How to Decorate with a Shaker Style in Your Home

Elegance, craftsmanship and simplicity are the keys to the shaker style . The trend is oriented to the incorporation of functional pieces that, beyond the ornament, are comfortable and useful.

Without giving itself fully to austerity, as it happened in its beginnings, the Shaker style has made a return in the field of current decoration, which highlights appealing only to what is necessary to build warm and beautiful spaces.

This trend is constantly increasing the number of its followers due to its proposal to transform the traditional into something distinguished. But how was this fashion born, and how does it fit in your home? Read on to find out!

What is the shaker style?

The United Society of Believers in the Second Appearing of Christ gave birth to the Shaker community. Its history gained momentum in 1747, when the leader of the clan, Ann Lee, emigrated with a group of followers from England to the United States.

There, they dedicated themselves to communal living, promoting the simplicity of the environment that today stands out as one of the most striking models in interior decoration. Furthermore, the non-profit association Hispania Nostra (HN) comments that the Christian movement laid a strong foundation for the beautification of any area to respond to Shaker principles today.

As the Art and Architecture Thesaurus emphasizes, the Shakers implemented the artisan method, made their own furniture, and furnished their homes with as few objects as possible. Thus, they didn’t need ostentatious interior design, but they were excellent cabinetmakers who turned rustic wood into beautiful and useful furnishings.

That’s what the modern Shaker style is all about. Therefore, it’s about embellishing a space using the least amount of things and opting for quality craftsmanship.

What you should take into account to adopt the Shaker style

Sticking to the initial philosophy, the Shaker style gives handcrafted objects the quality of becoming pieces of design. According to a thesis published by the University of Belgrano, the objective is to increase the visual level without resorting to merely decorative elements.

Therefore, to implement the trend in your home, it’s essential to keep in mind the following characteristics:

• Minimalism: it’s all about simplicity.
• Stylism: this is about giving priority to furniture with defined lines.
• Spaciousness: this is so that the rooms are not crowded with furniture.
• Functionality: this is not about being expensive or showy, but being useful.
• Discretion: this is mainly with the colors, which must belong to a sober palette.

Tips to adapt the decoration of your home to the Shaker style

Pay attention to the details that provide serenity and fit your tastes to incorporate them in the interior design. Here are some ideas to personalize your home with this unique style.

Welcome wood

Wood is the protagonist in the Shaker style. So, look for furniture made of cherry, pine, maple, or any bark that can be carved, that has fine handmade details and that stands out for its durability.

Opt for colonial colors

The color palette associated with the Shaker theme evokes the sky, water, and other natural elements. Then, blue, green, ocher, gray, and shades of white sympathize with the trend. In the case of the latter, it’s usually recommended for meeting rooms or the kitchen area, especially when they’re quite large.

Ideally, the range should match the wood, which is the main resource of the furniture . In short, the paint on the walls should convey serenity and complement the natural light.

Minimalist thinking

Respect the premise of “less is more” and try to have as few objects as possible, and distribute them in strategic places. Therefore, if the space is small, it will appreciate that you know how to make the most of it!

Use few accessories

Having few pieces of furniture means easy cleaning. Thus, the Shaker style promotes permanent hygiene both in the case of the fixtures and the house. It does not accept the accumulation of dust or stains.

Also, there should be no tablecloths, curtains, linings, or any fabric that saturates the environment. Authenticity is in the nudity of the furnishings and walls.

Patchwork and wool or cotton rugs are allowed, as long as they’re scarce. So, forget the little tables full of ornaments and vases!

Focus on functionality

If it’s Shaker, it can bring elegance, but above all, it’s about functionality. We’re talking about things that are light and easy to move.

It would be nice if some furniture models have wheels or are made to measure. This way, you can move it to any corner without so much effort.

An extra example of functionality is to attach coat racks to the wall to hang hats, hats, keys, and coats. Similarly, instead of having big armchairs in the room, consider armchairs or rocking chairs, combined with a discreet sofa.

Do away with auxiliary furniture and built-in closets. This advice is essential to preserve order and unclutter your spaces.

The impact of a Shaker style on modern design

The magazine of the Centro de Estudios en Diseño y Comunicación de Argentina highlights the social commitment that the Shaker discipline brings from its beginnings to modern times. Consequently, they refer to detaching from ornaments and making way for practicality.

In this way, the movement born in another century shakes hands with current interior design, by joining elegance and utilitarianism for everyday life in a single concept. So, would you like to implement the trend?