The simple lines of a Shaker scheme make it the perfect vehicle for colour. Many painted kitchens still tend towards a palette of creams, off-whites and sophisticated deep greys but using brighter shades on key pieces is an easy way to create focal points. Pastels work especially well alongside pale greys as do bolder shades, such as chartreuse yellow and mustard. Best of all, if you fancy a refresh, the furniture can always be given a lick of paint for a completely new look.<\/p>\n

Colour isn\u2019t for everyone, but if you still like the idea of a Shaker kitchen with a less traditional feel, there are ways to style it to give it an extra edge. The current trend for industrial-influenced d\u00e9cor echoes the Shaker aesthetic, uniting the authenticity of raw, unfinished materials with a pared-back look that\u2019s built to last. Shaker-style kitchens are a perfect match for bare brick walls, exposed copper piping, knotted natural timbers, industrial-style ducting, stainless-steel appliances and concrete or concrete-effect worktops. Finished with elegant bar handles instead of knobs, the overall look is one that\u2019s reassuringly classic with a modern twist.<\/p>\n

While most Shaker kitchens sit comfortably in a contemporary setting, the basic style has evolved beyond its fundamental features into a range of designs with increasingly modern overtones. Bringing in sleek, minimal elements, such as recessed plinths for a floating furniture feel and three-quarter-height cabinetry as a practical option for banked appliances, the new take on Shaker style allows it to be a good fit with busy family lifestyles. Twinned with fuss-free, seamless composite worktops and smart storage solutions, the result is still recognisably Shaker but interpreted for a modern age.<\/p>\n