[xtac]

Doing my new kitchen research and I'm hearing that ikea kitchens are really popular now.

Design wise they seem decent, but is it like all other furniture particle board type stuff?

Custom cabinets are super expensive, but how do they compare to big box stores?

[junkbox]

I know when we think of quality we do not think of Ikea, however I have heard great feedback on their kitchens. I don't think it's the cheap stuff. Aren't they 25 year warrantied as well?

[Lups]

Originally Posted by xtac

Doing my new kitchen research and I'm hearing that ikea kitchens are really popular now.

Design wise they seem decent, but is it like all other furniture particle board type stuff?

Custom cabinets are super expensive, but how do they compare to big box stores?

I've done several, and also those super shiny expensive ones.

Ikeas are easy to put together, the quality of parts is great and they have thought how to make life more simple for the installer.

I'm not a fan of their handles but those and the table tops you can buy from an other place like i did.

[Dang3r]

Done some too, but more the expensive ones. The more money was every time worth the longer utilization of it.
Only thing to mention is, that when you are not happy with the delivered electric components and want to change the brands (e.g. from Siemens to Bosch) than the prices raises improperly because IKEA oviously has to recalculate the efforts for changing their cost accounting.
Aside from that the size of my kitchen is a bit special caused by the stupid installation of the water and waste lines so I need everytime a custom build and also custom cabinets. Those are everytime a nice (but also expensive) detail.

[Lups]

Originally Posted by Dang3r

Done some too, but more the expensive ones. The more money was every time worth the longer utilization of it.
Only thing to mention is, that when you are not happy with the delivered electric components and want to change the brands (e.g. from Siemens to Bosch) than the prices raises improperly because IKEA oviously has to recalculate the efforts for changing their cost accounting.
Aside from that the size of my kitchen is a bit special caused by the stupid installation of the water and waste lines so I need everytime a custom build and also custom cabinets. Those are everytime a nice (but also expensive) detail.

Lol, yeah, i forgot to mention i always have gotten the appliances from an other shop.

[Chihuahua]

Originally Posted by xtac

Doing my new kitchen research and I'm hearing that ikea kitchens are really popular now.

Design wise they seem decent, but is it like all other furniture particle board type stuff?

Custom cabinets are super expensive, but how do they compare to big box stores?

Just did one. We're very happy with the results, and everyone that comes over complements us on how nice everything looks. Cabinet quality is slightly above typical builder grade, but obviously not as good as all wood custom cabinets. Installation processes and hardware are completely alien to anything you'd get from a big box store, so it takes a little bit of planning before you dive in. PM me with whatever specific questions you have, I'm happy to answer.

[RABAUKE]

I've done a ton or kitchens, for myself and other people. I keep coming back to the Ikea cabinets. Yup they are particle board, but for the money you can't go wrong. Most people will want to redo the kitchen in about 10-15 years so unless you have cash to burn I just do see spending the money on custom as it can easily double or triple the cost. I did my current kitchen three years ago, and am very happy with it. I don't buy appliances from them which isn't a problem as appliances are standard sizes. The other thing you might want to look at is "hacks", there are a bunch of websites that have hacks for Ikea products and you can get some great ideas for how to use their stuff in creative ways for other than their intended purpose. I spent about $2500 on my cabinets and counter tops, which my wife wants to eventually replace with white marble, this kitchen (picture attached) was all in $20,000 with 36" wolf stove, Jenn Air refrigerator, and copper sink. I did all the work myself but if you're handy you can't touch it for value. Good Luck.

[Lups]

Originally Posted by RABAUKE

I've done a ton or kitchens, for myself and other people. I keep coming back to the Ikea cabinets. Yup they are particle board, but for the money you can't go wrong. Most people will want to redo the kitchen in about 10-15 years so unless you have cash to burn I just do see spending the money on custom as it can easily double or triple the cost. I did my current kitchen three years ago, and am very happy with it. I don't buy appliances from them which isn't a problem as appliances are standard sizes. The other thing you might want to look at is "hacks", there are a bunch of websites that have hacks for Ikea products and you can get some great ideas for how to use their stuff in creative ways for other than their intended purpose. I spent about $2500 on my cabinets and counter tops, which my wife wants to eventually replace with white marble, this kitchen (picture attached) was all in $20,000 with 36" wolf stove, Jenn Air refrigerator, and copper sink. I did all the work myself but if you're handy you can't touch it for value. Good Luck.

I was standing in my kitchen when i saw these photos.

Okay, I'll clean it, but I'm blaming the bloody kids for leaving everything on the countertops!

