My 5 Regrets... | IKEA Kitchen 1 Year Review

[@bindashawn]

12 years going strong for my ikea kitchen. We spent hours in the design and made full use of all of their storage solutions. Did all the work ourselves with no regrets.

[@mswilliams8887]

This comment is wonderful & very helpful in my decision for my new house

[@vulcanswork]

14 years here, perfectly happy. Our kitchen is small, so I used all drawers. I hate to have to bend down trying to reach at the back of a low cabinet.

[@nomdutilisateur]

10 years here. The main issue is that since that time IKEA discontinued Faktum and replaced it with Metod. So we can't replace anything that breaks. 2 things got damaged: the dishwasher face and the face of the drawer below the sink (where we hang hand towel - which gets wet). Humidity damaged the finish. I can't replace those. Everything else is good as new; just watch humidity.

[@dalbriggss]

How are the cabinet finish holding up on the outside after 5-8 years? And what can be done to remedy damage to the finish?

[@bindashawn]

@@dalbriggss some wear and tear but nothing that too bad

[@catherineboccongelle7224]

Installed our IKEA kitchen in 2008. I have a large family, many of whom join me in cooking. 15 years and it looks and functions like it's brand new. Best decision I every made.

[@rebeccah8637]

The tip about the white sink is *chefs kiss*. Thank you. I was hoping to get a white sink, but now I will stick with stainless steel. Thank you again!

[@Raymond.W]

Maybe the extra expensive white sinks are better quality?? I’m curious.

[@3dchick]

I had a cream ceramic sink, and everything he said, plus I'm a klutz. I haven't broken or chipped a single plate since I replaced it with stainless steel. .

[@cherrymangoari]

My parents recently wanted to renovate their kitchen but hire contractors for it and the furniture with it too. I was so shocked about the amount that they're asking, so I was trying to convince them to install Ikea furniture instead but as you said they think its "cheap materials". I showed them this video and changed their minds! Thank you so much for making this video :)

[@lorettamanes7011]

Same. I'm sending this to my parents who want to renovate our family home. Mom wants to spend WAY more than necessary.

[@whiskybrush3219]

Note on radiant flooring in a kitchen. You do not want the heated floor to go under your base cabinets. It will heat up and trap a ridiculous amount of heat inside of the cabinets, which will definitely damage and reduce the shelf life of any pantry foods stored in them, like canned goods, flours, oils, grains, etc.

[@rahbid121]

Thank you very much.

[@chloe5susan]

I put in radiant heat in my kitchen 16 yrs ago during a remodel. Best money we ever spent. Not saying the first person who put it in subbed it out to his workers and didn’t work( had put tool on pads before laying down our flooring. That was a nightmare but when it was re installed,( not on our dime) it has worked beautifully ever since. So well, we installed in my master bathroom. Wonderful!!❤

[@Raymond.W]

Just curious, do you operate yours on a schedule or leave it at a set temperature at all times?

[@chloe5susan]

@@Raymond.W I leave it at set temperature at all times. I do turn off in the summer but only when it’s really hot outside.

[@whiskybrush3219]

@@Raymond.W my house came this way, and i have it only in a few rooms so it's used as a secondary source of heat to forced air heating which I do have it on a timer to match with my furnace. IMHO though, that is not a very efficient use for radiant flooring. An in floor heating system is not designed to be a stop gap heating method. It is meant to maintain temperatures in a space over a long time, and will take many hours to affect drastic temperature changes on it's own while drawing a lot of juice as it does so. However it is heavenly at maintainign a stable temp in a zone. When i compare the experience in my house to that of friends who have their entire home on a centralized radiant system, the differrence is night and day. Don't get me wrong, it's nice (some would say really nice) but short of integrating it in your entire home, it's essentially a very pricey foot warmer.

[@leeenchen3035]

How is it possible that you only have 1.36K subscribers?😑 the quality of this video is soo good and the way you present the content is very well done!

[@Raymond.W]

Thank you! Slowly but surely the channel is growing 🙏

[@vanessawaters4852]

He will

[@nette4307]

My thoughts exactly! I stumbled across this channel and just subscribed

[@tcappog8586]

Agreed. Raymond, you do a great review and clearly communicate your thoughts. Keep doing great videos.

[@jameswilliamflint6862]

Actually the funny thing is that he has more views (122k) and more likes (8.3k) to this video compared to his subscribers (3.13k)!

[@janwoodward7360]

We put in an IKEA kitchen in 1988. It held up well, performed as expected and was worth every penny. We replaced the cabinets when we remodeled about 2 years ago. I moved the IKEA cabinets to my shop where they continue to serve as expected. Over 30 years now and still working just fine. Flimsy my butt!

[@travisc7506]

I'm an Architectural Engineer by trade and actually work in the millwork industry. I design custom kitchens, bathrooms etc for both high end residential and commercial applications. I have had some experience with Ikea cabinetry. I think they are an OK budget friendly option but the price definitely comes with some caveats. Like you pointed out in your video the back panels are very flimsy on their cabinets and are just nailed to the back of the cabinets. This is a problem because the panels flex and eventually will come detached from the back of the cabinets. Typically kitchen cabinetry will have a 1/2" or 1/4" back with a Dado (think of a channel) that the the back will slide into preventing the panel from being able to detach with enough pressure. The material is also particle board. Although not uncommon in budget friendly cabinet construction, particle board is susceptible to flexing and warping and can break or fracture easily. For example, if you were to kick (not that you would want to) the side of an Ikea cabinet, it would not take much force to break the panel. Plywood constructed cabinets are more durable, and kicking the side of a cabinet wouldn't do much more than put a scuff on the side of the cabinet. Lastly, the other issue I see with Ikea cabinets is the construction of the drawer boxes. Ikea drawer boxes are shallow to leave room for the drawer slides they use. Ikea opted for a visible slide as opposed to a side or undermount drawer slide like you find in most kitchen cabinets. Because of this, you can't have deep drawers. This also makes manufacturing cheaper for Ikea as they can use the same drawer boxes for multiple drawer faces. The other cost saving measure is down to the drawer box construction itself. They're constructed using butt joints where the panels "butt" up against each other as opposed to a dovetail or box joint where the panels interlock together, making for a stronger, more durable drawer box. That being said, I don't think Ikea cabinets are a bad option if you're on a budget. They work well in a home. They wouldn't stand up well in a commercial setting, however. Whenever I have people ask me about my opinion on Ikea cabinets, I usually point them in the direction of the big box store pre built cabinets as opposed to ikea. Another option would be to buy cabinet boxes (cabinets without doors/drawer fronts) from either a cabinet supplier or a big box store and then buy the drawer fronts and doors from Ikea I think using this method, you will find that you can still get that same look Ikea offers but will have a cabinet that is better constructed than the Ikea boxes. You would actually be surprised that this method is roughly about the same price as Ikea, and you will have a much more durable cabinet than going with an Ikea cabinet box. This is by no means meant to dissuade anyone from buying Ikea cabinetry but just informational so people understand what they are getting in an Ikea cabinet and to also let people know that there are other budget friendly options that will achieve the same look without having to worry about durability issues.

