Are IKEA Kitchen Cabinets Good?
Every month, there are 500,000 searches for kitchen cabinets, led by IKEA with 75,000 searches, followed by Home Depot and Lowes, each with 40,000 searches. With so much demand for kitchen cabinets, and IKEA kitchen cabinets, the question becomes, are they any good?
Below we share the pros and cons for IKEA kitchen cabinets, with real-life quotes. We’ll also share the DodiHome approach and why custom kitchen cabinets may be the option for you.
The Pros
IKEA kitchen cabinets can be significantly less expensive than other options. Especially custom kitchen cabinets. IKEA does have a good selection of finishes and designs. While IKEA’s choice may not be all-encompassing, sometimes fewer options can make the process easier. IKEA provides a lot of extra features, such as drawer pulls and cabinet handles, slow-close drawers, panels for your dishwasher or fridge, and even appliances themselves. IKEA also has an online 3D planning tool. The 3D planning tool is a must for creating your layout and all the parts you’ll order. You can go in-store to work through all the options with an IKEA customer service person.
“I think with all things IKEA, the quality and durability depend on the assembler. I’ve definitely seen quite a few kitchens that screamed IKEA because there were gaps and angles that were slightly off, etc., and others that looked beautiful. Just make sure you have someone skilled and with good attention to detail building and installing your cabinets.
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The Cons
The logistics can be overwhelming. Working with customer service on the design can take hours, and ordering parts can take another 3-4 hours. Even with some meatballs, the process can be exhausting. Installation is often a headache, as there are many boxes to sort through, especially in DIY installations. Since cabinets are not custom, they only come in specific sizes, and if something is missing, it can be a real hassle to get that last piece ordered and delivered within a reasonable timeframe.
All in all, installation generally takes much longer and can sometimes take months. The lack of custom cabinets also means that drawers are not as deep, and for remodels getting the cabinets to fit seamlessly and be level is a challenge. IKEA cabinets are made with particleboard and laminated veneer. Since lower-quality materials are used, it’s not uncommon to notice wear and tear within just a year.
“I find that the cabinets are just too short and shallow. They don’t even hold our plates! Also, they just feel cheap. It’s like I can smell the MDF under the wood veneer. The few things that aren’t bad about them is that the hinges seem so be good, and the drawers close quietly.”
– iamayardsale
“The ordering process at the store took so much longer than we expected. We arrived at the store at 6:30 pm and left at 10:30 pm. And even with a lot of planning, we had to go back to the store 3 times.”
– fabricwench
Custom Kitchen Cabinets for the Same Price
The mission at DodiHome is to provide high-quality custom kitchen cabinets, locally manufactured, at the same price as stock cabinets from the big box stores. And we deliver in 2-weeks. We’re able to take high costs out of custom cabinets by embracing three principles.
The mission at DodiHome is to provide high-quality custom kitchen cabinets, locally manufactured, at the same price as stock cabinets from the big box stores. And we deliver in 2-weeks. We’re able to take high costs out of custom cabinets by embracing three principles. First, we manufacture locally so we don’t have to ship materials. Second, our team uses automation and CNC machines, and third, we use software (our web design app) for cabinet design and order fulfillment. By following these principles and integrating our design software with our manufacturing, we give customers another option. Our custom cabinets don’t use particle board, they’re solid wood, and you even have the option of swapping out cabinet doors in the future when it’s time for a kitchen refresh. Sustainability is core to the Dodi mission, too. Since we purchase our materials locally and don’t use harmful chemicals in our manufacturing process, we reduce the carbon footprint compared to standard cabinet manufacturing and distribution.
Kitchen cabinets are a dependency in any kitchen remodel. Plumbing, drywall, and electrical need work before kitchen cabinet installation, and countertops, appliances, and more plumbing and electrical are required after kitchen cabinets installation. Issues with how cabinets fit, missing parts, damage, or a complicated installation can hamper your whole project causing cascading delays, project changes, and cost overruns.
Schedule an appointment with us today to design custom cabinets for your new kitchen.
