Dendra Diaries

Kitchen Design

How to Use the IKEA Kitchen Planner 2023

Last year we published 14 Tips for Using the IKEA Kitchen Planner. Little did we know that IKEA was about to launch a completely new 3D IKEA Planner. The new 3D IKEA Kitchen Planner is vastly superior to their previous software and most non and semi-professional design software options to date. In this week’s post we cover the basics of how to use the new IKEA Kitchen Planner from start to finish. Measure Your Kitchen Again! Step one of designing your new IKEA Kitchen is to make sure you have accurately measured the space you will be using. Accurate measurements of your kitchen space need to include:

February 4, 2023 No Comments

Kitchen Design

Inspiring Interior Design | Dendra Doors

For many of us finding that spark of inspiration for our home or kitchen remodel or new home design, is the most important step in a project. Plenty of us will have to live in these spaces for sometimes several decades, so we want to make sure we absolutely love the design. This week we cover how to find some design inspiration yourself and who to watch for a healthy dose of interior design inspiration.
Our business focusses on custom doors for IKEA cabinetry. Of course, the custom cabinet door options we’ve curated are inspired by a ton of classic and modern design elements that surround cabinetry. We know you can’t really justify the expense of custom cabinet doors if they don’t blend in or stand out in the way you and/or your Designer envision.

January 28, 2023 No Comments

Remodel Tips

Issues With Painting DIY IKEA Doors | Dendra Doors

Since Dendra Doors was founded by Designers & Contractors we understand the joy of designing and completing a remodel and we are happy to provide DIY options. Though, we also know exactly how expensive a custom IKEA Kitchen Remodel is and how costs can skyrocket when mistakes are made. In this post we cover some of the issues people encounter when they choose to paint DIY cabinet doors themselves.
In this week’s post we hope to clear up some misconceptions regarding the cost of painting your own cabinet doors. Additionally, we cover mistakers people make regarding the materials they choose and how they choose to paint their doors.

January 21, 2023 No Comments

Kitchen Design

7 Tips For Your NYC Remodel | Dendra Doors

Are you in the process of planning a remodel in New York City? If so, you’re probably looking for information on what you need to do to make sure your project goes as smoothly as possible. Well, you’ve come to the right place – below, we’ve compiled a list of 7 great tips for any remodel project in NYC.
Of course, NYC and it’s burrows are packed with an epic level of cultural and architectural inspiration. The difficulties also being that it is such a densely packed area that those architectural and interior design elements get tremendously overwhelming without reputable guidance to point you in the right direction.

January 11, 2023 No Comments

Kitchen Design

Top 9 Kitchen Design Trends for 2023

If you’re about to start a new design project or teasing out some inspiration for a future remodel, 2023 has some charming ideas for you. Having been part of so many modern & traditional projects we went ahead and put together a list of Top 9 Design Trends to get inspired and borrow from. Give them some consideration and see if they could work with your design.
Due to the fact design tends constantly shift constantly based on innovations in technology and how consumers respond to past trends, it’s important to step back and consider if these suggestions have long-term appeal. 2023 is a year of champion aesthetics replacing past trends, a whole lot of charm, and a healthy dose of “Oh Wow! I Really Love That.”

January 4, 2023 No Comments

Kitchen Design

Understanding & Using Color

Designing or remodeling your kitchen or home is such an involved process that most homeowners end up with a million questions. Sometimes it’s difficult to get clear answers that help you gain a better understanding of your project.
This week we show how color works, how to create your color palette, and how to choose finishes for your IKEA cabinets or home remodel. You ave limitless options on interior design color schemes so lets take a look at how to create yours.

