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Adventures in DIY Kitchen Design

There is a ton of advice out there on how to customize and install your IKEA Sektion Kitchen, but your cabinetry is just one part of the puzzle. This week we cover a lot of design considerations that help cut down on your project costs, stress, and the risk of having to redo any of it.

DIY kitchen design can save you a ton of money and allow you to build or remodel your kitchen exactly how you want it. Unfortunately, without enough planning and support it can cost you a lot more time and money than if you had hired a Pro from the onset. Our designers and contractors have fixed a number of common mistakes over the years. With the right advice and planning, you can avoid these common design mistakes.

DIY Shaker in a Painted finish

Considering how much time and money goes into any kitchen project, it’s imperative that we do it right the first time. This week we are starting a series of blog posts that focus on several often overlooked aspects of Kitchen Design and Remodel.

To Keep Or Change Your Layout

Your kitchen cabinets are usually the focal point of any kitchen, so it’s important to make sure they fit well within the overall scheme of the room. You want to make sure that everything fits together well and that there aren’t too many things cluttering up the space. The best way to do this is to plan ahead and account for all the ways your kitchen will be used. What will you be storing in your cabinets? How often will you be cooking and does your current layout make that easy to do?

Choosing to change your kitchen layout is often based on a change in the needs of your household or the realization that your current layout never really met your needs. Of course, if you are able expand your kitchen layout both your needs and circumstances have likely changed. If none of these things are true for you, you might want to consider a redesign that utilizes your existing footprint.

4 Brilliant IKEA Hacks. Why become an IKEA Hacker? For plenty of folks ordering custom cabinet doors for IKEA boxes is just the beginning. These folks have already answered the question Can you replace cabinet doors without replacing cabinets? Yes! The conveniently standardized and distributed, reliable quality and well-warrantied IKEA cabinets are the perfect starting point. Taking it to the next level with clever IKEA Hacks means they were able to truly customize their remodel project with IKEA Sektion, Akurum, Besta, Pax, Godmorgan, or the international versions of IKEA cabinets.

Kitchen remodels are not always about adding square footage or increasing storage space. Sometimes, a kitchen remodel is simply about making sure that the kitchen works well for the people who use it. This may mean changing the layout of the room so that everyone can easily access all of the appliances and cookware they need. It could also mean removing unused countertops and cabinets to make room for new appliances or additional cooking surfaces.

A complete overhaul of a kitchen isn’t always necessary. Sometimes, a simple update will do. You may find that your kitchen design doesn’t meet your needs. Perhaps you need more storage space or a larger prep area. Or maybe you just don’t like the way your kitchen looks. Whatever the reason, there are many ways to improve your kitchen without having to tear everything out and start over.

Design For Kitchen Workflow

You don’t need to have a commercial kitchen to consider workflow. To be able to use a kitchen that meets your day to day needs requires planning. The kitchen is a place where food preparation and cooking happen. Whether you have one small room in your home or an entire commercial facility, it’s important to factor in how workflow can impact your time in the kitchen. All of your future kitchen activities, from storage solutions, quick access to ingredients, cleaning up after yourself, to entertaining family and guests, all factor into the layout of your new kitchen.

A good work flow will make sure everything has its own space with easy access but also remain organized by storing things efficiently. Consider how you use your kitchen and include streamlined storage and organizers near the cooking and prep area.

When planning for durable and affordable cabinetry for a kitchen remodel, IKEA is is a top consideration. This is of course because their Sektion kitchens include quality hardware an amazing warranty. In this post we continue our honest and informative analysis of the benefits and drawbacks of choosing an IKEA Sektion Kitchen.
Do you love the potential of a home, but you’re thrown off by the limited kitchen and eating space? Whether it’s a new home, a loft, an apartment, or other cozy & quaint space, we have a number of kitchen design suggestions to open up your options.

For instance, knowing that items like oils, spices, utensils, and small alliances with need to be in reach lets you know those should be part of the prep area layout. IKEA alone provides a ton of options for organizers and dividers to let you maximize the space in all the ways you know you’ll need to. Kitchen design is about maximizing your space while making sure everything you need is within easy reach.

Poor Configuration - Kitchen Cabinetry

The layout of your cabinets and drawers can make or break the functionality of your kitchen. They should be setup to work for you, to make it easier to do everything you need while in your new kitchen. They should definitely never get in the way. Kitchen design is all about creating a space where people feel comfortable and enjoy spending time. It’s not just about aesthetics; it’s about making sure that everything works well together. The best way to do this is to start with a plan. You need to know what you want before you begin any project.

Kitchen cabinets play a huge role in making your kitchen functional and easy to use. It’s important to think about how you will use your kitchen before you start shopping for cabinets. You want to make sure that your cabinets fit your needs and that they don’t get in the way of your daily activities.

Refacing your cabinetry, accounting for your current and future needs, can revitalize and streamline the functionality of your kitchen. Adding features like an appliance garage or a built-in Pantry can provide the more high-end look and function that you’ve been looking for.

Shaker Slim, Slim Shaker, Skinny Shaker, Quarterline Doors: These are all common names for quite the hot ticket item for modern and transitional IKEA Kitchens. Of course, the issue being that you can’t get them directly from IKEA: the truth is that IKEA does not and likely will not ever produce and Shaker Slim door. But why is that? This week we take a moment to explain some of the subtle differences between IKEA and custom retrofit fronts that have grown so popular over the last 15 or so years.

And, whether you have the classic Akurum cabinets or IKEA’s modern Sektion and Metod Kitchens, to add custom fronts can provide the upgrade your kitchen needs. Since IKEA doesn’t carry them, consider adding some SmartMatte Laminate Shaker Slim fronts for a fully modern upgrade. Or, stick with the same profile but opt for a Veneer Shaker Slim for a more elegant take on these modern custom fronts.

Poor Configuration - Appliances

The most used kitchen workspace will always be between stove and kitchen. Make sure you take this into account when redesigning your kitchen. Kitchen design should take into account the way people use the room. It’s not just about aesthetics; it’s about how well the kitchen works for you. You need enough counter space to prepare meals, and you need storage space for pots, pans, dishes, and utensils.

Kitchen remodels often involve removing old appliances and replacing them with new ones. However, with inadequate planning and design time you may end up with appliances that crowd your space.

Smaller kitchen appliances can be a hassle to store when not in use. They often take up valuable space on the countertop and can can be prone to damage if there isn’t enough space to store them. The best way to avoid these problems is to measure your appliances before purchasing them. This will help ensure that you get the right size and fit. With enough planning you can customize your space to account for your appliance needs. This includes your cabinetry. Plan ahead – plan for functionality.

Written by Todd Zimmerman

Producer of the John Webbccast

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