ᐅ How can I optimally install Ikea Metod cabinets in a space with limited storage?

Hello everyone,

I am currently facing the challenge of optimally installing Ikea Metod kitchen cabinets in an apartment with very limited storage space. The room measures just under 2.5 meters (8 feet 2 inches) in length, but has a full ceiling height of 2.4 meters (7 feet 10 inches). I plan to combine both wall cabinets and base cabinets, but want to minimize the footprint to maximize space efficiency.

A major topic for me is choosing the depth and width of the individual modules and their arrangement – for example, whether it’s better to use modular cabinets with standard depths (60cm (24 inches)) or if shallower solutions (37cm (15 inches) depth) make more sense. I am also wondering how pull-outs, inner drawers, or other storage solutions can be best integrated, especially considering the room height.

Does anyone have experience configuring the Metod series in very small kitchens? Are there clever tips on how to better use cabinet height to gain storage without making the space feel overcrowded? Which combinations of modules are particularly space-saving yet practical for everyday use?

I look forward to your suggestions, including concrete examples from your own experience. Thank you!

Hello koandrzej,

regarding your question about the optimal setup of Ikea Metod cabinets when space is limited, I would like to provide a more detailed answer. First, accurate room measurements are key: you mentioned a length of 2.5 m (8 feet 2 inches) and a height of 2.4 m (7 feet 10 inches), which is quite compact, so the modules need to be carefully planned.

- The standard depth of 60 cm (24 inches) for base cabinets is ideal for all countertops and appliances, but it can significantly reduce space in small kitchens. Shallower base cabinets with a depth of 37 cm (15 inches) can be an alternative, but keep in mind during planning that standard appliances like sinks, built-in ovens, or dishwashers usually require at least 60 cm (24 inches) depth; otherwise, installation problems may arise. A combined solution is possible: some parts 60 cm deep, others shallower for more room to move.

- For wall cabinets, it is sensible to use the full room height with taller modules (around 80–92 cm (31–36 inches)), as this makes optimal use of vertical space. Since the cabinet modules generally have a depth of 37 cm (15 inches), they take up little space while providing plenty of storage thanks to extra shelves or internal drawers.

- Especially in small kitchens, internal drawers or pull-outs are recommended since they make storage much more efficient. Installing organizer systems inside the cabinets, e.g., for baking trays, spices, or pots, can also greatly improve usability.

- Combining open shelving units or wall cabinets with glass sliding doors can both open up the room visually and add storage.

- In my experience, the countertop workspace should remain clear so that walkways are not obstructed. If you are building a kitchen along one wall, using different heights and a small seating area can help you get the most out of the space.

Are there any specific appliances you have planned, or are you using mostly standard electrical appliances? This could further influence the planning of cabinet depths and sizes.

In summary: Make full use of the height, vary cabinet depths where possible, and use internal pull-outs to organize smaller storage efficiently.

If you like, I can offer more detailed suggestions if you provide the exact measurements of your planned appliances.

Hi,

my tip: Use wall cabinets that reach all the way up to the ceiling and install pull-out drawers instead of shelves. This provides better organization and more storage space. Base cabinets should be 60 cm (24 inches) deep to easily accommodate appliances. Combinations with shallower cabinets are often complicated.

Hello koandrzej,

I completely understand that storage space in small kitchens can be a complex issue – I had a similar challenge in my 2.2 meter (7 ft 3 in) long kitchen.

One thought from my side: use wall cabinets with maximum height. Ikea offers 80 or 92 cm (31.5 or 36.2 inches) as standard heights for Metod modules, and you can extend them upwards with additional panels above. This way, you store items you use rarely at the very top – so you are already on a good path to fully utilize the vertical space.

bapar schrieb:
Especially in small kitchens, inner drawers or pull-outs are recommended, as they make storage space much more efficient to access.

I can only agree with this point; inner drawers make base cabinets much more accessible. For me, they are indispensable.

Also, I thought it might be easier if, when planning with Ikea, you don't just place single elements side by side in the standard way but also consider corner solutions (e.g., corner wall cabinet with a carousel) or the use of panels. These increase planning effort but are very helpful to make better use of the space.

Another idea: instead of using a continuous 60 cm (24 inches) depth for all base cabinets, you could plan the cooktop with 60 cm and have shallower cabinets next to it to keep flexibility. Especially in a 2.5 meter (8 ft 2 in) long kitchen, a few more centimeters of moving space can make using it much more comfortable.

Have you already thought about what your exact floor plan looks like? Sometimes the difference between a single line or an L-shape makes a huge difference.

koandrzej schrieb:
A major topic for me is choosing the depth and width of the individual modules as well as their arrangement – for example, whether it’s better to go with modular cabinets of standard depth (60 cm) or if shallower options (37 cm depth) make sense.

I actually find this question very interesting because it highlights a fundamental issue with the Ikea Metod system in small spaces. From my experience, Metod is primarily designed for standard kitchens with sufficient room.

If the space is only 2.5 m (8 feet) long, I would clearly recommend planning everything with 60 cm (24 inches) depth, especially if you include electrical appliances – there really is no alternative here. However, if the cooktop and sink can be arranged more space-efficiently, using 37 cm (15 inches) depth cabinets, at least for some of them, could be a clever, though less comfortable, solution since storage capacity in terms of depth will obviously be reduced.

That said, I would also fundamentally question whether the Ikea Metod system is really optimal here, or whether a custom-built solution might be more sensible to better and more flexibly adapt storage space to your small room. The Ikea approach is often underestimated when dealing with unusual layouts and limited volume.

bapar schrieb:
If you like, I can give you more detailed suggestions if you provide the exact dimensions of the planned electrical appliances.

That would be my suggestion, too: Without precise appliance measurements, it’s very difficult to offer concrete recommendations.

One last point: Ikea Metod is solid but doesn’t really allow for dimensional deviations or special modifications. If maximizing storage is the highest priority, the system will quickly reach its structural limits.