December 16, 2022 No Comments

Kitchen Design

3 Brilliant IKEA Hacks – Kitchen Edition

We here at Dendra Doors talk all day about IKEA cabinets and quality custom fronts, and for good reason. Of course, it doesn’t stop there. Not only is the big picture of a kitchen design/remodel pretty involved there is a lot more you can do to and with your IKEA cabinets themselves that improves the lasting performance of your entire kitchen. From in-drawer organizers, built-in pantries, and what exactly can be done about all that space in those IKEA corner cabinets? This week we deliver 3 brilliant ways to hack a standard IKEA Sektion kitchen. Whether you have your kitchen custom built or purchase manufactured cabinetry and associated products, a great source of inspiration for your design are the high end products. Take a look at some of our favorites to see what you can do with all that extra space in your kitchen.

December 9, 2022 No Comments

Remodel Tips

How to Install IKEA Cabinets – Stage 2

It really is possible to install your own IKEA kitchen cabinets. Whether you are installing original IKEA doors, drawers fronts and panels or custom IKEA fronts, the cabinet installation is the same. In a recent post we covered how to assemble and install the IKEA base cabinets and wall cabinets. In this week’s post we cover how to assemble and install IKEA Drawers and Doors.
Often clients will come to us for Veneer Shaker Slim, Laminate Shaker Slim, or Painted Shaker Slim Doors because they want more custom IKEA cabinets. Without the IKEA cabinet boxes themselves it’s difficult for them to hitting that price-point while, finding quality features like soft-closes, while also securing that coveted IKEA warranty.

November 26, 2022 No Comments

Kitchen Design

HS Design Studio | Dendra Doors on IKEA Cabinets

We get to spend more time with Jeff at HS Design Studio as he goes through the process of an IKEA Kitchen upgrade. Jeff provides an honest account of the features of the Lancaster Wide IKEA replacement doors. As he points out, installing custom fronts on your IKEA cabinet boxes is something you can definitely do yourself. And, there are certain advantages of these newer, custom doors over the original IKEA cabinet doors. Of course, there are a few slight differences you’ll want to keep in mind for your own kitchen upgrade.

November 18, 2022 No Comments

Kitchen Design

HS Design Studio | Custom IKEA Cabinet Doors

Jeff at HS Design Studio unboxes his Dendra Doors and gives his initial thoughts on the Lancaster Wide profile and SuperMatte finish. HS Design Studio popped up on our radar this past summer while looking at Designers & Influencers we would want to work with. We knew the Homestud team would understand the value of a Designer curated selection of custom door options for IKEA Cabinetry.

“The custom IKEA cabinet doors have arrived! After years of settling for the stock IKEA cabinet doors, I am working with Dendra doors to update my kitchen! I’ve never been fully happy with the aesthetic of our base IKEA cabinet doors- they are the wrong color and they don’t match the wall cabinet doors. It’s time to change that!”

November 11, 2022 No Comments

Remodel Tips

How to Install IKEA Cabinets – Stage 1

Maybe it started with replacement countertops or adding a kitchen backsplash, but now you find yourself planning to install an IKEA Sektion Kitchen. Full disclosure, this is a significant undertaking which requires a whole lot of patience and planning. If it’s time to upgrade your kitchen with a more modern look and more functionality, your kitchen cupboards are part of that redesign.
In this post we cover how to unbox, assemble and hang your IKEA cabinet boxes. In our next post we’ll cover how to install drawers, IKEA or custom IKEA doors, end panels, and trim. Of course, since Dendra Doors is all about customizing IKEA cabinetry, we will include those added steps and considerations.

November 4, 2022 1 Comment

Kitchen Design

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…

October 19, 2022 No Comments

Styles & Materials

How to Choose the Right Cabinet Door Finish

How do you decide on the right custom door finishes for an IKEA Kitchen? Our Designers and Clients are usually able to select their door profiles right away. Most people already have an idea as to the shape or style of the doors and drawer fronts for their project. Then, when it comes to decide on the finish for their doors it can sometimes take months to decide. This week we provide tips and info that can make it a little easier to decide.
What’s in a Finish?
When you are deciding on a finish you are actually deciding on 3 different factors: Material, Color, and Texture…

October 6, 2022 No Comments

Remodel Tips

How to $ave on Your IKEA Kitchen Remodel

With the economy what it is these days we are all feeling the squeeze. This might delay some construction and remodel projects, but for a lot of us it simply means coming up with creative solutions on how to save money.
Maybe you are designing a new IKEA kitchen for your home. Maybe you are doing a DIY Kitchen Remodel. We have 8 tips on how to save money on your Kitchen Project that won’t compromise the look or quality.

