I got a diamond!!!!!
(Picks jaw up off floor ...)
Thanks people!
I got a diamond!!!!!
(Picks jaw up off floor ...)
Thanks people!
Member since:04.07.2006
Reviews:16
Having purchased and fitted an IKEA kitchen in 1993, and being very happy with it for the next 7 years (until we moved house!), I didn't really bother looking anywhere else for my most recent kitchen. I was delighted to find that, although the narrowest (30cm wide) units have now been discontinued, the range has otherwise been improved and offers excellent value and quality.
IKEA offers a very good range of basic units, all of which are customisable by adding your choice of doors, drawer fronts and interior fittings. All the ranges are, in my opinion, very reasonably priced. You'll have to get a catalogue or visit the website or store to see just what's available!
We planned our kitchen with 3 things in mind: cost - having just paid for an extension, our budget was limited; durability - our kitchen gets good use; staying power - we didn't want something which would date rapidly, especially bearing
in mind we will probably wish to sell the house at some point in the future.
As a result we opted for the Kalsebo beech range: the drawer fronts and door frames are solid wood (should stand up to the odd rough treatment) with veneered centre panels. The wood is a lovely soft light brown, and is finished with a satin laquer which shrugs off spills easily and doesn't appear to stain (despite being 'hit' by both blackcurrant and tomato juice!)
We disliked every one of the worktops on offer at IKEA, so opted instead to purchase from another supplier - we went for a 'gloss white' (actually it's speckled with other colours) from Wickes. This is not a problem as long as you remember to check which thickness of worktop you need.
I would definitely recommend the use of IKEA's own Kitchen Planning software, available free from their website, although it is a little limited and I also used a 3-D House Planning software application in order to gain a more realistic impression of the finished result. (The IKEA website also offers some useful advice on the whole process of planning and fitting your kitchen).
I would also recommend using the 'item list' option on the planning software, as you can print off a list of units you want and take it with you when you visit the store. This saves any misunderstanding by the sales staff. It also tells you the total cost of your chosen units.
The part I hate about IKEA shopping is the actual visit to the warehouse - it's too big, too busy, too tiring!! However, on this occasion, due to comprehensive planning, my visit went smoothly and the kitchen was ordered with little difficulty. I did have to decide on an alternative sink, as my choice was no longer available (I had chosen from an old catalogue), but the salsperson I dealt with was very helpful and knowledgeable.
My kitchen was delivered as agreed, by two very helpful blokes who even waited while I checked off every item on the delivery paperwork! (No easy task as IKEA lists every component separately and in no particular order so I had over 100 items to find, listed on 3 small-printed sheets of A4 ... )
Once I was sure everything was in order, it was simple to begin construction. The units are made of 16mm MDF faced with white melamine, solidly built and well finished. Drawers have metal frames and runners, with MDF bases - very sturdy and quite capable of storing heavy items such as tins and bottles. The units come flat-packed with all the fixings and instructions required for assembly, which is very easy on the whole. The only tools you need are (generally) a cross-head screwdriver, a hammer, and a drill. Holes for hinges etc are pre-drilled but you will have to drill holes for handles - this is so you can put any handle wherever you want! The instructions are in the form of (wordless) diagrams: these are remarkably easy to follow in most cases.
I found I could build a basic cupboard in less than 10 minutes, and have it attached to the wall in under 15: obviously more complex options take a little longer. Adjusting the doors and drawer fronts to perfection will take just as long as you choose! The best bit is I was able to do it all myself with just a little help from my hubby (yes, I'm female!!) when lifting wall units and worktops.
I haven't quite finished putting my kitchen together - various events conspired to call it to a temporary halt - but I can honestly say I am very pleased with it. I particularly enjoy using the pull-out storage I opted for instead of normal cupboards: it's easy to make full use of the space and to see what's in the cupboard without having to bend down & 'rummage'. Also, all the drawers pull out to their full depth, so nothing gets hidden at the back. Should you need to, you can lift the drawers off their runners and completely out of the unit (no tools needed).
All in all I've found it a pretty painless experience, and would recommend an IKEA kitchen to anyone. Just remember to PLAN CAREFULLY - go to the store prepared and you won't have any problems.
Oh, one final plus - I purchased my kitchen via an IKEA store card: at the time there was a special offer where you could get 5% of the cost of your first purchase (up to £1600) back in gift vouchers. So I carefully planned my purchase to be just over £1600, and used the £80 of gift vouchers I received to buy most of the interior fittings I needed. Not bad, eh?
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But you never answered the REALLY important questions. Did you get one of those little pencils and tape measures on your visit? Did you have the little meatballs in the cafe? What bits were missing? AND most importantly, did your poor hubby hurt his back lifting the units onto the wall? haha. great wee review. gar
josarah 17.08.2006 15:06
I planned my kitchen ages ago with their interactive tool but just can't afford it yet! :o) Jo
sgjenning 16.08.2006 21:35
Reply to earlofaldgate: no, I fitted both my IKEA kitchens myself, except for a bit of plumbing. Really, they are very easy - if you can put up a shelf, you can put together one of these kitchens. But then my hubby would say that I always say 'it's easy' when it's not ...
Advantages: Great price, solid, easy to install cabinets, real wood doors Disadvantages: Only that I had to carry it in my car to save the transport...
adicos 17.05.2006 (17.05.2006)
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Review of Ikea Kitchen Systems
Advantages: Fast ordering, delivery and installation, quality products that look great and cost less Disadvantages: Not everything may be in stock when you go to buy it
TheChocolateLady 28.12.2005 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Ikea Kitchen Systems
Advantages: Great price, solid, easy to install cabinets, real wood doors Disadvantages: Only that I had to carry it in my car to save the transport...
adicos 17.05.2006 (17.05.2006)
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Review of Ikea Kitchen Systems
Aug 16th, 2006
(Jan 15th, 2007)
very helpful by (100%):
