Buying an IKEA Kitchen? - (What to Know Before You Start)

IKEA is famous for its simplistic contemporary furniture design that can be easily shipped and self-assembled. They even employ in-store kitchen design consultants to help you with your kitchen design or remodel. We’ve taken several user questions from around the web and gotten some answers for you to consider before engaging IKEA with help for your kitchen.

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How much does an IKEA kitchen cost?

That depends on the type of kitchen you choose. IKEA has a few different options. The complete kitchen remodel is called the SEKTION kitchen. For this kitchen, you might pay about $10 to $15k for all the materials and $3,000 to $5,000 for the labor.

This price can vary depending on the type of material you purchase and the size of your kitchen.

Check out the rough breakdown of the cost for your complete IKEA kitchen below.

I’ve left out some miscellaneous accessories you can purchase, such as countertop lighting, interior cabinet lighting, remote controls for lighting, and more. These don’t tend to break the bank.

Doors and drawer fronts – from about $1,000 to $3,000
Cover panels for your doors – $25 to $265 per door
Decorative paneling – $25 to $100 for about 7 feet of decorative molding
Cabinet toe kicks or legs – about $25 per unit, some legs come in packs
Exterior cabinet lighting – about $25 per light
Countertops – laminate, wood, or quartz. Anywhere from $50 to about $250 for about every 7 feet of countertop. At the lower end you can buy laminate countertops, and at the higher end, you can buy thick veneer wood countertops.
Custom countertops – $50-70 per square foot
Sinks – $40 to $300
Faucets – $40 to $200
Cabinets – $20 to $100 per cabinet frame, depending on the type of cabinet. (Cost of labor approximately triples this price)
Open shelving – about $35 – $80 per unit
Drawers – $90-$110 per unit
Shelves – $10-$20 per pack
Hinges and fittings – about $10 to $40 per pack
Interior fittings and organizers – $5 to $10 per unit
Knobs and handles – $5 to $10 per pair

For a complete buyer’s guide that details the cost of IKEA’s kitchens, click on this link.

Are IKEA kitchens worth it?

For the price, IKEA kitchens are definitely worth it, especially because of their cabinet pricing. On custom cabinets alone, you can spend anywhere from around $4,000 to $25,000. $25,000 is almost as much as the entire kitchen installation! But IKEA’s cabinets are on the lower end of that price range.

Also, you will work with a professional installation team that will handle all aspects of your kitchen installation, from cabinets to doorknobs. Typically, you’d have to contact different companies for each installation. This can take a lot of time and burn a hole through your wallet, too. But you won’t have to go through that hassle with IKEA.

Is IKEA kitchen cheaper than Home Depot?

Most Home Depot kitchens cost between $20,000 and $25,000 while IKEA kitchens cost between $15,000 and $20,000. But, don’t let the lower price imply lower quality. It’s true that you have to build IKEA cabinets yourself and they aren’t very customizable. But most people prefer the quality, ease of installation, and great features of IKEA’s cabinets compared to Home Depot’s.

Is IKEA kitchen installation expensive?

IKEA kitchen installation is not very expensive at all. You will pay between $3,000 and $5,000 for the installation price of your IKEA kitchen. The bulk of this price is due to the cabinetry, which needs to be built.

If you have countertops, extra features, and knobs or hinges that require installation, you will be at the higher end of this price range. Otherwise, you’ll pay around $3,000.

Are IKEA kitchens high quality?

For the price, IKEA kitchens are of great quality. They have a range of options for every part of your kitchen, but it’s best to invest in the more expensive materials and hardware. Always remember that relative to a custom kitchen remodel, you are paying a third of that price or even less.

So it’s not a bad idea to “indulge” in the higher-quality IKEA materials so your kitchen lasts longer. It may prevent you from investing in costly repairs down the line.

Does IKEA have solid wood cabinets?

There are four product lines of IKEA doors and drawers that are made with solid wood: LAXARBY (birch), BJORKET (birch), FILIPSTAD (oak), and EKESTAD (oak or ash).

IKEA’s SEKTION cabinets are made of medium-density fiberboard (MDF) and melamine foil. MDF is a dense, durable wood composite that is great for painting and building, and melamine foil is a laminate that contains no real wood.