September 25, 2022 No Comments

Styles & Materials

How to Paint DIY IKEA Cabinet Doors

Plenty of our Clients come to us wanting unfinished, DIY doors that they can wrap or paint themselves. In this week’s blog post we go over the various ways to paint your DIY doors to completely customize your IKEA cabinets. We will also give an overview on how to refinish your existing kitchen, bathroom, office, and closet cabinets. It is undeniable that the cost of appliances, countertops, and cabinetry have gone way up over the last two years. Inspired Kitchen Design reported at the beginning of the year that due to supply chain challenges IKEA was raising it’s prices 9% across the board…

September 15, 2022 2 Comments

Kitchen Design

Top 6 Reasons to Choose an IKEA Kitchen

It’s a fact that IKEA Sektion and Metod Kitchens can save you money and streamline your storage. In this post we cover the major benefits of choosing an IKEA Kitchen for your new kitchen or remodel design. Spoiler warning!!: Several of those benefits are what your friends have been telling you for years.
When considering a kitchen remodel, many people automatically think of IKEA as their go-to source. And for good reason – IKEA offers a wide range of affordable options that can easily be customized to fit your needs. If you’re on the fence about whether or not to go with an IKEA kitchen, here are six reasons why you should seriously consider it…

September 8, 2022 No Comments

Kitchen Design

6 IKEA Kitchen Design and Planning Tips

Designing and Installing a custom IKEA Kitchen can be quite the undertaking. The most important stage is by far the design and project planning stage. To cut down on stress and complications we consistently compile quality advice on custom IKEA Kitchen Design. Read this week’s 6 tips on IKEA Kitchen Design and Project Planning.
Ikea Kitchens can be a great way to achieve new kitchen design at an affordable cost. However, planning is key for any custom project including your Ikea Kitchen. These 6 planning tips will help you get your dream kitchen installed correctly the first time!

September 2, 2022 No Comments

Styles & Materials

Custom Fronts for IKEA Kitchens

We recently compiled a full list of the Sektion Kitchen doors that IKEA offers. If you’ve shopped at IKEA or checked out our list you have probably realized that they doesn’t have a ton of profile and finish options. Dendra Doors spent the last 10 years curating the perfect selection of custom fronts for IKEA Kitchens. Take a look. Dendra Doors is committed to offering a very large selection of quality door profiles and finishes to customize IKEA kitchens. Where IKEA carries 17 Flat Panel thermofoil and veneer options for their Sektion and Metod Kitchen systems, we have over 150 available finishes. From SuperMatte & SmartMatte to Light or Dark Woodgrain to Gloss, Abstract, and Solid Tone Laminates…

August 25, 2022 No Comments

Styles & Materials

Custom Doors for IKEA Cabinets – Q and A | Dendra Doors

New construction and remodel projects can get expensive, time consuming, and can be very stressful without the right support. Asking the right questions is a great way to cut down on that stress. IKEA cabinets are a popular choice for kitchen remodels because they are affordable and stylish. However, if you want to customize your IKEA cabinets, you may be wondering if it is possible to get custom doors for them. In this blog post, we will answer some of the most commonly asked questions about customizing IKEA cabinets with Dendra Doors. Keep reading to learn more!

August 18, 2022 No Comments

Kitchen Design

IKEA Sektion and Pax with Dendra Doors Fronts – the Hatfield Project

Local Dendra Doors Projects give us an opportunity to get far more involved in the design and customization of IKEA cabinets. Kat walks us through the Hatfield Street project, pointing out the IKEA Sektion and Pax cabinets, the custom fronts for IKEA boxes, and the custom woodworking we did throughout the home. Check out the custom stained Veneer Floating Shelves that John Webb Construction & Design had us make for the project.

