Should you buy an IKEA kitchen? Experts weigh in on the pros and cons of these affordable designs

IKEA is renowned for its affordable, simplistic furniture – and their kitchen designs are following suit. Offering a more affordable way to create an instant kitchen, it's no surprise people are so enamored by the brand's kitchen models.

From the various styles, colors, and designs, IKEA kitchen ideas are vast and varied, but are they really a good investment? As with any kitchen design service, there are pros and cons worth considering, but which comes out on top when it comes to IKEA?

To get the low down and find out once and for all whether or not you should buy an IKEA kitchen, we've spoken to experts and homeowners who have experience with the Scandinavian designs. Here's what they had to say.

Should you buy an IKEA kitchen?

Whether or not you should buy an IKEA kitchen will depend on your requirements for your space. Everyone's needs are different, so the best way to make the right decision is to weigh up the pros and cons to see if IKEA's designs work for you. Here's everything you need to know according to experts.

Pros of buying an IKEA kitchen

There are so many benefits to IKEA kitchens – that's why they've proved so popular for so many years. But aside from the fact they are convenient and easy to order, what makes them so desirable?

They're an affordable option

One of the biggest draws of IKEA kitchens is the affordability. Compared to a lot of other brands, they offer a cost-effective kitchen design that's easy to design, order, and fit.

'For most people, an IKEA kitchen is a cost-effective, practical, and stylish solution. IKEA provides high-quality cabinets (melamine-coated particleboard) at reasonable prices and with a free 25-year guarantee, giving customers great value for money plus peace of mind,' adds Anne Clouston, of Plykea.

To put things into perspective, you can purchase a base cabinet frame for as little as $70 – there's even examples of full kitchens for less than $1000. Perfect if you want something affordable while still looking stylish and customizable.

The designs are easy to customize

IKEA kitchens are also easy to customize – much like many of their furniture items, such as the PAX wardrobes – so customers can design a kitchen that's tailored to their style and space.

'IKEA kitchens are a great starting point. They’re affordable, well-designed, and super flexible. Their modular system means you can easily customise the layout, and their carcasses are surprisingly durable,' says Fiona Ginnett, co-founder at HØLTE.

'With a few thoughtful upgrades, like bespoke fronts, you can create something that looks and feels completely unique without breaking the bank,' she adds.

The kitchens nail functional design

As well as the more aesthetic benefits of the brand's designs, they also nail the more functional needs, too. There are options to maximize every space, from deep cupboards to spacious drawers.

'IKEA has lots of solutions for their kitchens, from hidden drawers to inside cupboard lights to kitchen interior. All to help you create the best kitchen and also to fit the budget you have,' says a spokesperson for Superfront.

It's these details that really count when you're designing a kitchen – being able to utilize every inch of storage is key, so having these functional add-ons for your drawers and cabinets allows you to design a more practical space.

'Their storage solutions, like pull-out drawers and organisers, are brilliant for maximising space. The cabinets themselves are solid, and because they use standard sizes, they’re easy to customize,' adds Fiona.

Long guarantee on appliances

Something IKEA does really well but isn't well-known is its appliance guarantee. A standard manufacturer's warranty in the US usually lasts between 1 and 2 years, but IKEA's is often much longer.

'IKEA appliances come with a free 5 year guarantee (except the LAGAN and TILLREDA ranges, which have a 2 year guarantee) – an increase on most other brands. The dishwashers are manufactured by Bosch/AEG/Whirlpool - worth considering to ensure a seamless fitting experience,' says Anne.

Appliances are one of the most expensive parts of a kitchen, so having that extended guarantee gives customers peace of mind and reassurance that their kitchen is built to last.

Great availability

Anyone who has done a kitchen remodel in the past will be familiar with the long wait times and the difficulty of finding replacement parts down the line. Perhaps a cabinet frame has worn and you need to replace it – not always an easy task!

'Another major benefit is the widespread availability and consistency of IKEA’s products. If you ever need to add a unit, or tweak your design as your needs change, you know you can get the same components years down the line – something that’s not always the case with bespoke kitchen manufacturers,' says Anne.

Sustainable designs

Flat pack furniture can cause some controversy, but there is no denying that IKEA's kitchen designs will result in less waste, making them more sustainable than other alternatives.