[@clara0hernandez]

very helpful tips. many, many thanks.

[@Raymond.W]

That’s great insight into the material and assembly of the cabinets.

[@martinsvensson6884]

I have never ever seen a 12mm IKEA cabinet in my life... They are always made of 18mm sheets (3/4").. at least here in Sweden.

[@travisc7506]

@Martin Svensson I'm probably wrong about the thickness. Like I said, I have some but not much experience with ikea cabinets. The last time I did anything with an ikea cabinet was to do some measurements in a client's kitchen where they were replacing the Ikea cabinets, and that was like 5 years ago. In fact, I'll remove that sentence from my post about the thickness.

[@Cityheart221]

Thank you for your review on IKEA product. Loved the video. You spoke clearly, the music didn't over power you and you showed the product well.

[@gregorymurphy9980]

I've assembled and installed six IKEA kitchens with nothing but good things to say about them. I love the old school design of brown cabinets, white appliances, and an over the stove microwave. I avoided trying to be too trendy and I have a kitchen that is beautiful and functionable.

[@SABOREAME68]

⭐⭐⭐⭐ Raymond, I agree with everything you stated. Specially the white sink, for this matter I chose the stainless-steel sink. Enjoy your kitchen for years to come... Abrazos

[@chualarbill]

Did my Ikea kitchen in 2020. The Axtad white worked well and it cleans up nice with a mild de-greaser. We found a used Sharp Drawer style microwave and it works really well! They are expensive, but we were able to get a used one for only $400. I also have an 8" high toe kick which is absolutely amazing! If you are taller than an average 1940's housewife, make a higher toe-kick! My counters are at 40" which makes cooking in my kitchen so comfortable!

[@FGL902]

Nice to see shots of the kitchen in use as part of your review! Beautiful space and good tips as I plan my own renovation.

[@marieobrien7051]

I had an ikea kitchen in my last house. It was the high gloss Gray lacquer and it was beautiful. I had it for 10 years and I loved it as much the day I sold the house as the day it was installed. I had no complaints. I lived in a seashore area nothing ever warped and nothing ever rusted . It was beautiful

[@cg9616]

Daughter was the same. Her ikea kitchen was in really good condition after 5 years and looked good

[@MissTopDJ007]

Were you able to sell your house at a higher value because of the renovation?

[@natashapk6905]

A few tips from an Interior Designer. Add felt or rubber bumpers to the back of your cabinet door. Ikea cabinet doors are pre-fab to accept their hinge line, it's not an easy retrofit if considering another brand. Back panel is thin to keep cost low. Built-in microwaves with a trim kit need a 30" wide cabinet typically. Stainless steel sink for the win + the sink grate is super helpful when it's a single bowl for drying, etc. Love the radiant floor idea, definitely lux move for your next project!

[@Raymond.W]

Thanks for sharing the tips!

[@avagrego3195]

Very helpful - thank you.

[@davidhunternyc1]

Of course back panels are thin "to keep costs low" but how does this help the buyer? Add $5 more to have sturdy backs.

[@natashapk6905]

@@davidhunternyc1 the backs don't add structure so why add cost there?

[@davidhunternyc1]

@@natashapk6905 If that were so, just put paper on the backs, which in fact is what this review is about. Pots and pans hit the backs of Ikea cupboards and cause damage and holes. Not all kitchens are large with plenty of storage. Most kitchens are small and things are jammed packed inside the cupboards. For anyone to defend Ikea's decision to use subpar materials speaks for itself.

[@xdeedee85]

I’ve seen people ruin expensive, quality kitchens within a year or two. I’ve also seen people use their furniture sensibly and enjoy them for 15-20 years. I love your tips and honest review. I love my IKEA kitchen. It’s been going strong for 6 years now. 💪🏻🙏🏻

[@mollyknoble]

So is mine.

[@xtaylorxboyx]

What did they do to ruin their kitchen?

[@IssieAndLife]

I live in my Grandma's bungalow. She installed the kitchen and bathroom in the 1960s. It's been so well looked after! The cupboards are all carpenter built and the only thing that really *needs* replacing is the trim of the countertops. The floor is also just a hideous typical 60s yellow-beige faux tile vinyl. Sure, it's not modern aesthetically, and it's on the small side as they had less gadgets to house back them, but it just shows how things can last. Looking at this video as I'm finally buying my own house, and want a dreamy kitchen :D

[@DavidaChazan]

You are SO right about white sinks! I finally got a kitchen with a stainless steel sink, and after two years, I'm able to clean it easily and quickly. Okay, yes, it isn't as shiny as it was when it was installed, but at least it is CLEAN and without stains with practically NO effort. Nice looking pizza, by the way.

[@Raymond.W]

There is a certain heartache with stained white sinks that’s hard to explain.

