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Ikea Kitchen Planning Service - design tweaks?

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

Our Ikea Kitchen Planner created our design. We already had a basic layout per the architect so it was really just measuring and cabinet placement.

Unfortunately, my original design idea didn't work and had cabinets too close together that would not have opened. We are now at 11 cabinets with a 24" dishwasher instead of 14 cabinets with an 18" dishwasher. We went ahead and bought the new dishwasher.

I realized that my cookie sheets and some pans/lids wouldn't fit into the drawers the way I had it designed. We now have drawers at 5, 10, 15. I added pullouts at the top of the pantry since I've lost things in the pantry in the past as well as ended up with duplicates since I couldn't see what was already there.

Any suggestions on tweaks? We are ordering at the end of the week.

We had to add a column that was not on plan in order to get electric on the fixed island. Our building does not allow channeling into the floor or ceiling.

Thanks!

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Comments (10)

AnnKH
7 years ago
Have you gone through the exercise of what you will store where? Dishes, flatware, cooking utensils, pots and pans, potholders, storage containers, spices. Figure out how your things will fit into the new cabinets, then go through the steps of preparing a meal and cleaning up after. Your cookie sheets and cake pans can be stored vertically (using dividers) above the fridge.

I am not a fan of upper angled cabinets (having lived with two) - I love my new easy-reach uppers.

Will the upper cabinet above the sink be in your face?
dcward89
7 years ago
I don't think the pullouts in the top of your pantry are a good idea. If you have to get on a step stool to reach those and then pull the pullout out, towards where you are standing on a step stool...not a good plan. If you have your step stool to the side, the door(s) of the pantry will be in the way.
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If you're also planning for the future when she's out & on her own, then you might want to reconsider the pantry. A walk-in pantry is great storage for all manner of things...from food to small appliances to utility items...all set at whatever level you want (and, "modular"). If the door is 3' wide, Lauren should be able to get in to it and, for now, you could store most things w/in her reach. Then, later, you can store things w/in your reach. I would also not limit myself to an undercounter refrigerator. At the very least, be sure to leave a place to put a regular refrigerator later. Leaning over to get things out of a refrigerator drawer may become an issue for you later (light items, like yogurts or butter will be fine, but heavier items like milk or juice will probably be easier if they're at chest-height or slightly lower for you). You may want to compromise and get one or two refrigerator drawers and store things most often used/needed by Lauren and everything else in a regular refrigerator. OR, you might consider getting a top-freezer refrigerator so most, if not all, items in the refrigerated section are reachable by Lauren and then maybe a freezer drawer or two to store things Lauren might want & then store the less-used items in the top freezer. Dishwasher Drawers--I don't think you can go wrong w/these....they're even better for young, non-disabled folks! The same w/wall ovens...easier for everyone than an oven in a stove. MW drawer...I don't know. We're getting our first one. It would definitely be better for Lauren but I don't know how it will be for you as you age. I've entered the 50+ group and I'm hoping I don't regret getting a drawer that I'll have to lift items from rather than just take out from chest-height. Cooktop...controls on the side or in the front (if no small children around) would work best for everyone, I think. No reaching across a hot cooktop or hot food. Lauren's desk/workplace would probably also make a great future baking center if the counters are slightly lower. Just some thoughts! HTH!
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Our IKEA store has a $99 design service where a local designer will sit with you and do the design - it was well worth it for us - even though we're continuing to tweak the plans and layout - but it's a good solid start!
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Those of you who did this, can you tell me about the process? I thought the first step (after deciding you want to use Ikea) would be to have the planner come to your house to do the planning, and then you would go to the store to actually try things out and order. However, after reaching out to Ikea online (I could not find a phone number for kitchens), they said I have to go to the store to schedule the appointment. That's annoying, but it's only a half hour drive, so it's doable. Here's my question: do I just go there, schedule the appointment, and leave (and then go back after the in-home session)? Or is this the Ikea visit that I have heard people mention on here where you go early and plan to stay for hours? I assumed that would only happen if you are not paying them to come to your house, but maybe not, and I'd like to know how much time to allow for this trip to *schedule* the home visit. TIA!
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Hi damiarain, thanks for your taking the time to look at this, let me explain the reasoning for few of the things you discuss: 1. The cabinet next to the fridge is not a pantry, its a pull out cleaning closet, for a broom, swiffer, microfiber mop, vaccum cleaner... We dont really have anywhere else on the main floor to put these cleaning gear. If we remove this cabinet from the kitchen we'd still need to have a cabinet or closet somewhere else on the main floor for these items as i do not think its convenient to have these in the basement or upper floor. I did try to place this elsewhere but settled to have it near the sink as it made sense (garbage is under sink) but am open to relocating it. 2. Concerning the cooktop, although the base cabinet is 36in, the cooktop itself is actually 30 7/8" . The hidden range hood is 30in width with 385 CFM, i was told this would be ok but your comment is making me doubt that now... Could this be an issue? The height distance between cooktop and hidden range hood is 18.5in in case that matters? In terms of aesthetics, I do like this hidden style, i generally find that the classic range hoods (the ones with a lip sticking out of the cabinet) are ugly, alternatively the other chimney range hoods styles can be very nice however i find they look better when there is a lot of clearance on both sides of the chimney hood, it generally means more backsplash ($$) and less storage. When chimney range hood are squeezed in between cabinets i find it a bit awkward, the whole point of these chimney hood i find is to be kind of a accent/focal point, so it kinda defeat the purpose if its narrowly flanked by cabinets that hide it.. So i went with the hidden fan style instead, it creates a clean uniform look with the other cabinet around. 3. the idea with all the cabinets is that it creates a lot of vertical panels that are all the same size, so again it looks clean and symmetrical and i was reading that one way to make a room appear bigger is to draw the eye to the ceiling which can be achieved with lines. In the example you shared, the corner space seems to be kinda lost? im not sure how it works, there is that 21' cabinet in front of another cabinet thats in the corner partly obstructed. 4. You are right about the microwave being a bit high, we changed the location of the microwave a few times, but we found that having it a bit higher (still usable) is better than having it in a base cabinet (under counter), we rather tippy toe than bend down ;).
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Katrina Tate
Original Author
7 years ago
AnnKH Unfortunately, there will be 3 transformers for the kable lights in that fridge cabinet. They are bigger than I expected. The space will be usable and cookie sheets will certainly fit.