'Some builders are against flat pack kitchens due to the extra build time, but from a sustainability perspective, a flat pack kitchen is generally considered more environmentally friendly than a pre-built kitchen,' says Anne.

'It requires less packaging and takes up less space during transportation, resulting in a lower carbon footprint overall. Not all flat pack kitchens are created equal, so choosing a brand, like IKEA, that prioritises high quality, sustainable materials and sustainable manufacturing processes is crucial,' she adds.

Cons of buying an IKEA kitchen

Despite the many benefits of an IKEA kitchen, as with anything, there are a few downsides to the designs that you'll need to consider. There are limitations to the designs that might not always meet your expectations.

Set cabinet sizes

When you opt for a more bespoke kitchen design, the actual size of the cabinets can be altered and customized to perfectly fit your space. However, you are more restricted when it comes to IKEA designs.

'One challenge is that IKEA’s standard cabinetry doesn’t always work perfectly in every space, especially if your home has unusual layouts or period features,' warns Fiona, which is a particular problem in older homes.

'IKEA cabinet dimensions are 20, 30, 40, 60, or 80cm (8, 12, 16, 24, or 31.5 inches) in width – they don’t offer, for example, a 50cm (20 inch) option,' adds Anne. While you can try to customize them yourself with trim or by cutting the cabinets, it is a much trickier build and can easily go wrong. So, if you're not confident with DIY, it's something to take into consideration.

The standard designs can lack personality

While there are options to customize your IKEA kitchen aesthetically, there is a limitation to the designs. 'The designs can feel a little “off-the-shelf” if you stick with their standard options,' says Fiona, who recommends investing in custom doors rather than IKEA's standard options.

'We usually suggest looking elsewhere for worktops, handles, and appliances if you want a more high-end finish. A beautiful stone or composite worktop can really elevate the whole look, and swapping out fronts and handles for something bespoke adds a more considered feel. Small changes, big impact,' she adds.

Less variety of materials and finishes

If you want a more unique, personalized kitchen, their standard models probably won't quite cut it. In these instances, you'll need to consider looking elsewhere to customize your IKEA carcasses, which isn't something everyone will want to do.

'While IKEA offers a range of finishes, they don’t have the same variety as fully bespoke kitchens. Many people opt for third-party suppliers to elevate the design,' says Anne.

It's not just cabinet fronts or doors, either. Your kitchen countertops, hardware, and faucets are all features you might need to source elsewhere for something more elevated.

'Their selection is quite basic, and upgrading to high-quality handles can make a big difference in the overall look. Their faucet options are functional, but brands like Franke, Blanco, or Quooker offer better quality and durability,' explains Anne.

The verdict

An IKEA kitchen is great for a reliable, affordable design, but the general feedback from experts is to use their cabinet frames and add on more customizable features from other brands.

This is the exact approach that Issey Rider, of @knightriderhaus on Instagram took in her kitchen remodel. 'We chose an IKEA kitchen purely for budget reasons. But our friends went for an IKEA kitchen a few years ago, and we really liked the usability of it, design choices, and price point, so they swayed us first,' she explains.

'IKEA has a great selection of fronts, countertops, and handles, but we really wanted to customize the look and feel of our space, so we decided to go with Plykea Kitchens, who seamlessly integrate IKEA designs and tech into its bespoke offering. This was our way of having an affordable kitchen base with a bespoke outer shell, and we couldn't be happier,' she adds.

Since having the IKEA kitchen installed, Issey notes that she has had no issues and is still really happy with the result. 'As everything came flat packed, we could store the IKEA components pretty neatly while the prep work was getting done - which, in hindsight, was a life saver,' she explains.

'The installation of the IKEA and Plykea kitchen elements went really well. We loved the ease of buying mostly everything for the kitchen from IKEA too; our microwave, hob with a downward extractor fan, oven, and ceramic sink – all of which have been perfect so far!'

From experts to homeowners, everyone agrees that IKEA kitchens are great value for money, offer fabulous functionality, and are the perfect base for your scheme. But for that elevated, more unique look, consider introducing custom cabinet doors, hardware, and even countertops.

To put it simply, you should buy an IKEA kitchen. They are affordable, customizable, and offer the perfect bones for a stylish, timeless scheme. There are, of course, optional features where specialist brands can offer a more bespoke look for your IKEA units, but you really can't go wrong with the affordability and practical designs of IKEA's ranges.