[@lucindabreeding]

Barkeepers friend polishes our SS sinks really well! Mix it with Dawn dishwashing liquid and you’re sparkling! (We have one white sink and I hate it.)

[@alitasledz9786]

I cleaned a rec center that provided free coffee for the public but very minimal cleaning supplies for me. I mixed a spray bottle of bleach water, slightly heavy on the bleach. I would line the sink in paper towels and spray them with the bleach water until they were wet. I’d straighten up the coffee station and wipe down the counters while letting the bleach do its job. It only took a minute or two and then I could come back and use the soaked paper towels to wipe out the sink. No stains. No elbow grease. This method is not kind to cheap paint finish on brass hardware, but has worked fine on stainless steel. It is just important to throughly rinse any bleach residue from stainless steel so that it doesn’t etch.

[@smiling5683]

Baking soda with dish soap cleans to a bright shine!

[@Showwhat-b4x]

I second the Barkeeper’s Friend recommendation on white sinks

[@chrysanthywhite2532]

I have had my IKEA kitchen for just over 12 years and still love the cabinets. I may change the bench tops in the next few years.

[@dwagner7117]

Yes on the white sink! I had one before, same experience! Thank you for mentioning that the black option was not great either. I was already leaning towards stainless, but your comment helped me decide that the black sink was not the answer.

[@Raymond.W]

My black sink is Blanco branded if this is relevant.

[@Islandgirl4ever2]

Love your kitchen and review.. We have done two IKEA kitchens in two different places we have lived in, and I have always been extremely pleased and satisfied with the look, quality and durability of their products and accessories..

[@glamazini]

We installed an IKEA kitchenette in our basement in Nov 2021 and it has held up amazingly.

[@nicolebaumann5667]

Hello, i am from Germany i purchased an Ikea kitchen with real Wood Doors and enjoyed it for 22 years including three moves. The only Things which suffer are the back-sides when bumping or If you must Drill new holes for water Connections or electrical Outlets. I will buy again Ikea!!! The drawer systems are the best!!!

[@shinnam]

22 years ago, IKEA cabinets was real wood not laminate and chipboard. My 8 year old laminated cabinets around the sink have several breaks in the coating with the chip board exposed and expanding out when there is any moisture exposure.

[@dvdgalutube]

You take your kitchen cabinets with you when you move? Installation isn’t fixed? 😮

[@shinnam]

@@dvdgalutube No. In Germany the kitchen is basically a bare room, even with rentals. People move the cabinets and appliances or buy new ones.

[@djkg17]

It’s the same in Austria, where I live. You move your kitchen when you move. You can sell it to the next renter though, if they want it.

[@nicolebaumann5667]

Yes, in southern Germany in rentals the kitchen is empty. You Bring your own and make IT fit with new countertops. Or you sell your old kitchen and buy a new one. So moving can get very expensive ...

[@WhatashameMaryJane]

Loved your calm tone and the slower pace of the video. I wished more videos on KZbin would be like this. I wish you all success, you're very good at making KZbin videos!

[@sherrycohen1824]

Several years ago I read an article in Consumer Reports about kitchen remodels. They rated IKEA, The Home Depot, and Lowe's cabinets as three of the top five in the mainstream category. Someone made a good point about the back part of the cabinet. If I ever redo my kitchen, I would definitely consider IKEA because I like the insides of the cabinets.

[@alvaroramiro8364]

I work in the sector. Ikea quality is mediocre. Their highest quality is ok though. For a tight budget is a good choice. If you have more money to spend I wouldn't go to IKEA.

[@dormantpixi2628]

I'm looking to remodel my kitchen in the next year. Thank you for the ideas and advice. I live in the upper Midwest, so, I am all over the heated floors! I installed it under my flooring in my dining room; best decision I made during that project! Great production values for the video!

[@yzolakitchi]

What a helpful and thoughtful video. The algorithm offered it up - must be all the interior vids I watch! I had a few thoughts for some of your issues if you haven't already sorted them. In the deep drawer where your oil doesn't fit, fit some slanted inserts that keep the bottle almost upright, similar to iDesign clear drawer insert for spices, easy enough to DIY from scrap wood though for a custom fit/best slope angle. With the underheating issue, you can get plinth/kickspace heaters that go just below the cabinets - not sure how these are fitted/cost, but they may be a solution, my friend loves them for warming her ankles and giving some ambient heat. Finally with the microwave surround, if a local carpenter/installer can't see a way to get it fitted by adapting the existing space, I'd say cut your losses and reclaim a bit of the cost by reselling on eBay/Facebook etc so you're not totally out of pocket. The advice on sinks was super helpful. I have stainless steel which never cleans perfectly but I guess is lower maintenance on the whole. I do use a washing-up bowl though which limits staining a little. Thank you for such a great video, have subscribed for more interesting content!

[@DodoKingMan]

Your oven is so clean!

[@avagrego3195]

Thank you so very much for this very helpful video. My son and wife are on their second IKEA kitchen and are very happy with the kitchen. Re white sink. Perhaps it is the quality of the white sink you are buying. I've had white porcelin sinks all my life and they have been perfect and always look good even without scrubbing with ajax or something like that. Even with a stainless steel sink, if one emptys food in a sink a quick rinse with water will not remove all the residue and a quick wipe with a sponge will do the trick. However I do like the rack idea.

[@Robin.Backer]

I don't give any crap about Ikea kitchens but this guy is so relaxing to watch that he just had me stay

[@Raymond.W]

🙏

[@billbabeaux6404]

Legit found this video helpful. I also really appreciate the thoughtfulness and the production quality. At first I was confused by the pizza baking, but it turns into this subtle micro-narrative that gets you more invested in the video overall. Well done, Raymond!

