Anybody ever use IKEA for a kitchen remodel? (Chamblee: countertops, appliances)

[ATL Golfer]

Prices seem decent, but I don't like the whole "design it yourself concept". For $199 someone will come up and plan it which seems reasonable.

Can anyone speak to their experience. Their model kitchens looks pretty awesome.

[lorilove]

I have two neighbors that have remodeled with IKEA - looks very nice and has held up for 5+ years.

I think it is appropriate if your home is in a certain price range that does not support a more expensive remodel.

The cabinets don't feel cheap but they don't feel as solid as higher end cabinets.

[vince217]

we did, and have been happy with the results. for our house (a 60s mcm ranch), the cabinet designs of ikea were perfectly suited to the design of the house.

the ikea designer did come and gave us great ideas on how to improve our kitchen space. after he drew the plans and itemized everything, we hired our own contractor to install everything.

[AtlJan]

Exactly what I was thinking, vince. I had some friends who used Ikea for their kitchen. It was that kind of vaulted ceiling 60s ranch house that you see in Chamblee and the like. It made the house look awesome, fit the modern style of the house, and didn't go overboard for the neighborhood either.

[JPD]

Our house was outiftted with Ikea stuff by the previous owner. The cabinets are pretty good. I would strongly advise against buying Ikea appliances. I have found them to be substandard and poorly designed.

[Gulch]

Originally Posted by JPD

Our house was outiftted with Ikea stuff by the previous owner. The cabinets are pretty good. I would strongly advise against buying Ikea appliances. I have found them to be substandard and poorly designed.

I thought they were just rebadged Whirlpool appliances.

[JPD]

Originally Posted by Gulch

I thought they were just rebadged Whirlpool appliances.

If that's the case, I would advise against Whirlpool, too. Sharp edges. Faulty ice maker. Flimsy shelves. Inaccurate thermometer. Rust-prone parts in the dishwasher. I had never owned a Whirlpool appliance, but I have owned GE, Kenmore, Samsung, etc., and even the cheapest of those was far higher quality than any of my current Ikea/Whirlpool appliances.

[atlantagreg30127]

My neighborhood in West Cobb is also filled with the mid-century brick ranch style homes. They average around $115-$140k right now, but before the "bust" were averaging around $160-$180k. A neighbor spent $70,000 remodeling his kitchen; yes, really, nearly half the value of his entire home. But he could brag about marble from Italy or a counter that was blessed by the Pope or something like that. A year or so later some folks a few houses down used IKEA for theirs and maybe spent $18,000 max. or so.

Their IKEA kitchen looks imo, just as nice as his. It's held up just as well - as a matter of fact, his Italian Marble counter has cracked - theirs hasn't. Anyway - more than 3X the price and all he did was ensure he won't get his money back when he sells his house. They will. I do think they went with GE appliances though, or whoever it is that makes that oven that cooks with the high intensity light, whatever brand that is.

Verdict - go with IKEA.

[George Chong]

I once showed a very nice mid-century remodel priced at about $599K. The kitchen was gorgeous. It was an Ikea kitchen. I think that really set the kitchen off is that the homeowner splurged on large and double thickness granite for the countertops. The kitchen island appeared to be 2 - 3 standard sized base cabinets connected together to make a grand statement.

[jsvh]

Actually in the process of finishing up a remodel and used IKEA cabinets. The price ended up being about what was originally budgeted to try to buy a few additional cabinets that matched the originals that turned into a pain to do. The remodel is not done yet, but the cabinets just got installed and I am very happy with the way they look.