IKEA Kitchen Update – What Worked & Regrets
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It’s been a few years since I completed my Ikea kitchen and decided it was time to give an update. For the most part I still love it, but I do have a few regrets. Are you looking to do a kitchen reno? Even if you aren’t planning on using Ikea cabinets, you might want to consider the benefit of my experience.
Ikea Kitchen Update...Cabinets Feature Flexibility...
One of my favorite features of Ikea cabinets is their flexibility. I used the Bodbyn style cabinet doors & drawers.
- Cabinet and under-cabinet lighting is my #1 favourite feature.
- Shelf placement can be adjusted to different heights.
- Shelves are available in glass or MDF.
- Extra “hidden” drawers are an option.
- Variations of cabinets with doors, shelves and interior drawers are also available.
- Even the height of corner cabinet carousels are adjustable.,
Ikea Kitchen Update...compatible accessories...
Ikea cabinet drawers have angled sides so regular drawer organizers don’t fit as well. They have bamboo and plastic organizers to choose from that will fit perfectly. The bamboo ones are a lot more expensive of course.
I also love the pull-out trash bins that now have hinged lids and a separate “ring” to hold the bags in. My pullout recycling bins were not from Ikea so I had to make sure that they would fit.
Another feature I love is the pull-out utility rack in the utility cabinet. With some S-hooks from the dollar sto,re I modified it to hold all my Norwex cloths too.
General Kitchen Regrets...
Although I love the look of my white farmhouse sink, it is one of my regrets. White sinks are very hard to keep clean. It got a crack a few months after it was put in, and although it doesn’t affect it’s function, I know it’s there. Because it is a hard surface, I have also lost a few wine glasses. If I were to do it again, I would choose stainless steel.
When I bought my house I thought it would be my forever home so I didn’t mind spending a little more to get what I wanted. I splurged on a granite countertop and unfortunately that is also a regret. A good-quality laminate could have given a similar look for a fraction of the cost. It also wouldn’t be as noisy or as hard on wineglasses.
Another regret I have was buying the wrong size of fridge initially. A few years ago I switched it out to a counter-depth one that didn’t take as much floor space. Relocating the fridge to the pantry “wall” opened the crowded space by the garage door. Changing it out to a counter-depth fridge also saved some floor space. I do like the water feature on the fridge too, and made a trap door to access the waterline.
*Make sure you allow access points for plumbing. See Ikea Kitchen Makeover Stages One & Two to see my trap door fot the fridge waterline.
Other kitchen Features I Love...
When I redesigned the layout I moved the dishwasher to the middle of the peninsula. It allows me easy access to put glasses away in the cabinet and cutlery in the drawers. And I can open it without bumping into the oven door.
When I finally had the floor done to finish off the kitchen reno, I had heated floors installed. It was always cold there before and now it is lovely on the feet on cold days.
You can watch the video below...
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