How Much Does a Shaker Kitchen Cost?

Shaker kitchens are among the most popular designs for homeowners. 

While they are often associated with value for money, it’s impossible to give an accurate benchmark because every kitchen we design is unique to you. 

Aspects like the size of the room, the types of door materials you pick, the number of cabinets you require, your worktops, appliances and installation all influence the total price, which is why we always recommend speaking with an experienced kitchen designer to get a realistic idea of the budget you might need.

However, one of the primary benefits of a shaker kitchen is that its simplicity and the variety of finishes mean even a straightforward new kitchen can look just as beautiful as a luxurious design, provided the planning is done right.

Is a Shaker Kitchen Expensive?

Not necessarily, but it’s also misleading to state an average price for every shaker kitchen, because there is no fixed price. 

Instead, we work individually with each homeowner to listen to their ideas, maximum budget and aspirations before we start work.

Shaker kitchens are available across almost any budget, which means you have the freedom to design a simple, cost-efficient and highly functional space, a compact kitchen for a flat or apartment, a farmhouse-style family kitchen and living space, or a modern take on the classic shaker style.

The cabinets themselves are often more affordable than more intricate cabinet styles used in other kitchens, but it’s the overall specification of your kitchen that has the biggest impact on cost, rather than the kitchen style you prefer.

When it comes to Smile Kitchens, the cabinets are the same throughout the ranges, its the cost of the door and panel materials that change from MDF Foil wrapped to Timber painted, this is where the cost is driven. 

What Impacts the Cost of a Shaker Kitchen?

As you might expect, there are numerous elements of your kitchen that we’ll need to ask about or map out before we can provide reliable costings, some of which we’ve summarised below.

The Size of the Kitchen

The practicalities are that a larger kitchen will usually require more units, larger worktops, more flooring, and more labour, installation, and materials than a smaller room although clever planning and increasing to bigger/wider units to fill the space, means fewer units which can keep the cost down.

Cabinet Finishes

Shaker kitchens are often finished with stained or varnished natural wood or painted tones but can also be designed with textured doors and solid timber. 

Your Kitchen Worktop

Picking a worktop is an exciting part of designing a kitchen, but it can also have a significant influence on the overall price:

– Options like laminate are budget-friendly and practical

– Solid wood counters give a warm, traditional feel at a slightly higher price point

– Quartz and marble effect worktops generally fit at a higher price again, albeit with a luxury aesthetic and durable materials that are easy to maintain

– Porcelain worktops are extremely durable, but also a higher-end material choice

Of course, sizing also comes into play. A smaller kitchen with a stunning porcelain worktop might have a similar budget to a much larger room with a laminate counter.

Kitchen Appliances

Modern homeowners often emphasise the quality and functionality of their appliances. 

Integrated units are almost always more expensive than freestanding, but you could also find that adding wine coolers, boiling water taps and extractor fans adds to your budget.

Related reading: How much does a new kitchen cost? 

Shaker Kitchen Installation Costs

If your design involves moving plumbing or electrics, adding new taps and waste piping, fitting new flooring, or replastering your ceiling, this work will also need to be accounted for in your total costs.

Where Is it Worth Spending More in a Shaker Kitchen?

Budgets are really personal, and there isn’t any need to spend more than you’re comfortable with.

Our designers can always recommend clever tweaks to save space and cost, but there are scenarios where we might suggest that, provided it’s within budget, some upgrades will be worthwhile.

Homeowners deciding between priorities, and working out which elements of their design would benefit from more of a budget allocation might want to consider:

– Focusing on quality doors

– Ensuring that they have ample storage 

– Picking durable hinges and handles

– Durable, hard-wearing worktops

These parts of your kitchen often work the hardest and are subject to the most wear and tear, so concentrating on the best possible quality in these areas will mean your kitchen continues to look beautiful and be practical to use for years to come.

Thinking about a shaker kitchen but unsure how to balance your budget? 

Smile Kitchens can help you compare different layouts, materials and finishes during a free kitchen design consultation, creating a kitchen that’s tailored to your home and your budget.

How Can You Reduce the Cost of a Shaker Kitchen?

It’s common to look at elaborate designs and wonder how these might be replicated in your own home, but it’s often simple to ensure a shaker kitchen looks as you’ve dreamed without costing more than you’d like.

Some of the straightforward recommendations we could make include:

– Choosing standard cabinet sizes rather than extra-large or ceiling-height units – 

– Choosing the biggest size cabinets possible – if the room is large, opt for as many double base cabinets if the design suits. Remember that fewer cabinets = less cost. 

– Planning to have sinks and outlets where plumbing and wiring already is, instead of moving things around

– Going for lower-cost materials like laminate with a quartz-effect appearance rather than solid quartz

– Reusing your current appliances if they’re still in good working order

You could also phase in upgrades to your kitchen to keep costs under control. 

That could mean redesigning the cabinetry and worktops now, and investing in new appliances later, rather than replacing every element of your kitchen all at once.

If you’d like more guidance about the options, you’re welcome to schedule a free design consultation. We can produce 3D designs for you to walk through your new design layout, and physical samples to ensure you’re completely happy before your new kitchen is delivered.

Our price match guarantee and finance options, which can be spread over up to 120 months, all help make a bespoke kitchen more accessible, and we’re here to help if you have any questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Shaker Kitchens Cheaper Than Handleless Kitchens?

Potentially, but not necessarily. The style of your cabinets won’t determine the overall cost of your new kitchen, and factors like materials and appliances will likely have a much bigger impact than whether you go for a shaker or handleless design.

What Is the Most Expensive Part of a New Kitchen?

This varies, but generally the worktops and cabinetry make up the biggest proportion of the budget, while high-quality appliances can also significantly impact costs.