Are You Wasting Money on IKEA Kitchen Cabinets? | 6 Month Review

[@JoesPhenomenal]

I forgot to mention that IKEA uses a rail system for mounting. You level and mount the rails into the wall studs, and then you hang the cabinet from the rail. This way, the cabinets will already be level and lined up at the same height. Then you throw on the feet, and adjust the foot height until it reached the ground so they help support the weight. So whatever is in the cabinet gets supported by both the wall and the legs. If you liked this video, you might like my IKEA Cabinet installation video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gnatoZqkoNV1g68

[@MyGrowthRings]

This type of cabinet construction is quite common and not unique to IKEA, except you’d be hard pressed to find another manufacturer who has learned to cut more corners. Melamine finished particle board is also common, but in white it always limited to budget lines. The hinges you are showing are also common full overly European hinges and those are the lowest opening angle hinges you’ll find. The board you showed is known among American cabinetmakers as a filler board, and they are used to fill in the inevitable gaps left when using stock sized cabinets. If you squint, the item you show at 12:00 is similar to a Kesseböhmer “LeMans”, but isn’t remotely close to the genuine item. IKEA cabinets have their place, but if you assembled these yourself you have to agree that they are a bit of a house of cards. Once they are screwed to the wall and to one another and the countertops are installed they aren’t bad at all, but they are nothing like most professionaly made cabinets. Gotta thank the KZbin algorithm for suggesting your video to a corporate trainer of a European hardware distributor! Scott

[@JoesPhenomenal]

Thanks, Scott! Awesome information. That was definitely a filler piece I was using to show as an example, since I couldn't really show much more that in the video. I agree that they won't be nearly as durable as solid wood contruction, but I personally sacrificed that for cost and configuration options, in addition to the fact that I was going to add additional support into certain areas, like in the wall oven cabinet to support the etra weight. I probably should have mentioned that I really didn't like their countertops at all though. I figured, that's where there was going to be the most abuse, so I cut my own butcher block tops instead.

[@MyGrowthRings]

@ You made a wise choice there. Their countertops are essentially the same as using one of their vertical and panels as a countertop. I used to use their cabinets in my training classes, because they were inexpensive and easy to throw together, but when they eliminated the top stretcher and replaced it with the metal strap, and made a few other changes to cheapen the construction, I stop using them.

[@Banagal]

We have been considering a kitchen remodel. This video was just what we needed. Thank you. We are a couple hours from an Ikea, but the distance is well worth the savings. Thank you for your video and tour.

[@JoesPhenomenal]

You're welcome! IKEA has a cool system that I didn't rememeber to mention also. You hang these rails on the walls first, and the cabinets hang from them instead of sitting on the floor. It ensures that your counters are level when you install. Pretty slick.

[@hejiranyc]

A couple of years ago, I hired a kitchen remodeler who installs nothing but Ikea kitchens for my Florida condo. I have to say that the kitchen came out beautifully and the build quality is impressive, especially considering that I used Voxtorp fronts, which have an integrated handle at the lip. I was initially concerned that the cabinet lip would wear away from use, but so far, it appears to be incredibly durable with no signs of use at all. My only gripe is that, having used the Walnut color fronts, the white Sektion cabinet frame can be seen in between doors, which cheapens the look somewhat. The contractor swears by Ikea kitchens due to all of the options/configurations and the high end hinges and built-in options.

[@JoesPhenomenal]

Yeah... I can see that being an issue with that much contrast. One of the reasons I kept it all white.

[@phbrinsden]

I did a full remodel a few years ago ripping out right back to the studs and starting with fresh walls. I used IKEA cabinet systems, installed exactly per instructions and we love our kitchen now. IKEA has thought out all the internal fittings options, hinge systems, and hidden drawers etc. we especially love the soft close drawers and doors.

[@SteveClausse]

Great Info Chef Joe. We are about to order a new kitchen and I was considering Ikea. Thanks for the great review.

[@JoesPhenomenal]

You got it, buddy

[@TheFrenchieConnection]

They look fabulous!

[@dinodinosaur2930]

👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 Joe, you keep a impeccable standard of your new kitchen ser up .... Did you sit down with IKEA and construct the kitchen, or did all the calculation at home ❓

[@JoesPhenomenal]

Thanks! I did all my own planning and measurements. I did have to take my plan in to IKEA to verify that I was getting all the parts I need, and they told me that it's the first time they went though someone's IKEA plan and they didn't have to add anything that got left out.

