apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

The handles really make a difference. Ikea cabinets are great, and with a little effort, can be utilized in such a was as to create a custom look.

was = way

"can be utilized in such a way as to create a custom look"

Wow -- this is the exact kitchen I've been dreaming of for my 1920's colonial. Our local Home Depot actually has very similar cabinet hardware -- we used it for a different project.

After reading a recent article here we really considered going IKEA for our upcoming kitchen remodel. But, after a trip to the store to see them in person, we decided that although they look awesome in photos you can immediately detect a quality difference in person. My sister-in-law has similar (veneer) doors and also warned that any damage essentially ruins a door (vs. being able to sand and repaint solid wood).

They look great when new, and I love the quiet-close mechanicals (which I assume are standard as it was on all of the doors/drawers in-store). But in the end, we decided that, based on the amount we were spending in total for the remodel, it didn't make sense to cut corners on the cabinets. We'll have to find other places to save.

We ordered our cabinets from kitchencabinetdepot.com because we wanted to be able to paint them. Although they were prefinished like the IKEA ones, they were wood rather than laminate so we were able to sand, prime and paint them, which we could not do with the IKEA ones. They were about the same price as IKEA and were shipped flat packed so we put them together the way you do with IKEA. We're very happy with them. you can kind of see the build and paint process here
http://driedfigsandwoodenspools.blogspot.com/2010/02/love-notes-and-desserts-i-shouldnt-be.html

Some of the IKEA door styles are solid wood; although there are fewer wood styles than in the past. Others are wood frame/veneered panels, which can also be painted, if you are careful. Only a few of the door styles are simple laminate finishes, and they are often the lowest priced.

The hardware on the IKEA cabinets is made by a European company and is very high end. The MDF cabinets were rated well for the price by Consumers Union (the people behind Consumer Reports.) For the price point, IKEA cabs are probably the best you can buy.

I installed ikea kitchen cabinets in my kitchen, and I think they look great. I would do it all over again. The hardware is really amazing and strong. I don't think its hard to make ikea cabinets look custom. There are plenty of options with panels and other trim to make them fit most spaces.

MattyG

You can always go IKEA cabinets and get the doors / drawer fronts from somewhere else.

We did IKEA cabinets too and love them! Especially love the drawers with the easy close features. Super easy to put together and they do come in solid wood. We ended up with the laminate because I loved the horizontal wood grain on the Nexus Brown series.

After a year of use - I can't imagine what you could do to them to destroy them. And the doors are so cheap you can afford to replace it if you do destroy the laminate.

you could also always replace an ikea cabinet door for like $40 or whatever a new door costs if it gets seriously damaged, which shouldn't happen often.

i absolutely love this kitchen!

I'm so very jealous of her set of Stig Lindberg dishes. Just one of those pieces will cost you an arm and a leg.

Also, the kitchen certainly looks beautiful.

I love this kitchen and everyone likes to make our kitchen beautiful and attractive...

Regards,
http://www.custom-doors.org

I wish to looks my kitchen nice, thanks for sharing, this information helps to me to complete my wish...
Regards,
http://www.customfurniture.org