Read This Before Buying IKEA Kitchen Cabinets

IKEA cabinets have become a very popular design choice for kitchen remodels. This has become exceptionally true during the COVID-19 pandemic as the world has experienced supply chain issues, long waits for contractors, and delays from start to finish. While IKEA once held a reputation as being cheap and low-quality, their options have improved greatly while still remaining affordable. Even celebrity home designers like Sarah Sherman Samuel, who recently helped renovate Mandy Moore's kitchen, recommend IKEA cabinets when you need a quality option that is time and wallet friendly. 

Before you get started, read on to learn what you really need to know before purchasing IKEA cabinetry. From styles to delivery tips, IKEA might be classy and affordable, but it can still be quite the tricky process. There are multiple designs to choose from — and more customizations than you might expect — with a popular option being the Akurum line. 

Many of us remember IKEA fondly as where we shopped for everything from desks to succulents during our college days. In other words, IKEA is considered to be cheap by an entire generation. However, cheap does still come with a price tag, so it's important to know what you're getting into financially when working IKEA cabinets into your kitchen remodel budget. 

According to Sweeten Stories, the design industry uses a 10 foot x 10 foot standard kitchen as a base for cabinet costs. This includes everything from the cabinets to little details like the hinges and toe-kicks. Using this base size, you can expect to pay from $1,100 to $3,500, with an average cost of $2,350. This doesn't include tax, delivery, or professional installation if you opt for that. Considering the fact that many complete kitchen remodels cost upwards of $50,000, stretching your cabinet budget further with low-cost (but still good quality) IKEA options will free you up more funds for that fancy sink or high-end countertop.

IKEA has kitchen cabinet planning software that is accessible through their website. Before you come to the store to order, it's a good idea to do this at home first. This is because not only do you need to choose all of your components — cabinet boxes, drawers, doors, etc. — but because, as shared by IKEA Hackers, the planning software is rather notorious for being tricky for beginners. Take the time you need to explore your options at home and use the software properly from the comfort of your couch — otherwise you might find yourself spending hours on the IKEA store computer with impatient customers nearby. 

Once you have punched your preferences into the software and explored all of the products, head to the store. Expect to spend at least a couple of hours walking through your plans with an IKEA employee. Ordering cabinets from IKEA will mean you'll save money, but not necessarily time. 

Although it means you'll have to wait a few extra weeks, the order will come with some guarantees. According to Apartment Therapy, When delivery is selected, IKEA will inventory the cabinetry piece by piece prior to shipping, thus if there any missing pieces or issues, you can go to your local IKEA's after-sales department and get it taken care of for you. 

If you decide that you don't want to wait for the delivery process, then there is a cash and carry order option. This does take several hours to get everything pulled from the warehouse, as it involves so many parts. Frequently, your local IKEA won't have every single part you need, which means multiple visits out and waiting on returns and exchanges. This process can end up taking weeks on its own just as if you had waited for delivery, only it comes with a lot more stress. Lastly, if you pick up in-store, you'll need to have a truck or rent a trailer to transport it all. Delivery eliminates that need.