[rcracin]

Did my kitchen 5 years ago with ikea cabinets. Affordable, nice looking, and has held up very well so far. The plastic legs seemed a little sketchy but it's holding up my granite tops just fine.

I'll do ikea cabinets again when i buy a house. Custom cabinets just arent worth the extra cost to me.

[///M Power-Belgium]

My kitchen is custom made from solid oak . A kitchen is daily used and that's why it needs to be wear-resistant .
Personal I'm pretty sure Ikea is crap .

[radiofrequency]

I have remodeled several kitchens, and have probably made all of the mistakes one can make in this type of endeavor, however, I have learned a great deal in the process. I love a great kitchen, and spend a lot of time working in my kitchen. I've had everything from manufactured cabinets to custom cabinets built specifically for me by a carpenter. If you take a look at Ikea Kitchens, not only do they look great, but the quality is certainly there. I spent some time looking at their drawers, nothing cheap a kitchen out quicker than a cheaply built shitty drawer - Ikea's drawers, IMHO, are overbuilt - great for he customer. There is a significant difference in quality when one compares their kitchen product to their other offerings. Here's what I learned, hopefully this can provide you with some guidance and a little help:

Firstly, kitchens are a significant item when it comes to resale, and the upside is that a great kitchen can sell a potential buyer on a home, quickly, if done correctly. You can easily get a return of a $1.50 to $2.50 on each $ you spend on a kitchen, if it's done right. Secondly, if you plan to stay in the home, a nice kitchen is a great place to hang out, think about it, you probably spend more time in your kitchen than anywhere else in your home (other than where you sleep!). PS: Wives love a nice kitchen even if they don't cook!

Fundamentally, it comes down to design, if you're going with an Ikea kitchen, you have to go to the store with your measurements, sit down with their design kit and establish exactly which cabinets go where. No one at the store will help you with this (it's their business model, not bad customer service). My advice is to give yourself an entire day, with no interruptions, during the week, to get this done if you're going the DYI route. This is how you purchase an Ikea kitchen. If you know what you want, my advice is to utilize a design service, I promise you that this is the best way to go, as it will save you time and a lot of aggravation - these guys are really good at getting your design done: https://www.modernfamilykitchens.com/#main (no affiliation).

The next step is installation, it's not as easy as it looks. Again, if time is no object, you can get it done. Professional Installers hate Ikea kitchens as they can't make a markup on the cabinets (because you ordered those directly from Ikea.....), so you will have to endure a lot of abuse from these folks during the process if you choose to use them. I found a good carpenter to do mine, it will just take a little time to search for a decent carpenter, some guys do this work on the weekends to supplement their income - FYI. Countertops can be an issue, nothing wrong with Ikea countertops, but a countertop can make or break a kitchen. If you want to save money go to the smaller granite yards and check their product out. Not only will you find a great product there, but if you speak to the owners, they will most likely be able to direct you to someone who will cut the granite and perform the install for you - this installer guy typically knows someone who can get you backsplash (tile) done, and that guys knows someone who can get your sink installed - you get the picture - it's a tribe. I have used a tribe of this nature for four remodels now, I know these guys, I treat them well and their work is simply incredible.

You will probably need an electrician, go for some LED under cabinet lighting, a small price to pay for a cool feature. In my latest kitchens I have gone with Sub Zero Appliances and, for the range and hood used Capital Culinarian. The Capital Culinarian range is what you buy if you need/want a product that a Chef would use - I love their stuff, high quality and makes cooking pleasurable. The Ikea appliances are good and competitively priced.

Take a gander at this link, you can learn a lot from it: https://chezsabine.com/2013/03/16/fo...ou-should-see/

I've added pics of my latest kitchen remodel, with this one I used the existing cabinets with some modifications and also had them painted for a more contemporary look.

Good luck!

[RABAUKE]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

My kitchen is custom made from solid oak . A kitchen is daily used and that's why it needs to be wear-resistant .
Personal I'm pretty sure Ikea is crap .

A lot of Ikea stuff is crap, someone once said that Ektorp is Swedish for uncomfortable. Having said that, for the money the quality is there. I've done several Ikea kitchens and I've never had an issue with them standing up to daily use, heavy daily use for that matter. The hinges and drawer sliders are very similar to every other manufacturer, with soft close features. I usually go for different drawer pulls and handles and spend my money on the flooring, appliances and fixtures. As i said in my post many people get 10-15 years out of a kitchen before they remodel. I hate to see tons of money spent on solid oak cabinets only to have them end up in a dumpster. Tearing out an Ikea kitchen when it's time to remodel isn't a big issue. The cabinets are warrantied for something like 25 years if I recall. My sister in law paid more for one solid oak cabinet than I paid for all the cabinets and counter tops in my current kitchen.