[@Raymond.W]

Thank you for watching 🙏

[@1busybee562]

for anyone wondering. Appliance trim kits require a 3" larger cabinet (24" trim kit goes on a 27" cab) it has to do with ventilation & the attachment. as a former kitchen designer at a big box store i always steered people towards 16-18gauge stainless steel sink (16g if there's a garbage disposal. Speaking of garbage disposals..biggest money trap and most unnecessary "appliance." Ask any plumber.) Colored sinks, even the "granite composition" ones scratch and stain. It's commonly a cheap coating over steel. Cast iron & porcelain can also chip. Acrylic/solid surface are the worst they stain, scratch, and burn. These are not the solid cast iron sinks from 30+ years ago. But if you have one, try a 50/50 vinegar water solution with a drop of dawn to keep it relatively clean. I bought a house that has one (i already knew i'd be replacing it when i bought the house.)

[@strngenchantedgirl]

If your kitchen sink is porcelain try bar keepers friend. It works on porcelain, stainless steel, and aluminum among many other surfaces.

[@benjaminkristilasiewicz4225]

Bar Keeper’s Friend is great! I use it for the bathtub, sinks, and pots and pans. But, the powder is where it’s at - the liquid version separates and will not remix and solidifies at the bottom, rendering it useless.

[@kpluse]

I was about to add this comment when I saw yours. It's the best stuff!

[@matthewhughes3765]

Bar Keepers Friend is what you need. Bon Ami is good but powdered BKF is the best. No need to work hard - just gently move it around with a Scotch / 3M no-scratch sponge and give it a few minutes to work. It has an acid in it that does a lot of the work. I’ve used it to clean stains off of century old white glazed terra cotta cladding and cornice work.

[@LeslieAlexis]

Hi Raymond, Screw - get a countersink bit and countersink the screw that will solve your screw design problem. Sink-Bar keepers friend (oxalic acid) that will solve your sink staining issue. Bleach doesn’t work as well. Clorox clean up is VOC hell. Then use tile /grout /stone sealer every few months or as needed. I like “511 impregnater sealer” (scrub with the BKF first make sure it’s clean.) Microwave - if you tell me the material your trim is I can tell you how to save it. Floor- I live in Florida so… heated floors aren’t a thing here. But, we do love our Aircon! So, I get it. I would look into “rugable” by far the best decision for kitchen because they are washable runners. You think a runner won’t be enough but it will. Good video… great production!

[@Raymond.W]

This is amazing! Thank you for taking the time to share this.

[@LeslieAlexis]

@@Raymond.W my pleasure. Let me know how you make out. All Best!

[@chloemonette7427]

We installed an IKEA kitchen in our home about a year ago and we love it! Only downside is that we got the matte green cabinets (which I fell in love with and still love) but they show every single grease mark! Hard to keep clean! Also we have a black sink and we LOVE it, would never do stainless steel again since they always look dirty. Mind you, we went with a pricey Blanco sink but absolutely no regrets since we use our sink every day and it looks brand new.

[@5516deedee]

Do u have pictures anywhere of your kitchen

[@Tony2dH]

Nice to hear your experience! We were going to go with the matte green until I read about them staining easily so good to hear that confirmed. We'll choose another option. We're probably still gonna get a steel sink though.

[@catara.]

We had a black Blanco sink a few years ago, in old apartment. I miss it so much, so easy to maintain in comparing with stainless one. I noticed that Ikea have some strange material for bathroom sink, it looked like it's stains easy and just wiping wouldn't be enough. That was the reason why I didn't buy it. Maybe it's the same with kitchen one.

[@johaneklund1547]

I also have the matte green color on my cabinets and I agree with you stains are immediately visible just by touching the cabinets or there is a little splash from something you do in the kitchen. Thinking of leaving my doors and drawers for painting with matte clear coat.

[@kathyfann]

I love my IKEA kitchen at 14 years old and it is fabulous. It still looks fantastic. I watch the cabinets twice a year and they just look stunning.

[@spoddie]

Great tip on the white sink, won't make that mistake. One point I'll add. A big benefit of Ikea is that you can buy replacement parts easily. I smashed a door, and getting replacing it was so easy.

[@ShaferHart]

that's actually a good point. You can also be creative and buy parts and customize after the fact. I've done it with simple stuff like stands but I can see how it would apply to the kitchen's as well.

[@donnahenderson4727]

May I make some suggestions…take everything out of packaging and put in organization containers. You can the purchase a glass container for olive oil that will fit in drawer. I would also suggest buying plastic containers (basket) to put all the new containers in. This Weill keep everything neat and tidy I all the drawers. Maybe buy standard size spice containers and transfer everything into them.

[@ForeverEclectic]

Great video. I installed an IKEA kitchen in my last house, and I loved it. The cabinet doors were a bit lightweight, so if I had to do it again...I would probably use a different company for the fronts. My parents have had the same white porcelain sink for about 30 years.....a little Ajax and Lime Rust Spray (let it sit for a few minutes) keeps it looking beautiful. 😊

[@iamallaboutfood7242]

We have some carpenter friends and most of them have confessed to buying Ikea bodies and then just custom making everything else. They are cost effective and sturdy

[@lindagear9014]

The last house I owned had a heated floor in the kitchen which I loved and yes it adds to the ambiant heat as well as being comfortable to spend time on, the previous owners installed it (thank you) and they pointed out to us that the floor tiles extended under the units to the walls incase we wished to change the layout but the heating did not go under the cabinets which was helpful to know. Thanks for the useful input on the kitchen - especially the pizza stone as I am thinking of buying one. Good video.

[@stum7396]

Planning an IKEA kitchen ATM. Brilliant video mate thanks!

[@DJDJ-ek9tu]

For white sinks to stay white, first clean and than apply boat wax to the sink will last 6 months to a year. Have a Kohler sink that is 30 years old and still looks brand new 😊

[@victoriabarclay3556]

I love my cast iron white Kohler as well! it cost a lot and worth every penny. mine's not pure white anymore, but I don't care. main stains come out with baking soda or bleach. but I"ll try your boat wax trick!.

[@DHen-ye2iv]

Works on fiberglass shower walls too. Too slippery for floors or tubs though.

