If you like the idea of a panelled, tailored look on your wardrobe doors rather than a single flat sheet of glass, Shaker is usually where the search ends up. It's the range we sell the most of, and it's built the same way every Bedrooms Plus sliding door has been built since 1980: to order, in the UK, on a British Steel frame. Here's what actually goes into a Shaker kit, and what to expect from order to delivery.
What makes a door "Shaker"?
The Shaker style takes its name from a much older furniture tradition built around simplicity and clean, honest joinery. On a sliding wardrobe door, that translates into a frame divided into panels — usually a 3 or 4-panel split — rather than one uninterrupted sheet of glass or mirror. Each panel sits within its own section of the frame, which gives the door visible structure and a bit of shadow-line depth, while still keeping the overall look understated. It works equally well in a traditional bedroom and a more contemporary one, which is a big part of why it's stayed our best-selling range.
Built on a British Steel frame
Every Shaker frame is constructed from British Steel. It's a heavier, more dimensionally stable choice than the lighter aluminium some competitors use, and over years of daily sliding it holds its shape and alignment better — which matters more than it sounds, because a frame that's shifted even slightly is usually the reason a door starts to stick or rattle on its track. The steel frame is available in a set of finishes, so you're choosing a colour rather than a material:
- White — a crisp, neutral frame that works with almost any panel colour
- Graphite — a darker charcoal tone for a more contemporary feel
- Cashmere — a warm, muted tone that pairs particularly well with wood-effect panels
- Light Grey — a softer middle ground between white and graphite
Panel options
Within the Shaker frame, the panels themselves are where you set the overall character of the wardrobe:
- Mirror — safety-backed mirror glass, the most popular choice for making a smaller bedroom feel brighter and more open
- Glass — white or coloured safety-backed glass for a cleaner, more contemporary finish, often mixed with mirror across the panel split
- Wood-effect — finishes such as Cashmere wood for a warmer look that reads more like traditional furniture than a glass-fronted wardrobe
Most Shaker kits split the panels 3 or 4 ways per door, and it's common to mix finishes across the split — mirror top and bottom with a central glass panel, for example — rather than running one finish the full height of the door.
Choosing your door count
Shaker kits are available as 2, 3 and 4-door configurations, and the right number comes down to your opening width and how much access you want behind each panel — a wider opening split into more, narrower doors generally slides more easily than fewer, heavier ones. We've written a full breakdown of how to choose between 2, 3 and 4 doors in this guide if you're still deciding.
Free UK delivery, on our own vans
Delivery is included in the price you're quoted — there's no separate delivery line added at checkout. Rather than handing your order to a third-party courier, sliding door kits go out on our own dedicated vans, because doors this size and this carefully made don't travel well through a general parcel network. You'll get advance notice of your delivery slot and a call around an hour before the van arrives.
Because every kit is handmade to order in the workshop rather than pulled from stock, lead time is typically 3-4 weeks (around 21-28 days) from the point of order for Mainland UK. If you're in the Scottish Highlands, Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland, delivery runs on a separate home furniture delivery service, usually 14-28 days.
Soft close, as standard or as an upgrade
A soft close mechanism brings the door gently to a stop at the end of its run rather than letting it slide and knock at full speed — worth having if the wardrobe is anywhere near a bedroom you actually sleep in. It's built into some Shaker kits and offered as a free upgrade on others, so it's worth checking the individual product page for your chosen design.
Measuring and ordering
Every door is made to your exact opening, not a standard size, so accurate measuring matters more than which finish you pick. A few things to have ready before you order:
- Measure the finished opening — height from floor to ceiling (or wherever the track will sit), and full width
- If your height or width vary slightly across the opening, use the smallest height and the largest width
- You'll need a clear depth of roughly 54cm from the back wall to the front of the panels — closer to 58cm if you're planning internal drawers
- Check nothing — radiators, door swings, light switches — intrudes into that depth
Our online design tool walks you through choosing a Shaker finish and entering your sizes to get a price, and a member of the team is always on hand if you'd rather talk it through first.
FAQs
What is a Shaker sliding wardrobe door?
A door built around a panelled, framed design — the frame is split into two or more sections, each holding its own mirror, glass or wood-effect panel, giving the door more depth and definition than a single flat panel.
Are Shaker sliding doors made from British Steel?
Yes — every Shaker frame uses British Steel, available in White, Graphite, Cashmere and Light Grey finishes.
Is delivery free on Shaker sliding wardrobe doors?
Yes, delivery is included in your order price and handled by our own dedicated vans UK-wide, with no separate charge at checkout.
How long does delivery take?
Typically 3-4 weeks (21-28 days) for Mainland UK, since every kit is handmade to order. Highlands, NI and ROI run on a separate service, usually 14-28 days.
Can I add soft close?
Yes — it's built in on some kits and offered as a free upgrade on others, so check the individual product page.
How many doors do I need?
As a rough guide, 2-door kits suit openings up to around 2000mm, 3-door kits 2000-3000mm, and 4-door kits 3000-4000mm — see our door count guide for more detail.
Ready to see prices for your space? Browse the full Shaker Sliding Wardrobe Doors range and use the design tool to enter your sizes and get a made-to-measure quote.