IKEA kitchen cupboards present a superb, reasonably priced base you could elevate in your design scheme. Hacking IKEA cupboards gives the proper style-meets-savvy resolution for anybody seeking to perform a renovation with an upscale aesthetic whereas nonetheless conserving a eager eye on prices.
We all know that IKEA produces wonderful high quality kitchen cupboards, however what sorts of IKEA hacks could make them look bespoke on a finances?
One simple approach is to make use of completely different doorways and handles from corporations like Customized Fronts, Holte, Superfront and Semihandmade. ‘The feel, heat and pure grain of the merchandise imply every kitchen can be distinctive,’ says Rachel Thurlby, Director at Customized Fronts, ‘particularly as you possibly can select to combine and match finishes, a selection which is turning into more and more common.’
‘You can even get superbly easy shelving items and panels, which you need to use to create every kind of storage options, together with kitchen islands.’
If you wish to perform an IKEA kitchen hack, a easy lick of paint and new handles goes a good distance in type phrases. We have pulled collectively among the finest methods you possibly can improve and elevate IKEA kitchen cupboards to point out you could create designer beauty it doesn’t matter what your finances is.
12 concepts to improve IKEA kitchen cupboards
1. Combine patterns and shade finishes so as to add visible curiosity
(Picture credit score: Superfront)
In case you’re searching for an on-trend aesthetic that is additionally timeless, including completely different shades of gray to your kitchen cupboard concepts is an efficient place to begin. It is a refined technique to carry depth and dimension to an area that you just spend a big majority of your time in.
This IKEA Metod kitchen base has been given a stunning glow-up with Superfront doorways, drawers and brass handles for an added factor of glamor.
‘Mixing cabinetry – seen right here with Superfront Parallels (in Ashton Gray) and No Sample doorways and drawers (in Cloudy Gray) – in darkish and lightweight gray tones paired with contrasting white marble provides an opulent contact to this kitchen,’ Superfront tells us.
2. Go for a sustainable Scandi type
(Picture credit score: @tooting_reno_project)
Utilizing an IKEA kitchen as a base is a very savvy concept that means that you can create a high-end search for much less. So far as wooden kitchen concepts go, this Scandi-style ply end is a superb choice because it’s trendy in addition to sustainable.
Ash of @tooting_reno_project says: ‘By combining IKEA cupboards with birch ply fronts from Custom Fronts, we have been capable of obtain the search for our kitchen that we wished at a very reasonably priced value.
‘We had a planning session with IKEA over Zoom, despatched our plans over to Customized Fronts they usually did the remaining. By sourcing issues individually, we created a bespoke kitchen with out breaking the financial institution.’
3. Handcraft your individual kitchen cupboards for a very custom-made end
(Picture credit score: @mytinyestate)
Over in stunning Warwickshire, inventive couple Dean Poulton and Borja De Maqua are renovating a surprising Georgian property, and detailing the works on their addictive Instagram account, @mytinyestate.
Within the oldest constructing, referred to as the Caretaker’s Cottage, the boys have created a surprising inexperienced kitchen sanctuary that appears utterly bespoke.
(Picture credit score: @mytinyestate)
Explaining the method, Borja says: ‘We obtained all of the carcasses prepared and we then minimize 18mm thick MDF to create the doorways. We created a quite simple design for the doorways as we wished so as to add paneling to make them look extra in line with the age of the property.
‘As soon as the doorways have been minimize to the fitting sizes, we purchased an attachment on-line so we may make the holes for the IKEA hinges and, after some portray and lots of evenings working, Voila! We made ourselves a kitchen that nobody would know is IKEA till they open the cabinets. Inside the cabinet, we now have cabinets and drawers from IKEA too (you possibly can’t beat their storage options).
‘We invested in a quartz worktop and the faucets and handles, in actual fact, the kitchen faucet (from deVOL) price us greater than all of the kitchen cabinets put collectively!’
This stunning inexperienced kitchen thought makes use of Jade from Fenwick and Tillbrook and the brass handles are from Yester House. The end result? Some of the characterful IKEA kitchens we have seen.
4. Select clear and modern with handleless white kitchen cupboards
(Picture credit score: Customized Fronts/Anna and Tam)
A white kitchen is a basic design that’s ageless and might be formed to suit any decor scheme, from basic to minimal.
