ᐅ How can I install Ikea Metod kitchen units in a space-saving way?

Good morning everyone, I am planning a new kitchen using Ikea Metod and have some uncertainties about how to design the kitchen layout in the most space-saving way. I’m not only concerned about the overall width or length but also about the optimal arrangement of cabinets and work surfaces to make the best use of the available space.

Specifically, I am interested in:
- Which modules or combinations are especially efficient for small or narrow rooms?
- Are there smart solutions for storage below or above the work surface to keep the kitchen compact?
- What options are available for frequently used elements like the sink and stove, without taking up too much room?

I have done some research, but many tips are quite general. Who has experience with Metod and can offer specific recommendations, including advice on common installation methods or replacing baseboards/ skirting boards that affect usable space? Thanks in advance!

Hello kinsolvi, I’d be happy to provide you with a structured overview on how to set up your Ikea Metod kitchen units in a space-saving way.

1. Planning in advance: Measure your room precisely and take door swings and windows into account. Use Ikea’s planning software to help fit the modules accurately.

2. Module selection: For small kitchens, narrow base units starting from 20cm (8 inches) wide are recommended, combined with tall cabinets to make good use of vertical space.

3. Corner solutions: Instead of traditional corner cabinets, use corner carousels or pull-out pantry units to create storage that is otherwise hard to access.

4. Use wall cabinets up to the ceiling: This maximizes your storage and helps keep floor space clear.

5. Toe kick depth: With Metod, you can adjust or replace the standard toe kicks with shallower ones to gain more foot space.

6. Sink and stove placement: Avoid placing them directly next to each other; if necessary, choose compact sink units.

I often correct the mistake of people trying to build everything with wide modules, which often wastes space in depth.

If you like, feel free to post a floor plan, and I can give you more specific advice.

Nabla64 schrieb:
For small kitchens, narrow base units starting at 20 cm (8 inches) wide are recommended, combined with tall cabinets to make good use of the vertical space.

Exactly, that’s the first step. I’m happy to go into more detail:

- Start by measuring the floor plan, including all potential obstacles like radiators or electrical outlets.
- Make sure the countertop is at least 60 cm (24 inches) deep; otherwise, ergonomics will suffer significantly.
- The Ikea Metod range offers modules in 20, 40, 60, and 80 cm (8, 16, 24, and 32 inches) widths. Combining, for example, 40 and 20 cm (16 and 8 inches) narrow modules can fill the space very efficiently.
- You can extend upper cabinets all the way to the ceiling, but consider using lift-up cabinets or open shelving to keep the room feeling open.
- You can also reduce the plinth height; classic 10 cm (4 inches) is often enough, which makes the space feel larger.

Regarding the sink: An integrated sink center, such as those from Ikea, or a modular undermount unit is worth considering to keep water connections as compact as possible.

How large is the space you’re working with? Length, width, and existing connections would help to provide more tailored advice.

Thank you for the suggestions! My room is approximately 2.8 m (9 feet 2 inches) wide and 2.1 m (6 feet 11 inches) deep. The door is on the right side of the entrance and swings inward, which makes it a bit tight. There is a window on the opposite wall about 1.2 m (3 feet 11 inches) wide. The water connection is on the left wall, with electrical outlets scattered around.

I don’t want to make the countertop too deep due to the limited space, but I still want to use it as efficiently as possible. I could easily adjust the baseboard slightly.

I’m also interested in how the adapters and connectors in Metod help to install modules as precisely side-by-side as possible, or if there is always a gap.

Hello kinsolvi, thank you for the detailed description of your room, it is very helpful.

Regarding your questions:

1. Although you can place the Metod modules right next to each other, a small gap (1-3 mm) is normal and important to allow for slight warping and to align the doors evenly. This is not a mistake or a waste of space.

2. For baseboards, you can choose flatter and narrower ones at Ikea, or install them less deep. This can gain you a few centimeters (inches) of legroom.

3. I also recommend, especially in tight spaces, choosing visually slimmer wall cabinets, for example with glass doors or open shelving, to make the room feel more open.

4. Since the water connection is on the left, it makes sense to plan the sink there as well to minimize work on the plumbing.

If you place the stove along the same wall with a minimum distance of about 40 cm (16 inches), you can arrange work surfaces efficiently without interfering with your workflow.

Feel free to ask if you need more details!

kinsolvi schrieb:
I’m also interested in how the adapters and connectors from Metod help to install modules as closely as possible side by side, or if there is always a gap.

The connection fittings from Metod are very user-friendly and really allow cabinets to be placed quite close together. Sometimes you need to leave a minimal gap to ensure the doors and drawers have enough space to open smoothly; otherwise, they might get stuck.

In my small IKEA kitchen, there’s almost no gap between the modules, but usually about 1–2 mm (approximately 0.04–0.08 inches) remain. This is probably due to tolerances in the wood quality and installation.

A practical point: if you choose doors with soft-close mechanisms, small gaps are hardly noticeable.