If you love classy and modern furniture, the Shaker Blanket Chest is for you! Not only does the Shaker Blanket Chest hold a savvy name, but it also holds a great capacity for storage possibilities.
Let’s discuss all the important aspects of the Shaker Blanket Chest starting with an exact description of this wooden charmer.
What is a Shaker Blanket Chest?
A Shaker Chest is a wooden box designed with straight lines and highlighted with 2 to 3 raised panels on its front and back and 1 raised panel on each of its ends. This style results in a simple, yet modern and contemporary chest.
While a Shaker Chest’s appearance blends perfectly into the modern home, its beginnings date back to the late 1700s. In fact, this sleek blanket chest got its name, Shaker, from a charismatic group of people who left the Quakers around this time. This group of people was known as the Shakers and their beliefs emphasized simplicity, quality, and efficiency.
Thus, out of these beliefs, the Shakers crafted the very first Shaker Blanket Chest.
What are the Size Options of Shaker Blanket Chest?
The sizes of a Shaker Blanket Chest are based upon its number of panels, either two or three panels.
Typically, the size dimensions are the following:
- The dimensions of a two-panel Shaker Blanket Chest are: 33L x 16W x 18H
- The dimensions of a three-panel Shaker Blanket Chest are: 42L x 19W x 19
What Do You Put in a Shaker Blanket Chest?
A Shaker Blanket Chest provides a lovely and tasteful space for the following items:
- Blankets
- Linens
- Clothing
- Extra pillows
- Books
- Cooking utensils
- Keepsakes
- Family Heirlooms
- Jewelry boxes
- Carefully packaged documents
- Shoes
- Silverware
- Dishes
- Wedding clothes
- Emergency cash
What Woods are Best for a Shaker Blanket Chest? Why?
Traditionally, Shaker-style chests have been made from oak. Back when Shaker-type furniture came into existence oak was a very popular and common type of wood. As a result, much of the furniture in the Shaker style was made from oak wood.
How to Decorate a Shaker Blanket Chest?
Cherry, Maple, and many other wood types are now used to make Shaker-type furniture and they work equally as well as far as functionality is concerned.
If you prefer a bit more character than its simple and modern style, you have options!
You can decorate a Shaker Blanket Chest with the following 4 beautifying touches.
1. Paint
If you choose the painted maple you can pick between the colors black, grey, beige, or cream.
If you already have a Shaker Blanket Chest, you can paint it yourself with any color you desire.
View available colors here. Simply choose painted maple and your ideal number of panels and the available colors will appear.
Here is a helpful video on prepping a chest for painting if you already have a Shaker Blanket Chest.
2. Engraving
If you wish for a personalized touch to your Shaker Blanket Chest, you can include a custom-engraved nameplate. This decoration adds a memorable touch and can be coined with a special date, name, and occasion.
3. Carving
Are you skilled with wood carving? If so, you could personally add a decorative shape, words, or icon onto the Shaker Blanket Chest.
4. Old World Distressing
Finally, if you prefer a more vintage or antique look, you can choose old world distressing. This specialty finish changes the Shaker Blanket Chest’s exterior from sleek, simple, and clean to authentic, timeless, and old-fashioned.
What are the Best Uses of Shaker Blanket Chest?
The Shaker Blanket Chest makes quite a subtle, yet stunning statement in any room of the home.
Obviously, owning an additional and gorgeous storage space is the best use, however, this chest can easily be multi-purposed.
Here are some particularly ideal ways to use your Shaker Blanket Chest.
- Coffee Table – Place this chest in the center of your living room or in your extra sitting room.
- End Table – Set right beside your couch or your bed
- TV Console – Stunning as a secure spot to place your large wide-screen TV
- Window Seat – Add a soft cushion and set it underneath your favorite window for an extra seat in your home.
- Filing “Cabinet” – Add some filing folders and transform your stylish Shaker Blanket Chest into a handy and reliable filing cabinet.
For more ideas check out our blog on Creative Ways to Use a Cedar Chest. No worries, many of the ideas can apply to Shaker Blanket Chests too.
What are the Styles of Shaker Blanket Chest?
There are only two styles of the Shaker Blanket Chest, either with two panels or three panels. However, there is a chest similar in style to the Shaker Blanket Chest called a Classic Panel Chest.
The Classic Panel Chest also comes with panels and specifically 3 panels. This chest is also crafted out of cherry or oak.
The differences between the Classic Panel Chest and the Shaker Blanket Chest are:
Number of Panels
The Classic Panel Chest only comes with the option of 3 panels while the Shaker Blanket Chest comes with the option of two or three panels.
The Feet
The Shaker Blanket Chest comes with simple feet while the Classic Panel Chest comes with specially crafted ogee feet and molding. So, while a Shaker Blanket Chest appears more modern with its simple, straightforward design, the Classic Panel Chest holds a more vintage and colonial appearance.
The Price
Finally, the last difference between these two similar styles of chests is price.
The Classic Panel Chest is more expensive than the Shaker Blanket Chest. You can expect its price to be anywhere from approximately $275 – $370 more.
Check out the Classic Panel Chest and see for yourself the differences and the similarities between the two!
How Much Does a Shaker Blanket Chest Cost?
The price for a Shaker Blanket Chest is anywhere from approximately $660-$915. Plus, if you add special customization like old world distressing, chest lock, etc. the price could increase approximately $40 -$140 more.
Here is a brief recap of the factors affecting the cost of a Shaker Blanket Chest.
· Its Wood Type
Cherry is the most expensive wood type with painted maple coming in as the cheapest.
· Its Number of Panels
With the Shaker Blanket Chest the number of panels affects its size as well. Thus, a two-panel Shaker Blanket Chest will be cheaper than a three-panel Shaker Blanket Chest.
· Special Customization Options
The following are the special customizations that can affect the price of a Shaker Blanket Chest.
- Old World Distressing
- Chest Lock
- Cedar Sliding Tray
- Custom Engraved Name Plate
As previously mentioned, the addition of one of the above special customizations can increase the price of a Shaker Blanket Chest anywhere from approximately $40 – $140.
How to Design or Purchase Your Shaker Blanket Chest
Are you interested in purchasing a beautiful Shaker Blanket Chest of your own?
If so, the process of designing and purchasing your very own Shaker Chest is simple and straightforward.
Here are the helpful steps.
1. Find a Reputable Online Chest Company
2. Check out their Available Chests
3. Choose the Shaker Blanket Chest (or Shaker Chest)
4. Select Your Ideal Wood
5. Choose Your Number of Panels
6. Add Any Special Customizations
7. Order Your Shaker Blanket Chest!
Finally, enjoy owning a stunning and artfully crafted wooden box that will last you and your family generations of reliable and spectacular use!
Closing the Lid on the Shaker Blanket Chest
Hopefully, the above article helped answer your questions about the Shaker Blanket Chest.
If you feel confident that the Shaker Blanket Chest is the right style of chest for you, take a moment to thoroughly investigate our family-owned, Amish chest company, Amish Handcrafted.
Also, check out our Shaker Blanket Chest! If you have any questions, please contact us.
Otherwise, best wishes on securing your ideal Shaker Blanket Chest!
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