll likely carry out the technical survey at the same time.
The survey
Precision matters here. If you're keeping your existing layout, we need millimetre-accurate measurements to ensure new units sit perfectly. If you're reconsidering the entire flow - moving the sink, adding an island, opening into an adjacent room - we're assessing what's structurally possible before you fall in love with a design that won't work.
The design process
This is where "you already know good taste" becomes oak versus ash, quartz versus granite, the specific handles you'll touch a hundred times a day.
Our design team uses 3D visualisation software that lets you see exactly what you're choosing - not just static renders but the ability to change worktop materials or door colours with a few clicks. For clients who've been collecting inspiration images for months, this is when those ideas either prove they work together or reveal they need refining.
48 years means we've installed hundreds of Shaker kitchens.
We know which materials age gracefully, which layouts people wish they'd changed, which corners you can't cut. When we suggest moving a certain cabinet 150mm or choosing a different hinge mechanism, it's not upselling - it's pattern recognition from decades of seeing what actually serves people well.
Ready to translate your taste into a kitchen you'll still love in twenty years?
You already recognised quality craftsmanship when you started reading this. Now let's design the Shaker kitchen that proves your instincts right.
Contact us: 0116 287 1551
Visit our showroom: 120 Station Rd, Glenfield, Leicester, LE3 8BR
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