ᐅ How do I build an IKEA Metod kitchen with plenty of storage in a small space?

Hello everyone, I’m currently planning my new kitchen and have decided on the Ikea Metod system. Now I’m facing the challenge of designing a functional Metod kitchen with as much storage space as possible, even though the room is very limited. Specifically, it’s a small kitchen area of about 3 meters (10 feet) in length and 2 meters (6.5 feet) in width, with corners that are quite tight. I want to make optimal use of both wall cabinets and base cabinets to maximize storage without making it look cluttered. Has anyone had experience with making the most of storage space in such a small area? Are there particular modules, pull-outs, or combinations that work especially well in compact kitchens? I’m also interested in any tips that can make installation easier or visually create the impression of more width or depth. Thanks in advance for any helpful advice or suggestions!

Hey arvidleo32, great project! 😍 I built a very small Metod kitchen myself about a year ago and can tell you: definitely use pull-out drawers in the base cabinets instead of doors, as this saves a lot of space and makes everything much more accessible! 🙂 Also, corner solutions like the "Magic Corner" come highly recommended since they allow you to make excellent use of otherwise hard-to-reach corner space. For the wall cabinets, tall, narrow units that reach up to the ceiling help—you can store items you rarely use up top. For an easy way to enhance the look, go with light-colored fronts and indirect lighting under the wall cabinets. Good luck, you’ve got this! 👍

Hello arvidleo32, to answer your question in detail, it is important to first know the exact layout of the room. Since you mentioned a small kitchenette area (3m x 2m) (10ft x 6.5ft), I recommend starting with a precise measurement including all wall recesses. For Ikea Metod, the following modules are especially suitable for maximizing space utilization: - Base cabinets with full-extension and inner drawers, for example the VARIERA basket combined with Legrabox drawers for optimized organization - Corner cabinets with the "Le-Mans" or "Magic Corner" system, which cannot be achieved by any narrow cabinet with doors - Wall cabinets in heights from 40 to 80 cm (16 to 31.5 inches), installed up to the ceiling, for example 80 cm (31.5 inches) high cabinets to make the most of vertical storage space One important tip: install a narrow brick or stone-look backsplash to visually add some depth. Choosing fronts in glossy white or light oak is recommended to make smaller rooms appear larger. Have you already decided which appliances (oven, refrigerator, sink) will be installed? This strongly influences the cabinet planning.

glamo schrieb:
An important tip: install a narrow brick or stone-effect backsplash to create a sense of depth visually.

This is a very effective visual trick! Additionally, I recommend using flexible storage dividers and removable baskets inside the drawers during the interior fit-out. Ikea offers very good modular interior fittings that help organize small items efficiently and prevent wasted space.

Also important: consider installing open shelves or hanging racks for pots and pans on a wall instead of upper cabinets. This can visually open up the space while also providing extra storage. If you haven’t started planning your kitchen with Ikea yet, it’s worth using their kitchen planner tool, which gives you a digital preview and shows possible combinations. This helps avoid surprises during installation.

For small kitchens, drawers are almost always better than doors. Corner cabinets with Le Mans or Magic Corner fittings make better use of the space. Building wall cabinets up to the ceiling improves both storage and appearance. Bright cabinet fronts and LED strips under the wall cabinets provide more light.

Thanks for the responses so far! To answer your question, glamo: The appliances will be a 60cm (24 inch) wide stove with a ceramic cooktop, a 60cm (24 inch) wide built-in refrigerator, and a small built-in sink with a single basin. A microwave and dishwasher are not planned because the space is too tight. The appliances will be installed side by side in the kitchen line – a corner solution is not possible since the room is very narrow. This naturally limits the planning options a bit.

What exactly do you mean by "full-extension and inner drawers"? I have seen some simple drawers in Metod, are those not sufficient? The "Magic Corner" sounds interesting, but I’m a bit worried it might be cumbersome with daily use. What are your experiences with it? And one more question regarding the wall cabinets: Is it practical to build them up to the ceiling, or does that quickly become inconvenient in terms of reaching the upper shelves?