This clean-lined white kitchen thought retains issues on-budget and modern with smooth-surface cupboards, pops of colour in artwork and lighting, and a heat timber ground.
Get the look by putting in IKEA Metod base cupboards and reworking them with Color Fronts in Chalk by Customized Fronts.
5. Assume blush pink for a fairly and sensible cooking area
(Picture credit score: Holte)
Together with inexperienced, pink is a high kitchen development for 2022. ‘Coral, violet, and pink are analogous colours, which sit subsequent to one another on the colour wheel,’ explains Eva Sonaike. ‘They’re vivid and thrilling tones which can be related to vitality and symbolize well being and vitality. I believe all of us want a great dose of this for 2022.’
And what higher place to begin including feel-good hues than the kitchen cupboards within the coronary heart of your own home?
(Picture credit score: Holte)
Fiona Ginettt, director at Holte, which makes bespoke fronts for IKEA kitchens, says of the gorgeous venture above: ‘An extension to a Victorian home in Stoke Newington created a light-filled area with staggered ceiling heights.
‘The shoppers opted for our LAM-P fronts in Formica Simply Rose with uncovered ply edges and WOOD in oak with a darkish oil end for the wall cupboards and island.
‘The worktops are Caesarstone Frozen Terra and handles are our Straight Built-in Pull. A number of bespoke parts full the scheme together with an open wall shelf and a double pantry cupboard.’
6. Remodel an IKEA Sektion from fundamental to bespoke
(Picture credit score: @trica.design.studio)
When Ania @trica.design.studio wished a high-style search for a consumer on a finances, she determined to present IKEA Sektion base cupboards a contemporary makeover – with spectacular outcomes.
She used the Ringhult doorways and easily gave them a refresh with new modern pull handles.
To make the area actually sing, she then added customized porcelain counters and a marble-effect kitchen backsplash thought for an elevated end.
7. Give the IKEA Torhamn doorways a lick of paint for a contemporary farmhouse really feel
(Picture credit score: Jenna Sue Design)
With its luxurious hue and Shaker-style end, you’ll by no means guess this rustic kitchen thought was created with an IKEA kitchen cupboard hack.
Jenna Sue Design created the look, which used a wealthy inexperienced hue give IKEA Torhamn doorways an upscale really feel.
She says: ‘For the decrease cupboards, we ordered IKEA Torhamn wooden doorways, which was their best choice for portray.
‘They have been sanded, primed and painted with Benjamin Moore Advance in Peale Inexperienced, and completed with new brass handles and knobs.
‘The higher cupboards are inventory white IKEA Axstads, and we gave all the pieces a built-in look with customized panels and trim.’
Decorate with a vintage-style rug, open shelving and rustic wooden counter tops for a up to date nation aesthetic.
8. Work a deep blue hue for a contemporary mid-century trendy kitchen
(Picture credit score: Holte)
‘This kitchen in an East London Victorian terrace makes use of the IKEA Metod system mixed with our fronts and bespoke cupboards,’ says Holte’s Fiona Ginnett.
The wealthy blue kitchen thought combined with wooden grain cupboard fronts creates a welcoming area that is additionally design-forward and trendy.
Fiona provides: ‘The consumer opted for our MATT-V for almost all of the kitchen, which includes blue Fenix laminate on a black Valchromat core. They mixed this with WOOD-E fronts in American crimson elm for the higher cupboards.
‘We supplied a bespoke open shelf wall cupboard in addition to crown minimize European elm wall paneling for the eating space. The consumer selected stainless-steel worktops with a seamlessly welded sink and our Straight Pull built-in handles for a streamlined general look.’
9. Trend an up to date conventional type for enduring design
(Picture credit score: Semihandmade/Nicole Dianne)
Go basic with a standard type that is given an up to date really feel with brass kitchen {hardware} and pale timber flooring.
A well-designed white kitchen won’t ever date, and this design by Jessica Jones is a superb instance of how an IKEA Sektion base might be utterly reworked with new cupboard fronts and handles.
‘In a Northern California lakefront fixer-upper, Jessica Jones mixed ornate brass {hardware} with Semihandmade DIY Shaker cupboard fronts painted in a heat white to create an up to date conventional kitchen,’ says Semihandmade.