But if you can afford to spend that kind of money good for you, life is about choices. I doubt your solid oak boxes will see much more wear than the boxes that I have in my kitchen as it's really the hinges, sliders and counter tops that take the wear.

[Tarpon]

Did my kichen a few years ago and still very happy with the product. I did all of the assembly and install myself except for help from my Father in law with the final detail trim and panels.
Assembly is a breeze once you get started . I was very impressed with the upper cabinet mounting system and I was able to hang them by myself. I also liked the the on line design program. Your able to measure and design your space. I used it to my limit then the Ikea clerk helped me tweek and finalize the kitchen. Chose a quartz counter top and love it.
My biggest gripe was picking up the cabinetry and other items that they have to pick for you. It took several hours. So don't do it on a weekend. Take a day during the week each time you go and it will save you time and aggravation.
I also got all of my appliances from HD. Free delivery, install and they take your old ones away too.

[Banana Hammock]

I think some people are too quick to generalize when it comes to Ikea and their quality. Not everything they make is from MFD and if you spend some time and poke around, you'll find stuff made of solid wood that are actually really well made.

[tracer bullet]

You've probably got your answer but FWIW, I've been around Ikea and custom and you simply get what you pay for. If you have a reasonably inexpensive house (200k) go for the Ikea, it's surprisingly decent. If you have a 500k house or higher then don't cheap out, if nothing else the next buyer may notice it and it can affect their decision.

I like solid wood stiles and rails, drawer faces, cabinet doors, shelves, etc. But for the sides a particle board with veneer is fine.

Get a chance to open and close doors and drawers for anything you consider buying, make sure they feel good to you (i.e. self closing, cushioning instead of banging when shut).

[3 Stripes]

Here is my remodel. Pics taken before all of the trim was put in. I would recommend for a lower end home.

[Lups]

The best instructor in kitchen renovations I've ever had is my mother-in-law.

Just a few of her fuck ups:

*She painted her kitchen cabins dark blue. Looked great, especially when i realized she had flashlights all over the kitchen so she could see in her pantry.

* she got a shiny white all over to replace it, installed extra lights over the shiny counter tops. She couldn't see a thing in there since light was always in her eyes.

* she spent a fortune on an oak kitchen that had zero space to cook in.

* she put all the dishes to upper cabins to her next one, and had a handy ladder to fetch them for a year until she gave up.

I don't put in upper cabinets at all. And all i have in mine are drawers, i have an excellent lighting and I refuse to do boring kitchens, plus of course: My mother-in-law is not allowed anywhere near the area I'm building or renovating.

[Nachbar]

Done mine 7 years ago. Still looks brand new and everything is working how it should.

This is Swiss Style

[jlstyle]

I've done few ikea kitchens and below is my house using all ikea cabinets.


I used nicer appliances with custom door pulls and everyone was quite surprised when I told them cabinets are from ikea. Hardware wise, Ikea uses one of nicer hardware than other big box stores. Porcelanosa uses blum hardwares and Ikea uses them too.
Only thing I don't like is the door panels are quite fragile unless you pick veneer ones. But who cares, panels are so cheap, I can always replace.
Most important thing to make Ikea kitchen look high end is to have PERFECT alignment on every edge and joints. As long as you do this, it will look much more expensive than they are. FYI, I did my kitchen for only $20,000 and $11,000 was for appliances, $5,800 for 110 sqft of counter top area. (I did waterfall side on all exposed sides). Good luck!

[xtac]

Originally Posted by jlstyle

I've done few ikea kitchens and below is my house using all ikea cabinets.


I used nicer appliances with custom door pulls and everyone was quite surprised when I told them cabinets are from ikea. Hardware wise, Ikea uses one of nicer hardware than other big box stores. Porcelanosa uses blum hardwares and Ikea uses them too.
Only thing I don't like is the door panels are quite fragile unless you pick veneer ones. But who cares, panels are so cheap, I can always replace.
Most important thing to make Ikea kitchen look high end is to have PERFECT alignment on every edge and joints. As long as you do this, it will look much more expensive than they are. FYI, I did my kitchen for only $20,000 and $11,000 was for appliances, $5,800 for 110 sqft of counter top area. (I did waterfall side on all exposed sides). Good luck!

Could you post a picture? I heard good things about porcelanosa too.
The alignment could be tricky since you have to design the thing yourself. Did you install it yourself?

[Chihuahua]

Nachbar, that is one beautiful kitchen! Nice work.

[Nachbar]

Originally Posted by Chihuahua

Nachbar, that is one beautiful kitchen! Nice work.

Thanks man! 2 days work (all alone) and $14000