[@CH-px1fw]

Does the boat wax build up over time?

[@DHen-ye2iv]

@@CH-px1fw I only did it once, maybe twice over many years. It stayed shiny.

[@dantosinferne]

Thank you! I'm gonna try this!

[@steelsunpi]

I put in an Ikea kitchen when we rebuilt our house after a flood. Only regret I have on the cabinets is not redoing the walls and ceiling to be closer to 90 degree and leveler. The space between the upper cabinets and the ceiling in some areas, can vary by up to 1". I'll eventually fix this with crown molding. We got all white and I find the easy to clean. We got a farmhouse style white sink. Yes it's easy to stain. Bleach and "bartenders friend" cleans it though. Biggest regret is the stove/oven. We bought their flat glass top style. 1/2 the burners don't get hot enough, and the over takes forever. The bottom pan tray also never stays on the track.

[@Cityheart221]

Thank you for sharing about the stove and oven. I will consider your review when choose my replacement.

[@jeyre5996]

Really appreciate the detailed comments about the Ikea hinges and screws. And of course about the sink.

[@tendo102]

We’ve had our ikea kitchen a year and a half now, we absolutely love it and I am so impressed. We have a white Havsen sink and we’ve never had issues with staining so that’s such a shame you do with yours. We did have an ikea Gamlesjön tap which looked great, but I hated it because it would splash so much, that’s pretty much one of the only things we changed. But other then that, I love it. The cabinet fronts (Lerhyttan grey) clean up really nice and don’t get marked as easily as I was worried they might. The work tops we went for the Oak effect Säljan which was I swear only £40 for 186cm lengths but I think they’ve gone up in price, but even with that, they are what I am most impressed about because I was most nervous considering the price. They look fantastic and have held up beautifully, they look as good as the day they were installed.

[@Jin-vn1xu]

Hi, would you recommend Havsen sink? I’d love to install that for my future kitchen but this video actually puts me off to do so…😭

[@tendo102]

@@Jin-vn1xu hi! I'm yet to have any staining or scratches on the Havsen sink even since writing this comment so from my personal expierence, it's all good on that front. The only thing I would consider is if we were to do it again, we would probably opt for a ceramic sink that also had a tap hole. With the tap hole being separate, it gets wet around that area a lot and because the lip of the sink, it's hard to clean around it. But other then that, it's great value for a ceramic sink at the price point, good luck 😊

[@Jin-vn1xu]

Thanks for the reply! Really appreciated. I’ll have a look if I can find a better option with a tap hole. 👍🏼 have a lovely day Laura 😘

[@lisawesterterp988]

Worth every penny!! My Ikea kitchen is 15 years old and looks great.. all soft close and door pulls still in perfect shape... Lisa Austin, TX

[@laurac56]

I have a white vintage double porcelain sink in my kitchen and a stainless double in my laundry room. I much prefer the porcelain one. I scrub it with something and then spray with bleach cleaner like you do. Very simple. I would always choose the porcelain over stainless.

[@avagrego3195]

me too

[@kellyb8237]

Do they crack easily? I'm a bit clumsy , dropping heavy pots in sink. I suppose porcelain sink works like most porcelain bathroom sinks. Never saw one crack.

[@laurac56]

@@kellyb8237 My sink is from 1964. I moved in in 2004. I’m sure many things have been dropped in 59 years. No cracks here. Now, whether the newer ones are made as well, I have no idea.

[@egads4519]

@@kellyb8237 we installed a porcelain sink in 2012 and I am clumsy as heck and no cracks or scratches. I hated the constant water spots in our previous stainless steel sink, so the occasional bleaching of the porcelain is a breeze compared to the multiple times a day wiping down of stainless.

[@baylorbearess]

I really appreciate the 1 year follow up. So many home renos look amazing right after it’s done, and it should! But really >1 year is what we all need to see to make good kitchen reno choices . Wonderfully made video, loved watching it, such high quality!

[@jorasparents]

I've had my IKEA kitchen for 15 years. The backs of my cabinets are the same as the sides -- nice and solid. I have the Akurum/Adel style that they don't make anymore. Fed 4 people, cooked nearly everything from scratch, so plenty of heavy use. Still going strong. Even the finish is still great. eta Also, your kitchen looks great!

[@robster7787]

I have a 100% SECTION ikea installation in my kitchen and its help up amazingly. When did I install them? 2010. I will admit that I have changed the cabinet doors *because you can hot-swap them for different looks for really cheap* 2:50 As for your hinge situation, you need to get the 130° hinges over the 110° hinges. It clears the cabinet completely. Also, IKEA has a 1 year return window regardless if open/used or brand new, so tbh its kinda on you to change those hinges. I’ve returned entire kitchen hinge collections for the wider angle ones 6 months into using them. IIRC, its like 40 pairs of hinges. As for drawer height, those can also be customized as drawer faces has a joining plate where it makes drawer spaces taller and more room. Can’t argue with the sink. I’m with you on that. The biggest takeaway is that IKEA cabinet features are insanely customizable and compatible with all sorts of things. You need to really get creative and think outside the box on the setup and provisions. As for my Ethos related points, I literally spent the last two months building an entire kitchen and laundry room for a family friend and the planning was insanely well done.

[@AmberBocks3000]

I’ve had an IKEA kitchen for over 5 years. I’d do it all over again if I had to. All my lower cabinets are drawers. At the time, they did not have 21” drawers, so I created drawers in a 21” cabinet. I have an extra step of opening a door to get to the drawers, but I do not mind at all. Oh, and Roberta’s dough recipe is a great one.

[@shinnam]

Are the cabinets wood or laminate? I am so unhappy with my laminate and chipboard cabinets, I am considering replacing them.

[@AmberBocks3000]

@@shinnam, I too had chipboard prior to these. Ikea cabinets are made of MDF which is not exactly chipboard - they are more solid. The chipboard does warp. The shelves in these seem sturdier. The doors have a melamine foil covering, so it is a veneer of sorts. They are considered more on the low end of price because they are not solid wood. They have a good warranty, so the company stands behind their product. If you want or can spend more, you may want to look at a higher end cabinets. They weren’t necessary for my needs.

