ᐅ How can I build IKEA Metod cabinets optimally for small spaces?

Hello everyone,

I am planning to install IKEA Metod cabinets in a very small kitchen space. I am unsure how to arrange the cabinets most efficiently to make the best use of the space without restricting movement. The ceiling height is about 2.40 meters (7 ft 10 in), and the floor area is only 3.5 square meters (38 sq ft).

My specific questions are:
- Which cabinet types and sizes are best suited for small spaces?
- Are there proven planning strategies for Metod to maximize storage in a small floor plan?
- How can I best organize the arrangement of wall cabinets and base cabinets to keep everything practical and comfortable?

I would especially appreciate advice based on practical experience—what really works well in small kitchens.

Thanks in advance for your tips!

Hi Claudiale,

for small rooms, I usually prefer narrower base cabinets (40 or 60cm [15.7 or 23.6 inches] wide) and rely on open shelves on the walls to avoid a cramped feeling.

Wall cabinets above should not be too deep; 20cm (7.9 inches) is often enough. This allows for better freedom of movement.

Hello Claudiale,

I’d like to give you a brief overview on planning small kitchens with Metod:

1. Measure the space: Accurately down to the millimeter, including any recesses and protrusions.
2. Cabinet sizes: IKEA Metod offers standard widths of 20, 40, 60, and 80 cm (8, 16, 24, and 31½ inches). For small spaces, cabinets between 20 and 40 cm (8 and 16 inches) wide are often ideal, as they allow flexible combinations.
3. Height: Make use of the ceiling height by planning wall cabinets up to the ceiling or adding top cabinets.
4. Interior fittings: Use pull-outs and carousel shelves to optimize storage space.

A common mistake is choosing cabinets that are too wide, which overloads the kitchen and reduces the walkway width.

I recommend dividing the kitchen into zones: cooking zone, washing zone, and storage zone – this saves steps.

In short: plan with varied options, minimize large fixed units, and avoid wasting space.

Hello Claudiale,

In addition to Jensson’s helpful overview, I would recommend paying special attention to lightweight construction for the wall cabinets.

- Fronts with glass panels or open shelving appear less heavy.
- Use corner solutions from Metod to utilize corners efficiently; this provides surprisingly much additional storage space.
- For small rooms, the way cabinet doors open is important: doors that swing into the room take up space. Sliding doors are rare in Metod, but folding doors or roller blinds for extensions could be an alternative.

Additionally, lighting above and below the wall cabinets creates more visual depth and makes using the space more comfortable.

Definitely prepare well with drawings and, if possible, with IKEA planning software!

Nabla64 schrieb:
For small rooms, the alignment of cabinet doors is important: doors that swing into the room take up space.

That’s a very important point, thank you!
I’ve never really thought about alternative door mechanisms for Metod, since the classic fronts are more common. So basically, avoid standard hinged doors if the passageway is narrow?

Does IKEA offer any other solutions for these cabinets besides folding doors? I might have to get creative with the available range, right?

Jensson schrieb:
I recommend dividing the kitchen into zones: cooking zone, washing zone, and storage zone – this saves steps.

Do you have any tips on how to best arrange these zones in a square floor plan? Often there isn’t enough wall space for a traditional linear layout.

I would recommend corner solutions with carousel units to make the most efficient use of storage space.

Base cabinets with pull-out drawers save a lot of space compared to traditional hinged doors.

And for wall cabinets: avoid being too deep, or better yet, install only partially hanging units.

A single-wall layout is often the most efficient in small rooms.