[@tescherman3048]

IKEA offers a 25-year warranty on their SEKTION cabinet system. From what I've heard, no other manufacturer offers anything comparable. That's pretty impressive.

[@mypointofview1111]

Ikea is trading on past glories. Before the founder died during the pandemic that guarantee was cast iron. Since then the standard has dropped considerably and Ikea seem to like plastic in a lot of its fittings which certainly won't last 25 years. Buyer beware

[@JoesPhenomenal]

Hopefully, it's something that doesn't need to be used. So far, so good though. Really happy with them so far.

[@kathybreton4570]

We built a new house in 2005. I enjoyed the cabinets that were white just like yours. We planned our kitchen and we liked it. About eight years later we sold the house. Someone lived there 2 years, then put it on the market. I noticed in the pictures on the real estate pages that the cabinets were scratched up on the tops of the lower drawers and doors. It looked like someone wore a belt and it scratched the laminate as they were cooking.

[@KungKokkos]

For the price they cost you can just replace all the faces 10 times before it even starts tp approach the cost of a kitchen supplier..

[@JoesPhenomenal]

Man.... that makes me sad.

[@JoesPhenomenal]

Yep.... When I did mine, I did a comparison, and I was saving almost 10k going through there vs. Home Depot.

[@KungKokkos]

@@JoesPhenomenal I'm not american, so I'm not sure about this, but wouldn't Home Depot be around the same quality? I would assume they are also on the lower end of kitchen budgets, while the specialized "real"/luxury kitchen suppliers are miles ahead in price. Is that right?

[@BackToTheGame.98]

​@@KungKokkosYou're thinking the prenuilts. They don't have much variety there. They're referring to their remodel service event they send a custom builder over to make and install cabinets and stuff.

[@mypointofview1111]

I've had Ikea kitchens for the past 26 years, remodelled 14 years ago with Ikea again. The older Ikea units are still good but the newer ones started to fall apart after a few days. I would not use Ikea units again. Considering that the labour costs of making up the flat pack units is much higher ill opt for a standard unit with real wood fronts instead of the plastic stuff Ikea seem so fond of.

[@JoesPhenomenal]

Hmmm... That's interesting. So far all of mine have been pretty rock solid. No gaps or any loose panels....Just that issue I mentioned about the door on the garbage can drawer. I guess we will see about how well they hold up though. I haven't really had them long enough to really abuse them much yet.

[@ABC-hi3fy]

Very useful info. Thanks

[@JoesPhenomenal]

You're welcome! Hope it helps

[@candycane1275]

One thing i like about IKEA cabinets is they don't sit on the floor, they have legs. In most cases the problem with partical board is getting it wet. If they don't touch the floor they're not likely to get wet. If you have a flood in your house of more than 5 inches likely any cabinet that was installed would be water damaged, IKEA is less expensive to replace if that ever happens.

[@JoesPhenomenal]

I know I forgot to mention that. For those that don't know that read this, IKEA uses a rail system. You level and mount the rails into the wall studs, and then you hang the cabinet from the rail. This way, the cabinets will already be level. Then you throw on the feet, and adjust the foot height until it reached the ground so they help support the weight. So whatever is in the cabinet gets supported by both the wall and the legs.

[@loiswells3062]

Ikea does retire some styles, so almost impossible to replace them. I've been searching Craig's list and sometimes finds odds & ends cabinet pieces of the same style I installed in my kitchen, but it's very limiting.

[@greyport]

Did you need to modify the 36in cabinet to accommodate the induction cooktop. almost every brand seems to need some minor work on the inside for the drop in cooktops

[@JoesPhenomenal]

I didn't have to, but I was really careful picking a cooktop to make sure it would fit, and it does......BARELY. I had to make sure the measurements I made for the cutout in the countertop were right on the money, since I only had about 1/4 inch or wiggle room.

[@Tina_42]

This is a typical way european kitchens are built. It has nothing to do with ikea on it's own. The hinges are also normal in europe on every cabinet.

[@JoesPhenomenal]

yeah... I like that hinge design.

[@lucho3410]

If you would've told me you are gonna paint your kitchen blue (my favorite color btw) I would've said hell no you are crazy but wow, it looks so good!!!

[@JoesPhenomenal]

Lol... the wife said the same thing. Had to live on the wild side a little with it though. Just wanted to be different. My last place, I repainted the kitchen black and went with white on the cabinets. That seemed like a mistake too as I was doing it, but it ended up pretty slick.

