Martha Stewart's Preferred Style Of Kitchen Cabinet Is A Timeless Classic

Designing a kitchen that looks timeless can feel like a challenge. Design trends can have us looking at pieces that end up dating our space quickly. If you're looking for inspiration on creating a kitchen that will look fresh for years, Martha Stewart definitely knows how to put together design elements that have staying power. Her own kitchen is 20 years old and still looks classic, if not modern. Naturally, she chose a popular cabinet style that helps create a timeless kitchen, even years after being installed. In talking about her kitchen, Stewart mentioned, "...the panels in the cabinets, flat-paneled cabinets, sort of in the American Shaker-style, are beautiful tiger maple," as per Homes and Gardens.

The fact that Stewart chose to install American Shaker-style cabinets is a big reason why her space feels more timeless. This is because these types of cabinets feature a more minimalist design, characterized by center panels that lie flat and are recessed within the frame. This style is all about clean lines and a lack of ornamentation. And because of the minimalism of these cabinets, they aren't subject to the whims of current trends. Adding to that, Shaker cabinets blend well in both modern and traditional spaces — and it's their ability to complement a variety of styles that makes them a classic favorite among homeowners.

American Shaker-style cabinets are typically made with high-quality materials, specifically wood, which adds to their functionality. A wide range of woods can be used to build these cabinets, including pine, oak, maple, and birch. Not only are they more durable, but these classic wood cabinet combinations also add to how timeless and chic the kitchen can feel. While these cabinets can be painted, as Martha Stewart did in her own kitchen, staining them allows the natural wood grain to shine through.

One of the reasons Stewart favors Shaker-style cabinets in her kitchen is that she likes everything to be flush. "If you have a spill off a counter, it's not going to go into the drawers and get stuck into all the fancy moldings and stuff. It's elegant but simple," she told Homes and Gardens. Not only is there a functional aspect to these cabinets, but their design also plays a key role in keeping a kitchen looking fresh for years. Without the moldings and design details on the doors, it makes it easy for these cabinets to blend into any design. It also means that your kitchen will likely feel more modern, traditional, or even rustic, depending on the other choices you make throughout the space.