Amish Furniture: The Difference Between Shaker and Mission Styles

Not all Amish furniture is created equal. Many aspects make each piece unique compared to other kinds of handcrafted furniture. The two main styles of Amish furniture are Shaker and Mission. Each has a fascinating history, and their characteristics stand out from other options.

We’ve put together a comparison to better explain the differences between each style. We hope this guide will make choosing between Shaker and Mission furniture easier. Both fit into the Amish culture of simple, beautiful, and functional pieces. However, they offer physical attributes that make them easily distinguishable. You might just fall in love with the characteristics of both.

The History of Shaker Furniture

The Shakers were originally a group who broke off from the English Quakers. Considered to be radicals during that time, the Shakers adopted the name through religious worship that included shaking of the hands, arms, and head. They called themselves a much more formal name – the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Coming. After the group left the Church of England, they came to the United States in the 1770s and settled into communities that followed strict rules, which set them apart from the mainstream culture.

Their self-sufficient communities relied on the land and hard work to survive. Though they thrived in these groups, the Shakers stuck close to their principles of simplicity and humility. These areas of practice could even be seen in their furniture style.

Ornamentation was seen as sinful, often promoting pride. Shakers avoided using finishes classified as “faux” because they were considered deceitful. This meant simple furniture was created to meet their basic needs. It eventually became a sought-after style used in many homes today.

The History of Mission Furniture

Mission furniture came long after Shaker furniture took over the scene. It wasn’t until the 19th century that Mission furniture arrived, thanks to the rise of the Arts and Crafts movement. Joseph McHugh, a New York furniture maker, released a line of rustic furniture featuring simple design elements for the Swedenborgian Church of the New Jerusalem in San Francisco. Many believed these pieces made the church look similar to the Spanish missions that filled California many years ago.

The name stuck when another designer, Gustav Stickley, released his version of simple, handcrafted pieces. Mission furniture remained the popular trend until the 1930s. Today, hints of Mission furniture shine through in many modern pieces. They reflect the simplicity and beautiful craftsmanship that made the style famous.

Differences Between Shaker vs. Mission Furniture

Shaker and Mission furniture offer identifying stylistic differences – you just have to know what you’re looking for.

Shaker furniture can be identified by its round wooden knobs, tapered legs and subtle curves. These features give Shaker furniture its traditional, gentle look. While maple wood seemed to be the wood of choice for most historical Shaker pieces, the modern versions include pine, maple, cherry, or other American woods. Amishoutletstore.com features Shaker-style furniture in beds, bedroom sets, baby furniture, and dining room sets.

One of the more popular pieces of Shaker furniture is the Shaker chair. Traditionally made as lightweight as possible, the chairs had a seat woven from natural materials. This way, the chair could be hung on the walls until needed. The additional pegs around the chair’s base—seen as a style feature today—were originally intended to keep the chairs off the ground. The chair is also designed at an angle, so it’s comfortable to sit in and easy to get in and out of.

Shop Shaker Furniture

Here is a breakdown of a few of the characteristics now seen as style, but had convenient purposes for the Shaker people.

Tapering

Seen as a beautiful and straightforward style feature, tapering kept the furniture as light as possible. This allowed them to be moved out of the way when not in use or during cleaning.

Turnings

Similar to tapering, turnings help remove excessive materials to make a piece lighter. Turned legs were created to offer the same results. In some cases, tapering and turning could be done to the same piece of furniture.

Wooden Pulls and Knobs

Shakers used wood – rather than flashy glass or metal – as their primary material for knobs and handles. This not only helped keep the furniture simple but also meant they could use one supply source to complete the piece.

Plain, Clean Wood

You won’t find veneers, inlays, or other woodwork in Shaker furniture. These elements were left out to showcase their humble lifestyles and to use the furniture because of its functionality and durability. Dovetails, especially half-blind dovetails, which can only be seen when a drawer is open, are also a key feature of these pieces.

Pegs could also stabilize legs on a table, but it would be done with the same kind of wood, so they wouldn’t be able to show off their design skills.

Graduated Drawers

Drawers that are largest at the bottom and get smaller at the top are a popular characteristic of Shaker furniture. Even this has a practical purpose: storing heavier items at the bottom of the dresser. It’s also naturally appealing to the viewer because it draws the eye upward.

 

While it takes some inspiration from shaker furniture, Mission is a style that is all its own. Sturdy slats, stable legs, and straight angles are often seen throughout Mission furniture. Mission hardware is also distinct from Shaker’s. It is usually black, metal or features diamond knobs.

This furniture style is often made from oak, but other woods are also used. Regardless of the type of wood, the straight lines and flat planes this style is known for often highlight the natural wood grains. It’s generally seen as more formal than Shaker furniture, although its simple design makes it a favorite of people who like both styles. Amishoutletstore.com features Mission furniture in rocking chairs, bookcases, coffee table sets, and more.