August 11, 2022 No Comments

Kitchen Design

IKEA Kitchen Fronts and How to Customize Them

IKEA cabinetry is based on many decades of inspired kitchen design. They have created remarkably affordable and stylish options for homeowners worldwide. Though, they lean a bit more towards form, function, and affordability, which means they don’t really have a ton of options.
We’ve created a list of what cabinet doors and panels IKEA currently offers, and the finish options that are available. From there you can determine whether or not you will want custom fronts for your Sektion, Pax, Besta, or Godmorgon units.

August 5, 2022 No Comments

Kitchen Design

14 Tips for Using the IKEA Kitchen Planner | Dendra Doors

The IKEA kitchen planner is a popular online tool that allows you to design your own kitchen. It’s easy to use, and there are a number of features that can help you create the perfect space for your needs. In this post, we will share 14 tips for using the IKEA kitchen planner tool. Keep reading to learn more.

July 29, 2022 No Comments

Remodel Tips

4 Brilliant IKEA Hacks | Dendra Doors

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.

July 22, 2022 No Comments

Kitchen Design

the Truth About IKEA Sektion Kitchens | Dendra Doors

When you’re considering remodeling your kitchen, IKEA is probably one of the first places you’ll look. After all, their Sektion kitchens are affordable and stylish. In this blog post we’ll tell you the truth about IKEA Sektion kitchens and help you make the most informed decision possible.

July 15, 2022 No Comments

Styles & Materials

Are Shaker Cabinet Doors Outdated? | Dendra Doors

There are a LOT of different shaker style doors you could use for your IKEA kitchen remodel, but is it possible that they are too dated? Some IKEA Kitchen Designers and Installers will insist that they are a trusted standard for a reason. We’ll take a look a closer look at the history of Shaker cabinet doors, modern shaker door finishes, and contemplate what kinds of cabinet door profiles are actually outdated.

July 8, 2022 No Comments

Kitchen Design

9 Smart Ways to Upgrade Your IKEA Kitchen | Dendra Doors

Are your IKEA kitchen cabinets in good condition and you’re looking for a new look, or do they need to be replaced altogether? There are quite a few clever ways to customize and pull off IKEA Kitchen Upgrade. From inexpensive DIY projects to major remodeling tasks, these nine ideas will give you some inspiration for making your cabinets look their best.

July 1, 2022 No Comments

Dendra’s Elegante II with Onyx SuperMatte finish for IKEA SEKTION cabinets

Kitchen Design

Why IKEA? A Story About Quality and Custom Cabinet Doors

Why do some folks shy away at the mention of IKEA? Talk to customers that have had an IKEA kitchen and you will definitely hear positive stories. In this post we’ll take a look at the history of IKEA’s cabinetry and take a look at the company’s commitment to quality. We will also sit down with Dendra Doors co-founder, John Webb, to learn a bit about customizing IKEA cabinets and how Dendra Doors came about.

June 16, 2022 No Comments

Kitchen Design

How To Design Your Own IKEA Kitchen

Design your own IKEA kitchen with apps, software and online tools that deliver professional results at any budget and level of experience. Whether you choose to do it yourself or hire a professional designer, here is where to start.

June 14, 2022 No Comments

Styles & Materials

Is the Shaker Slim THE Modern Cabinet Door?

Are Shaker Slim doors the modern face of cabinet design? You might be wondering what all the fuss is about. Well, behold – Shaker Slim fronts have become a standard of modern design in new homes and remodels! Wondering if they are a good fit for your home? Keep reading to find out!

June 8, 2022 2 Comments

Kitchen Design

Clever Kitchens – Getting the Most Out of a Small Kitchen Remodel

Are you thinking of buying a quaint home, apartment, or loft, but you’re concerned that the Kitchen is too small? Or, maybe you’ve lived there for some time and it’s time redesign and remodel? Turning a ho-hum, tiny cooking area into a clever kitchen design can be a fun and practical accomplishment.

May 19, 2022 No Comments