‘Glass ready doors and pale wooden open cabinets supply distinctive alternatives to show treasured objects that proceed the impartial colour scheme. Pronounced curved edges on the vary hood, oversize chandeliers, and turned legs on the island add a basic aptitude to the general vibe.’
10. Elevate IKEA kitchen cupboards with brass {hardware}
(Picture credit score: @trica.design.studio)
Sage inexperienced kitchen concepts are soothing and might create a classy sanctuary that is calming and tranquil whereas remaining stylish – and IKEA’s Bodarb doorways are simply the ticket.
The kitchen above, designed by @trica.design.studio, takes an IKEA base and Sektion doorways and provides them a easy trendy makeover with new brass handles from Richelieu.
Customized quartz counters and a painted wooden slat paneling backsplash additional mix to create a cultured but inviting end.
11. Be daring with a dramatic black IKEA kitchen cupboard hack
(Picture credit score: Semihandmade/Elizabeth Messina)
Give your IKEA Metod or Sektion kitchen base a contemporary, modern makeover with black cupboard fronts that actually pack a design punch.
This black kitchen thought was designed by Anne Sage and makes use of Semihandmade’s new BOXI Peppercorn Edge cupboards to create a cool, assertion really feel.
Semihandmade says: ‘BOXI’s Peppercorn Edge cabinets, which function a refined, pencil-thin molding, are a hair extra modern than Shaker cupboards, and barely extra dynamic than pared-back slab cupboard fronts.
‘A mixture of textures – shiny tiles, a pure wooden shelf, and {smooth} black marble with brown accents – make excellent concord with the straightforward Peppercorn Edge cupboards. The important thing right here is to not overdo issues – therefore brass cupboard pulls which can be positioned proper in step with the cupboards’ pencil reed element.
‘Though their molded edge provides them a contemporary look, you possibly can usher in a distinction with rounded {hardware} or elevate their naturally modern look with straight cupboard pulls that appear to mix into the cupboard fronts.
‘Black cupboards additionally look nice with a variety of backsplash and countertop choices. You’ll be able to hold issues completely easy with white counters and subway tile, or you possibly can create a phenomenal cohesive look with marble counter tops that function black veining.’
12. Go for an all-wood end for modern mid-century cool
(Picture credit score: Holte)
The mid-century trendy aesthetic is a development that continues to endure, and darkish or heat wooden kitchen cupboards may help create the look.
Holte’s Fiona Ginnett says: ‘In a complete rework of a household residence in Tunbridge Wells, our shoppers wished a kitchen with a mid-century really feel.
‘They selected to maintain it easy with our WOOD-E fronts in walnut with J pull built-in handles all through, letting the timber do the speaking.
‘On a base of IKEA Metod cupboards, the kitchen is accomplished with marble impact quartz worktops and a easy floating shelf.’
Proof, if it have been wanted, that wooden can work for contemporary kitchen concepts in addition to conventional ones.
How can I make IKEA kitchen cupboards on-trend?
Designer IKEA hack queen Sarah Sherman Samuel tells Semihandmade that shades drawn from nature can be robust in 2022 and past. She’s nonetheless a fan of terracotta and ochre, however inexperienced is the one to look at. She says: ‘I really feel like there’s a variety of fig leaf and different greens. It’s so grounding and everyone may use a few of that proper now.’
By way of finishes, New York Metropolis inside designers Emma Beyrl and Chris McGovern describe flat-front slab cupboards as an incredible selection for a streamlined look, excellent for industrial lofts or mid-century trendy houses.
Shaker cupboards ‘transcend design developments’ for a timeless really feel, whereas beadboard cupboards are perfect for a extra formal look. Glass-front cupboards are a great choice for brightening up a kitchen and are a great higher cupboard option to show fairly objects.
‘Darkish timbers, curves and sustainability are key for on-trend kitchen cupboards,’ says Fiona Ginettt, director at Holte. ‘We’ve been making a variety of walnut and cherry kitchens and, generally, our prospects appear to be erring in direction of darker and hotter veneer species.
‘Curves are very talked-about in the mean time, each in bigger codecs as curved bookcases or ends to islands and on a smaller scale within the curves of ribbed or reeded panels on cupboards.
‘Our shoppers are additionally turning into rather more engaged with the sustainability of their tasks, choosing lower-emission supplies and asking for the CO2 screening in order that they will make selections to steadiness their buy.’