[@shinnam]

Thanks for the thoughtful reply. I live in Sweden,there is not a lot of choice in the market. Unless I want to either pay a lot for other cabinets( 2X IKEA) or get custom made, IKEA is the the only option. My cabinets don't have the foil linings, maybe they have added that because of the problems.

[@DrDonO]

Mr. Raymond - Excellent information, Thank You for sharing! I can share (having done many) that you could 'hack' your kitchen with another manufacturer's custom spice rack. These are narrow and full height so you plan one Between two Ikea cabinets; you may have to shrink the width of the adjacent cabs to accommodate a typical ~8-15" wide x 30" tall spice rack. Then you cut a matching Ikea door face to size and buy their matching finish banding Ikea sells to 'cap' the cut edge. Also, as a landlord, stick w/ stainless, thick sinks (i.e., don't go cheap) and skip any probs long term. Thanks again!

[@cameliap1146]

Thank you for the video. Here my second IKEA kitchen. Very pleased with. I have only drawers in the lower cabinets. I don't have to open a drawers to find an other drawer ( drawer within a drawer) - it's a nonsense to me (?)- " Maximera" system works like a charm ! I put my microwave in an closed/ hiden (with door) upper cabinet . Very nice( no 👀 clutter) . But because I'm only 160cm/5'3" , I have to be very careful with liquids (hot). Gives me some 😱 when I use it. Nice, but not ergonomic/ safe 😒. Heated floor is amazing ! I have it in the kitchen and bathroom. After trying it you can't live without it !!! I don't think we save on the expenses side of heating ( it works 24/24) but the feeling and comfort is just...wow ! An other options for a " neutral" feeling under the feet ( not the ceramic cold one) is hardwood in the kitchen ( I have an open concept kitchen/ livingroom, so, full hardwood floor).And kork in the bathroom. ( I have it in the previous condo). Works pretty well. But I'm single and I'm careful.- Maybe not be a good idea if there are children in the 🏠 (?!)- I don't know the white one sink, but I bought the under the counter stainless steel one. It stains easily and requires lot of maintenance ( at least mine). But overall, IKEA kitchen is a good and nice one. I love my Yttran kitchen faucet with pull-out spout !

[@Raymond.W]

What brand of floor heating?

[@cameliap1146]

@@Raymond.W mine is Stelpro/Réno Dépôt . Montrealer here !

[@johnkim1043]

Really appreciate the thoughtful and candid feedback!

[@biancas.6283]

Yep, after almost 5 years with an Ikea kitchen, I agree with everything you said! :)

[@MarciesWhimsySoaps]

Whew! Amen to the radiant heat flooring! I dont have it and I live on top of a ridge. When the north winds blow, I have a radiant freezer living room!

[@LesaBear612]

I do not like stainless sinks. I’ve had them. Unless you towel it dry, it always looks spotted. Black is worse, it never looks good. A few years ago I installed a “granito“ sink. It’s textured, you’d think it would be awful, however, it is fantastic. I love it. Easy to clean, no spots, looks good, always. I’m having the same kind put in my new kitchen.

[@Raymond.W]

“Granito” is new to me. I’ll have to look into this. More expensive?

[@LesaBear612]

@@Raymond.W I’m not sure if it’s still called that. It’s a granite composite. They come in a variety of colors, mine is a beige. Slightly more expensive than stainless, but I really like it so much better.

[@dlhoppe7332]

My new and very tiny condo ikea kitchen is 95% finished. I’ve been planning, researching and saving for over 20 years! Your video is wonderful - the music is soothing, your voice is calming, and the info is very helpful. Also, enjoyed watching you make your pizza! What other videos to you generate? Thanks, Raymond. Good luck with your channel! The

[@DeanneMariaCreates]

Ikea supply 153 degree hinges. I am currently fitting my own and I've designed it myself. I am making good use of the end panels and I purchased lots of end panels and have used those under my wall cabinets to hide the wires to the lights. I do not like those plastic "tunnels" which Ikea supply, so I routed channels into the underside of the panels and then fixed the lighting. The wiring cannot be seen. I have never fitted a kitchen before; however, I sat down and planned, planned and planned. I taught myself so much; not everything is here on KZbin. Overall my kitchen is coming on fine and I will make a video once is is completed.

[@SalvatoreP-d9r]

Have you made the video? I would love to see it. You sound very talented from what you have already explained.

[@passiveaggressive6175]

Just about to install a kitchen and I was heavily advised to install a stainless steel and not white delicate ceramic farmhouse sink. I was really upset but watching your vlog I’m now relived 🙏🙏🙏. Thanks 😊

[@cazlee4493]

Well done. Great video.We have been installing Ikea kitchens since 2005, they've all been excellent value. Good tip on the white sink - it seems they're back in style these days. I grew up with one, however, it was never my job to clean it!

[@shinnam]

"Have been installing IKEA cabinets..." Have you had to use them and live with them? How are they holding up around the sink? The EU has stricter rules for what materials and adhesives can be used. If you are not in the EU maybe they hold up better? Been in Sweden 14 years, first apartment was brand new. The IKEA aminate cabinets around the sink started to get bubbles and the chip board expanded where it was exposed within a year. Also the shelf pins started to pull out as well. Bought a 7 year old apartment and the laminate cabinets around the sink had the same problem, so it wasn't just those cabinets. It has wood counter tops, and they are hard to maintain. They stain easily around the sink the wood is growing black mold. I have to sand them and recoil at least every four months to keep them looking sanitary. Mold inhibitors don't help. I had the plastic laminate countertops in the other apartment, after 12 years they didn't look new, but still looked sanitary. Everyone I have asked with newer IKEA cabinets have similar problems. The 20 year old IKEA cabinets seem to hold up much better.

