Giving up: What are some alternatives to IKEA kitchens?

2 years ago

I was planning a kitchen with Sektion base cabinets and Mix-it Modern custom doors. But I've spent months trying to order various Sektion base cabinet frames (I have two out of 11). I simply don't have the time to search for stock every single day for various items, and it doesn't appear that IKEA's supply chain issues will be solved any time soon.

Anyone have recommendations for or experience with any RTA cabinets? We're looking for a modern frameless style, and several of the RTA vendors out there only have traditional styles.

Featured Answer

julieste

2 years ago

I too just recently gave up on IKEA.

Instead I am getting true, built from scratch cabinets made for my kitchen by a local craftsman. It is going to cost me a couple thousand more than I would have paid to get the IKEA cabinets and have them assembled and installed. But, for that couple thousand I am now getting frameless, natural maple cabinetry with slab doors--a look I wasn't able to find at IKEA. And, I am now able to make some cabinet size selections that better match my small U-shaped kitchen and maximize its space.

Good luck.

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Comments (9)

qtaeballard
2 years ago
https://boxibysemihandmade.com/

I don't have any personal experience with their cabinets. I feel your pain with the IKEA crisis.
Danielle Gottwig
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
No experience with it, but we've been toying with the idea of doing barker or barker modern cabinets. Normally I'm ikea all the way, if for no other reason than I've planned and built an ikea kitchen before and liked the result. But we may benefit from some custom sizes this time around. That said, I'm not sure how much savings there is in that option over more budget friendly assembled lines. Once you leave behind the cost efficiency of the ikea system the trade offs aren't as clear. And the door color choices are limited. But it might be one site to hit as you make the rounds.
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Reminds me of several kitchens I have done in an older 1940s neighborhood (Cape Cod Homes). You can certainly do IKEA, but the line is limited. I think you cann design a better kitchen if it's framed. In the small kitchens that I have done in the Cape Cod neighborhood, we did "Framed cabinets" with a 36x36 corner sink.....18" dishwasher, 30" cooktop with an undercounter single oven. You could also do a free standing range....which is what one client chose to do. Here are a few from that neighborhood. These kitchens are all about 8x9 with a window and a dining room door and a door with a step down to basement door and garage door. This was a flip house....removed wall to dining room. This was done 21 years ago. Here is an IKEA kitchen in the same neighborhood. It's beautiful too....but no dishwasher and range area has no countertop space.
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Sheva Interiors
2 years ago
There are some great options with Fabuwood cabinets, CNC cabinetry and the like that have beautiful options that are solid wood and pretty similar pricing to Ikea. Additionally, working with a cabinet vendor who you can tell your needs and wants to and will have good customer service is very important when buying cabinets. Even cheap cabinets are a big purchase and you dont want to waste money on it.
mojavemaria
2 years ago
We have RTA conestoga in kitchen and RTA Barker in bathroom and love both USA made cabinets! There are a lot of different looks in both including more modern styles and they are assembles differently so see which style appeals to you more.
Danielle Gottwig
2 years ago
Mojavemaria - Did you find you have a preference between Conestoga and Barker? Just wondering since you've had experience with both.
darbuka
2 years ago
“Even cheap cabinets are a big purchase and you dont want to waste money on it.”

@Sheva Interiors…then stop suggesting Fabuwood, and the like, as a “good” alternative to IKEA. You made the same statement in another thread, posted today. Those “all wood” cabinets you’re shilling for, are nothing but import junk. All have a myriad of problems.
pluri sistemas
2 years ago
IKEA is amazing!

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Sheva Interiors
2 years ago
darbuka, I get no commission on suggesting Fabuwood or the likes:) I personally have had these brands installed in many homes and clients have been very happy with them. I even had someone tell me they prefer their Fabuwood cabinets to the new custom cabinetry they replaced their kitchen with. I personally installed CNC cabinetry in my condo and I am extremely happy with them. I am sorry for the apparent bad experience you had with these lines.

Giving up: What are some alternatives to IKEA kitchens?

julieste

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qtaeballard

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