ᐅ IKEA Kitchen Quality and User Experiences?

Hello everyone,

as the question suggests, I find it surprising that IKEA kitchens are quite affordable. How is the workmanship, meaning the quality? And what about the IKEA hinges? Do IKEA kitchens last a long time?

Best regards

Affordable kitchen prices are relative. You need to factor in:

• Delivery
• Assembly of individual components
• Installation of the complete kitchen

(Ikea, for example, charges 199 euros per linear meter of kitchen)

Also, the limited selection of cabinets only 20, 40, 60, and 80 cm wide (approximately 8, 16, 24, and 31.5 inches) can affect the optimal layout depending on the room.

So, my first post.
Ikea kitchens are reliable. I know many people whose Ikea kitchens are already 20 years old or more. I also have some Ikea parts in my kitchen and am very satisfied.
And when it comes to price, the quantity makes up a large part of it.

For me, a plus is that I can replace the fronts for a relatively low cost if I no longer like them.

I am very satisfied with our IKEA kitchen. We have about 9 meters (30 feet) of countertop space in total (a large L-shape and an island). Almost no wall cabinets.

However, IKEA is not really inexpensive. So, if price is the main concern, I don’t think IKEA is the first choice.

Also, some DIY skills are necessary, especially if you want to cover blind corners (there are no ready-made solutions from IKEA for that). In total, it took two of us three days to assemble the kitchen, adjust everything, and carry out the additional carpentry work needed (such as covering blind corners). These are costs that should not be underestimated.

Additionally, IKEA's rigid system is not really ideal when you need to fit small rooms with many corners and interruptions. But you can quickly find that out using the IKEA kitchen planner.

Ikea kitchens are not necessarily cheap, but they offer good value for the price. The quality is decent, especially considering the cost. However, when planning, keep in mind that you might need extra expenses for installation, additional fixtures, and countertops.

If you want to customize your kitchen layout or use non-standard dimensions, many parts may not fit perfectly, which can lead to extra work or adjustments. Also, when it comes to materials and finishes, Ikea uses a mix of particleboard with laminate or foil surfaces, which might not be as durable as solid wood or high-end materials.

In terms of hardware, the hinges and drawer slides work well, but more frequent use or heavy loads could require replacements earlier than with premium brands.

For anyone considering Ikea kitchens, it’s important to measure carefully in millimeters and double-check everything before ordering. Planning permission / building permits might be necessary if you’re altering structural parts of your home during installation.

Overall, Ikea kitchens are a practical choice for budget-conscious buyers who want a modern look without spending too much, but it’s important to be realistic about the limitations and potential additional costs.

Over the past 10 years, we have planned and purchased four kitchens due to many moves. Most of the time, we visited Ikea but never bought there. What we wanted was more expensive at Ikea, especially because we did not assemble the furniture ourselves. Perhaps it would have been best if we had bought an Ikea modular kitchen the first time, as it would have been easy to move with us. In the end, we always planned and purchased in furniture stores.

Currently, however, we have four Ikea kitchen cabinets hanging or standing in the bathroom. They work fine there, but I find my kitchen cabinets from Alno to be better.