[@jenniewesterlund2898]

Hi, I just wanted to recommend that you put the tiny white plastic-covers on the sides of the drawers. It looks way better that way and it comes with the drawer so you should already have them 👍🏻

[@Raymond.W]

Actually I lost my side cover on one of them. 🥺 I’ll have to see if ikea offers free replacements.

[@amythieu2424]

Mmmm good to know about the heated floors!

[@Raymond.W]

In newer custom homes, they sometimes have the entire basement flooring heated and that keeps the heating cost down for the home because the hot air will rise. I want that!!

[@pilijones4801]

In about to install myself my Ikea kitchen and I’m a bit intimidated by the job so all and every advice is immensely welcome. Your review is specific which make your video unique. It has being useful and a piece of mind. Great job. Thanks.

[@ae5631]

i have my ikea kitchen now for 20 years and the only thing thats not so pretty anymore are the edges, that are often in contact with water/steam. the rest is in really good shape.

[@666hanii]

Our Ikea kitchen is as old as me 32! It looks great my parents fixed the paint one time in between and we cook and eat in it every day many times.

[@sailorgirl2017]

I completely agree with the white sink. I thought I wanted one until I bought a house with one and hated the maintenance. I didn't replace it because it was a special order corner double sink, with the second sink that was round and had a built-in drain "board". We knew we would be selling the house in a few years to move back to Canada so it was not something I was about to invest in.

[@renolittle4950]

I find bar keepers friend works well.

[@sailorgirl2017]

@@renolittle4950 Living aboard a sailboat now with a lovely huge and deep stainless sink so don't ever have to worry about that again :)

[@nalanimulcahy8451]

My kitchen doesn't even have plasterboard atm, putting that in this week, so this has been a super helpful review, thanks.

[@jeanlow129]

Tip for the white sink. My mother would put a splash of bleach in the sink with about an inch of hot water after she washed dinner dishes to soak her dish cloth. She would then wipe the counters and backsplash, all with white grout, and do a quick wash of the sink. Her grout and sink remained white with minimal daily effort.

[@harrycopeland8322]

Not for septic systems

[@katehobbs2008]

I put in a white ikea sink and never had a problem, loved it.

[@Mahsajoyce]

Love this kitchen! We got stainless steel for our new kitchen, white looks so nice but ain't nobody got time for that!

[@Raymond.W]

White sinks are perfect for people who don't cook! and have no kids. and don't drink coffee. and...

[@Mahsajoyce]

@@Raymond.W 😆😆 exactly

[@cameliap1146]

The stainless steel ( the under the counter one) still stain and requires lot of maintenance ( at least mine) .

[@Pandorash8]

Thank you for this review and update. It’s so helpful. I had a white enamelled farmhouse sink in my last house and I didn’t have a staining problem. I wonder if it’s to do with the finish… I will be careful to buy a similar one again in my next kitchen so it doesn’t stain (I don’t love stainless steel sinks).

[@wombatnumbat989]

Great points to think about. We are re-doing our kitchen next month and, although we didn't use Ikea, you've given us good ideas to consider and questions to ask! Hope your channel keeps growing.

[@willoverkill8461]

Very informative thank you! -I found the disposal pullout door flimsy if you have the handle on a near full length door and all the support is at the bottom. -I won't get an IKEA faucet again, had a couple and they all rock and become loose mid-body unless I remove them and reassemble them. -I got glass shelves for all upper cabinets even if no glass doors, find them sturdy and easy to clean, and they won't warp. -For the end panels on lower cabinets, get one for the 80" tall cabinets and then rip them to length, then you'll have an end panel the goes right to the floor, can do two end panels with one 80" tall end panel.

[@rashoncarraway]

Currently working on an ikea kitchen. Your video was amazing.

[@Raymond.W]

It’s so worth it once you’re done!

[@alphonsusho8962]

I agree with the IKEA quality. I’ve hastily built Ikea cabinets/drawers and they come out misaligned and not the best. But when you carefully install it correctly which can include additional fixes and tricks, it comes out a lot better and last longer.

[@karend.9218]

Agreed on the white sink. Also, I just installed an ikea kitchen for a client, used a max tall drawer in a base with door mounted on the front as a 15” pullout. There is a kit for that to convert it. Btw, if you show me the trim kit and the issues in a video, I can offer some advice. Will subscribe to get notified. Great production value! Cheers,

[@notverynotoriousg5674]

I rent with a white sink, and I just ignore the stains, it stays coffee brown in the bottom I fully realize that it would make a lot of people crazy, but its just too much effort cleaning your sink every time you use it.

[@LesleyRowland]

Great video!! Some heated floors are so pricy but quite the luxury! In TX, because it's so hot here, there are not a lot of people who do it so there's no competitive pricing (even though we get terrible ice storms.) Vinyl floors are pretty good at keeping at a neutral temperature at least.

[@clara0hernandez]

very useful information and very well presented. Gave a thumb up & subscribed. Btw, agree with you on the white sink. SS is the way to go, preferably 16 ga, though perhaps 18+ for a rental.

[@van9791]

For the white or black sink, I had both and I suggest the clay stone cleaning product. It is absolutely efficient, easy to use, and not toxic. So it can also be use to make any iron shiny such as stainless steel, any delicate silver, brass etc. But also the glass cooker, ceramic etc. It just need to be used with a wet sponge, and wiped out with a microfiber.😊

[@antonia8382]

Have you tried using soft scrub on your sink stains? That has always made white sinks easy to clean for me!

[@ericpeysar2593]

Some good critical advice explaining what you have learned so we dont have to learn it the hard way. I agree Ikea does make a good kitchen. Totally agree on the flimsy backing. I would also put some thin plywood on the back as well. I put an ikea kitchen in my moms house 15 years ago and it still looks brand new. She did say if she had little kids, she may have gone with higher end cabinets for wear and tear. But for two retired people, she loved it. Also some great advice on pull out drawers - we should have done that too. 👍

[@babbsfangirl8254]

Loving your video styling

[@Raymond.W]

🙏

[@jvcastro01]

Thank you so much for sharing you experience. We are about to design and purchase our kitchen cabinets with IKEA and the timing on this video came just perfect. Thank you so much!!!