I am not in love with the angled corner cabinet. The sublet we are in has one with a lazy Susan inside and I don't like it. However, I didn't realize there was an option. Off to research "easy reach" cabinets. The designer didn't mention it or offer it as an idea although he mentioned that we were lucky to have him since he's a trained interior designer. Maybe it's not an option with Ikea?

I hadn't done a mock run through of making a meal. I suppose I could try that with the plans laid out to see how it would function. I am planning to put the utensils and tools on the island in the two top drawers.

No, I'm short so the sink cabinet won't be in my face.
Katrina Tate
Original Author
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
dcward89 Thanks. I'm short and have always kept a step stool handy to reach things in the kitchen. I used a dining chair for years but after it tipped over while I was trying to reach something, I invested in a step stool. The items kept at the top of the pantry (in our old kitchen) are light bulbs, Swiffer duster replacements, cleaning supplies, WD40 and a few tools (screwdriver, hammer).
sheloveslayouts
7 years ago
Did you account for the thickness of a finish panel on the (appears to be exposed) side if the range or the thickness of a non-combustible material on the range side of the pantry/high cabinet?
Katrina Tate
Original Author
7 years ago
benjesbride That actually did come up with the designer. Hubby says he doesn't want the extra panel to cover the exposed side of the range. We have the space for it and I may just add it anyway. I think it will look unfinished without the panel on that side. We can probably use a scrap from one of the other panels.

There is a panel on the pantry side of the range though. The designer marked it for us on the install plans. The designer said we don't need to be worried about the heat from the range against the panel or the pantry.
Katrina Tate
Original Author
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
It turns out that my concern raised with the Ikea designer about the frame being visible even when the cabinet is closed was valid. I confirmed that the frame will show if we use the corner cabinet.
Celia Lin
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
I would like the fridge and range to be switched, if it were my kitchen.

I really like to be able to talk to people, perhaps those standing at the island or in the rest of the house, while I'm cooking. Otherwise your back would be turned and disengaged.

I've always liked a central spot for stoves, it's great for parties, holidays, letting kids help cook, talking to your partner or friends, or just getting a view or having a movie on. It's very inviting.

Visually the taller fridge might look nice next to the tall pantry, too. The sink area would be more exposed, showing off that pretty white apron sink as the central piece it is.

Also youd have more prep area around the stove if it were switched with the fridge.

Not sure if that's logistically possible.
Katrina Tate
Original Author
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Celia Linnemann Unfortunately, we had a lot of constraints based on the building and approvals. We could not get approval to move the gas line. A neighbor did move his gas line, about 5 feet, and when he sold the apartment earlier this year he was fined like $10,000. I don't know if they are requiring the work to be redone. I doubt it though.
Katrina Tate
Original Author
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
AnnKH Going through the steps of preparing meals and cleaning up was a great tip. I went to the construction site and made a few imaginary meals and it helped me decide where to put the pots/pans and dishes. Most of my prep will be on the island (was on the peninsula in the last kitchen) so my storage system will be based around that layout.

I also found out how to create a blind corner cabinet. I do not want to use the Ikea angled corner cabinet, especially since the frame will show. I just need to live with the uppers at the sink being off centered.

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