Rise of the Craftsman

While not a furniture feature, the rise of the Arts and Crafts movement impacted Mission-style furniture. It was a reaction to the opulence and overproduction of Traditional furniture. Now, workers could break free from being bogged down in a factory and take some pride in a handmade product. Since this concept of a craftsman rose when Mission furniture became popular, these pieces—while still plain and functional—were exceptionally well-made. Many factory-manufactured goods were low-quality, so the demand for handcrafted furniture rose as the country prospered.

Darker Stains

Mission furniture often features a darker stain than earlier versions of shaker furniture. Even though it’s sometimes more ornamented than shaker furniture, it still calls for simplicity. Many designers encourage little to no ornate art on the walls or carpeting.

Exposed Joinery

Here is where functionality and durability meet style. Mission furniture often uses exposed mortise-and-tenon joints, which are incredibly strong and beautiful.

Parallel Slats

Another distinct feature of Mission furniture is the parallel slats, which give the visual appearance of strength. The uniform lines and harmonious pieces can be tedious to create, but they reflect the true appreciation for the craftsmanship that mission furniture is known for.

Open slat styles can also make a heavy piece of furniture appear lighter. The illusion and style of these slats are very common and are often requested for mission furniture.

Leather

You might encounter a few pieces of mission furniture with leather seating or small design elements. While not incredibly common, the simplicity and natural element of leather fit in well with the mission style.

Shop Mission Furniture

Great Characteristics of Both Styles

While it’s easy to compare the differences between Shaker and Mission furniture, don’t forget the characteristics they share. If you are still undecided about what style of furniture you are looking for, these features may help you see how great each one can be.

Durability

Shaker and Mission furniture is durable and long-lasting. It is meant to be used every day and should become a natural fit in your home. The natural elements and handcrafted workmanship will last for years. Some of these pieces are also passed down from generation to generation, proof of their quality.

Color

The color palettes of mission and Shaker stained wood furniture make excellent pieces for your home. If you’re looking for furniture that’s lighter in color, Shaker furniture is a great option. Shaker furniture typically has a light wood finish, using materials like maple, cherry, or pine.

If you want bold furniture that stands out or something dark to match the rest of your home’s aesthetic, mission furniture is your option. Mission furniture makers use dark stains on thick pieces of wood. You’ll find mission furniture in colors like deep, dark brown or nearly black.

Functionality

Shaker and Mission furniture are incredibly functional styles. Many pieces are made to help with storage, whether it’s a hope chest waiting to be filled to the brim or a bed with extra storage space underneath. Drop-down desks, dressers, and other furniture made specifically for storage are not only functional but beautifully designed.

While you might not want to hang your shaker chair on the wall like the early settlers did, both styles offer plenty of functionality. Move them around for easy storage or cleaning, or find other ways to take advantage of these pieces’ functionality.

Natural Elements

These beautiful handcrafted pieces maintain their natural elements. Wooden furniture looks gorgeous in many homes and fits many design schemes. While one piece often looks great in a house, designing a room or home around these natural pieces truly brings the style together. Embrace the simplistic, natural features of shaker and mission furniture for a clean look.

Simplicity

Clean lines are far from boring. Instead, the Shaker and Mission styles have proven classic, lasting beyond the centuries. A modern look with a handcrafted touch helps these styles appeal to many people. Incorporating them into a home design is easy, and the relaxed, beautiful look will be one you cherish for a long time.

Not many people can say they have handmade furniture in their home. Shaker and Mission furniture were designed with the utmost care so that resources wouldn’t be wasted and the furniture could last more than a few years. Enjoy the craftsmanship that these two furniture styles offer. Instead of filling your home with cookie-cutter factory pieces, consider how a crafted piece of furniture might benefit you.

Choosing the Right Style for You

If you’re still having trouble choosing between Shaker and Mission-style furniture, we hope these suggestions help you narrow down your choices.

Shaker furniture works well for people who appreciate simple, clean lines and furniture that has a rustic, country feel. With its often lighter stain, Shaker furniture works well with a variety of décor items and can help brighten a space. Rather than feeling or looking heavy, the light furniture is great for someone who wants easy-to-move furnishing or who appreciates the brighter look.

Mission furniture is for those who want a look that is both bold and simple. Mission furniture is far from boring. Often a bit darker, mission furniture doesn’t always mix seamlessly with other styles. It works well with little to no added decorations, but just a few accent items could contribute to its rustic, crafty side.

Explore What Amish Outlet Store Has for You

Once you know which furniture style best meets your needs, let AmishOutletStore.com help you find the right pieces or complete sets to put in your home. Browse our wide selection of Shaker and Mission furniture options, or have a sales representative help you choose the best style for your home.

No matter which style you choose, AmishOutletStore.com provides the high-quality craftsmanship that signifies shaker and mission furniture. Choose from stains that include Seely, Michaels, and Acres. If you need help envisioning the look, use our online design tool to mix and match different wood types or stains for other color palettes. Get lost in being your own interior designer and imagine how you’d feel with these stunning pieces in your home.

When you’ve found the right look, order your new Antique Mission bedroom furniture online or by calling us at 330-669-9919.