[@annemariesmith5459]

Try baking soda and vinegar for the sink stains. Works great and it's non-toxic

[@Raymond.W]

Thank you for that tip! I have lots of vinegar from Costco lying around

[@sweetjane6506]

I agree with you about stainless steel vs white sinks. There's nothing more annoying than having to keep one eye on the sink when you're cooking! I was happy with my Ikea kitchen and it was easy to customize. I chose black plus a wood and glass upper cabinet. I added a Douglas fir crown moulding that only cost $60 and looked great. I might do the same thing again with white cabinets in my new kitchen.

[@sassygirl6407]

Who thought a video about IKEA kitchens could be so relaxing? It's almost like an ASMR video 😴

[@ambek7030]

get some storage containers for the sugar draw and everything will fit at the same height

[@firedupinfrance]

I completely agree! Our IKEA kitchen is still going strong after 10 years!

[@Docs2be]

Thank you for the tips. One of the big pearls I took away was to avoid a white sink- esp when it comes to rentals.

[@Raymond.W]

White sinks look amazing when they’re clean. Maybe there is another brand that resists staining better, I’ll have to look into that.

[@imansfield]

Oh God yes, we just had a Blanco silgranit white sink installed. Never again! It’s stains very easily and takes a lot of scrubbing to get it clean.

[@joeprestera2239]

Great video. Ended kind of abruptly thought. About the sink, I installed a Blanco black sink in our last house. It is more of a charcoal than black and loved it. Will do it again for next reno.

[@acrossNabroadTravel]

Hello and thank you for the well informed videos about your kitchen. Would you share the name of the shades in your kitchen window? And where did you get them 😊

[@Raymond.W]

The shades were custom from from a guy here in Toronto. If you live in the GTA also, I can share with you his contact.

[@sophiegrisom]

Remodeling our kitchen, stripped to the framing (to raise the 1972 sunken ceiling). Like you, I will tile all the way to the walls so can use an exposed-leg oven and rearrange counters in the future. Sinks and fixtures are always changing, so try to allow for future designs. Re comfort, perhaps wire the microwave to run w/ door open, to heat people directly and save on the heating bill.

[@katherinestephens7674]

Excellent review. Thank you

[@Raymond.W]

🙏

[@user-iu6bv8vu8o]

Thanks for the tip on white sinks- I have a stainless steel for years & was thinking of changing to something white- I will keep my stainless!!

[@zuziasue7980]

Bar keepers friend (powder or spray) would work great on that sink

[@Raymond.W]

I’m going to give it a try!

[@Urbandale89]

Bar Keeper’s Friend powder is a life saver with anything porcelain!

[@richardf6932]

I helped a friend install his Ikea kitchen. I was skeptical at first but impressed how well thoughtout some of the compoents are made. It does come with lots of little parts so you have to keep track them. Also, some of the designs come and go so if you decide to expand later, some of the parts aren't available.

[@vals9986]

Great vid, Raymond. You're offering a very valuable service having lived with your design choices for a year to give an informative review of what you might do differently. Thank you and I hope to see more. I love your kitchen

[@Raymond.W]

Glad it was helpful!

[@raphi154farel5]

Got heated floors in my house. Very nice. To not trap the heat below the cabinets I did not close the base like most kitchens. I did put the cabinets on stainless steel feets. Enables a good airflow and keeps enough clearance to let the Roomba do it's work below the cabinet.

[@kimberlydeguglielmo3011]

Love your kitchen...I'm thinking about doing Ikea too. What size are your drawers?

[@Raymond.W]

Thank you. Is there a specific drawer you’re referring to? Most of the drawer fronts in the video are are 14 3/4” tall. Width depends on the specific cabinet. Hope this helps!

[@kimberlydeguglielmo3011]

Yes, it does. I'm looking forward to more videos from you.

[@shinnam]

Just a couple of pieces of advice; don't buy the cheap laminate cabinets. They don't hold up around the sink. The laminate bubbles and buckles exposing the chip board which expands from the humidity. Looks like chipboard acne. I live in Sweden, and all the newer cabinets are pimpling around the sinks. Sweden has pretty strict rules for what chemicals can be used, so IKEA may use stronger adhesives and laminates in other countries. Do NOT get the IKEA wooden counter tops, they stain easily and grow a black mold around the sink. I have to sand and re oil them at least every 4 months to keep them looking sanitary. Tried using mold treatments, they don't help and I am dubious about using the chemicals around my sink.

[@cameliap1146]

@@shinnam try to clean/ whip up the water around your sink immediately. Not leave it soaking. The kitchen is not designed like a swimming pool ! I have non of your problems.

[@shinnam]

@@cameliap1146 Not good advice especially if one cooks.The tap is set directly into the wood, and sink is counter sunk to into the wood counter top with the wood edges directly exposed to the water, silicon caulk exacerbates the problem with the wood, because it traps moisture. There is no place to put any kind of drain board for handwashing. Maybe if there was a blow dryer above the sink enough moisture would be removed. Leave anything on the counter near the sink and it will leave a water mark. Assuming accusations are not gracious or kind, makes the world a more angry place.

[@TheHungryCubanAdventures]

Great presentation of the content. Came here for the Ikea cabinets stated for the show. Well done my friend.

[@barbaraz.5396]

6:19 how interesting, we have a white farmhouse sink from IKEA and it hasn’t stained in the 2 years we have had it.

[@Raymond.W]

I’m curious if different brands use different finishes that resist staining better

[@aliciav7460]

We have a white farmhouse Koehler sink that we installed two years ago and we haven’t had any problems with it staining, either. I use Barkeepers Friend every evening after the dinner dishes get cleaned up. It always looks clean and bright.

[@cameliap1146]

@@Raymond.W I think your sink is the acylic one , not the ceramic one.