[@BackToTheGame.98]

They look super nice but my biggest worry is how durable are they? Can they hold up without hinges coming loose, or looking beat up and scratch easily from daily use? I've got a Besta shelf that scratches super easily.

[@cm.5023]

My 9-year-old kitchen has zero scratches, and I've never needed to tighten any of the hinges. I assembled them myself to eliminate the lack of care some installers have.

[@lucho3410]

I'm in the process of a kitchen reno and I'm considering buying it from IKEA. My sister did her whole kitchen from IKEA about 6 to 7 years ago she told me it looks the exact same as the day it was installed. No scratches or stains, hinges and drawer slides all function perfect and the only minor issue was a toe kick plate came loose but was probably due to the installation that was done by a non-ikea installer

[@JoesPhenomenal]

The cabinet fronts and doors have a veneer over the surface that makes them pretty resistant to scratches, stains, and water. So far mine are all still perfect, but I'm pretty gentle with stuff in the kitchen. As far as the hinges go, I wouldn't put a ton of townward force on those... like if you grabbed one to help you stand up or something. I suspect that might rip the door off. It hasn't happened to me, but that wouldnlt surprise me if it did...but then again, that might happen with any door if ya did that.

[@JoesPhenomenal]

That might be the key. You never know if you hire someone and they mess something up, or if it's just something wrong with the quality. Tough to know, if you aren't involved yourself.

[@JoesPhenomenal]

The Toe-kicks have a plastic clamp that you slide on to the back, and those just snap right on to the legs of the cabinet. It those aren't lined up just right, they can pop off pretty easy or get pulled out of the groove. On mine, I have a slight bend on one in front of my dishwasher, but that was because I couldn't mount it quite far enough back to get it perfectly flush. That's on me.

[@Tom-sg4iv]

This is the standard of kitchens in Europe across most manufacturers, but usually each unit is already assembled, you would only need to add drawers or doors. I would say IKEA is just below the midrange in regards to quality.

[@jsks76905]

Was disappointed to see nothing about the construction of the drawers. My past experience with Ikea has been the drawers falling apart at the corners, or the bottom of the drawer falling out as they are made with cheap card board and they get bent out of shape from the weight of items in the drawer and they slip from the grooves holding the bottom in place. This review would be more usefu and feel less like a commercial if you addressed these common problems with Ikea drawers

[@JoesPhenomenal]

@@jsks76905 that's a valid concern for sure. I haven't experienced anything like that though, so it's tough to comment on it without first hand experience with it. I did do a cabinet modification on my wall oven cabinet though. I didn't trust it's ability to hold my wall oven since it's about 300 lbs, so I added reinforcement to the shelf below to make sure it wouldn't be an issue. However, they did say it would be fine. I just didn't feel great about it, so I did that anyways. With my kitchen, the only thing I've had any issue with is that drawer for the garbage cans that I mentioned though. Might do another update on this video at around 2 years to give everything more to get weird on me.

[@candicebleezy]

Chubbs approves 👍🏽👍🏽

[@JoesPhenomenal]

LOL. He was everywhere.

[@candicebleezy]

@@JoesPhenomenal he’s a very interested pup 😂

[@1202jazzman]

Without watching your video, the answer is a resounding YES!

[@lucho3410]

Disagree. Chances are, you'll spend a whole lot more money on better quality cabinets only to redo them again cause of outdated design. Worst case is you'll save a ton of money with IKEA and never renovate and will outlast you anyways! And even if you reno your IKEA kitchen again, you'll end up spending the same amount on 2 IKEA kitchens with the 1 better quality reno you would've done the first time 🤷‍♂️

[@ismailm5940]

Forget about the Cabinets Why on earth would you paint kitchen walls royal blue ???

[@JoesPhenomenal]

Well... I figured better than lime green. lol

[@robertlafleur5179]

That blue matches his jacket perfectly.

[@susanhollis5015]

👌

[@WaynoGur]

I live in Tucson. The only IKEA store in the state is a 250 mile round trip. Hard pass.

[@JoesPhenomenal]

Yeah.... There aren't a lot of them. I live in Pahrump, which is about 60 miles from Las Vegas... We are just barely within their delivery range.

[@lucypembroke3574]

I had a PAX wardrobe professionally installed 7 years ago. After 3 years the lights stopped working. Cannot be repaired, I had to buy new ones. After 6 years the drawers are extremely difficult to open and close. The response of customer service was, I should send them photos and videos!!!! Outrageous. The price was great but the quality is crap. NEVER AGAIN