How long does an IKEA kitchen remodel take?

If you install the entire kitchen yourself and have a fair amount of time on your hands, the installation will take about 2 weeks. It may take more or less time depending on how handy you are. If you hire a professional installer from IKEA’s team, they can have your kitchen completed in a week – or even a few days.

You also have to factor in planning. Planning your remodel includes:

Deciding what areas of your kitchen you want to remodel
Working with a designer (or yourself) to finish the kitchen design
Requesting a quote for the installation and materials
Buying those materials and getting them to your home

This can take about seven to 10 days or more if you stay focused on the remodel.

Can I install an IKEA kitchen myself?

IKEA kitchens are designed to be installed by you. Their efficient designs and well-coordinated products make IKEA a top choice for any DIY-er. If you’re not comfortable installing the kitchen yourself, IKEA has a professional team that can complete the installation for you, top to bottom.

Will IKEA cut your countertops?

Yes, IKEA can cut countertops to any length you’d like. They can cut premade laminate or wood countertops to any size. Or, you can invest in custom quartz countertops for your new kitchen. With each slab of countertop that you purchase, you’ll get two edging strips as well.

How many times a year does IKEA have a kitchen sale?

IKEA runs its kitchen sale about four times a year. It lasts for about six weeks. This discount applies to new kitchen purchases of $2,000 or higher. It includes cabinets, countertops, lighting, doors, appliances, and much more.

Is IKEA kitchen design free?

Prior to installation, IKEA’s planning and design services are free. They include:

Kitchen measurement – an IKEA professional will come to your home to measure your kitchen. They’ll enter the measurements into the IKEA Home Planner where you can map out the design and cost of your project. The measurement cost is refunded once you install your IKEA kitchen.

IKEA Home planner – This is a neat online tool that generates a 3D model of your kitchen as you add the products and materials. It also calculates the cost as you craft your new kitchen. You can bring it to an IKEA store and discuss it with an experienced representative there to get some great advice for your new design.

Consultation from your home or in the store – 90-minute online appointment or two-hour appointment in IKEA where you will get professional help using the IKEA Home Planner. You can discuss every detail of your plan no matter how small. Be sure to 1) measure your space and 2) choose your products and materials before booking this appointment.

Learn more about IKEA’s kitchen remodel services at this link.

Which IKEA kitchen is the best?

IKEA has three popular “kitchen systems,” SEKTION, KNOXHULT, and SUNNERSTA.

SEKTION kitchens are the most customizable of the three. This is the best option if you are after your dream kitchen and you would like to have more flexibility and choices.

KNOXHULT is a more low-budget, minimalist kitchen. It features affordable products that are easy to assemble and install.

The final kitchen system, SOMMERSTA, is best for ultra-small single-wall kitchens. This kitchen is highly mobile, affordable, and incredibly easy to assemble.

What should you not buy at IKEA?

IKEA offers some high-quality products at an affordable price, but a few just are not up to par based on reviews we found. Here are 10 products from IKEA that you’re better off avoiding or purchasing elsewhere.

Spatulas, whisks, and other utensils
Knives
Glassware
MALM dresser
Comforters
Bed frames
Luggage
Step ladders or step stools
Plastic cutting boards
LAGAN Microwave

Do IKEA cabinets have Formaldehyde?

None of the paint and lacquers that IKEA sells contain formaldehyde. IKEA is dedicated to reducing formaldehyde emissions, particularly in the glue used to make wood products. All IKEA suppliers must show that they are in compliance with IKEA’s safe formaldehyde levels before the products are sent to stores.

Are IKEA cabinets cheaper than Lowes?

IKEA cabinets are on average a little more affordable than most Lowes cabinets. The main difference is that Lowes’ cabinets come pre-assembled. Although it saves you time on the installation, Lowe’s cabinets can be difficult to transport.

Conclusion

Hopefully, you’re now more informed about IKEA kitchens and products so you can make better decisions. IKEA kitchen design consultants can really help you get moving on a great design with high functionality. Be sure to come prepared with questions and thoughts about how your kitchen needs to serve your situation.