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6 Genius IKEA Hacks for Customizing Your Cabinets
Many people dream of having a kitchen straight out of an Architectural Digest magazine. But here's the reality: a full kitchen remodel can run up to tens of thousands of dollars, with time and budget demands often exceeding what many homeowners can manage.
With CabinetNow, you don’t need a full kitchen remodel to refresh your space. By starting with IKEA cabinet bases for an affordable and easy installation, and then customizing the fronts and utilizing other custom cabinet features, you can achieve a chic IKEA hack kitchen at a fraction of the cost of the glamourous remodels seen on TV.
+ Insider Design Advice
1. Transform Your IKEA Hack Kitchen with Custom Cabinet Doors: 4 Simple Steps
The appeal of an IKEA hack kitchen is the ability to elevate your IKEA cabinets with custom cabinet doors to achieve a high-end and personalized look. Choose from premium quality materials, finishes, and styles that are not offered in your local shops, such as solid wood options like White Oak, Maple, and Cherry in unique styles; ready to be stained or painted to suit your style. Alternatively, opt for premium Sherwin-Williams painted cabinet doors to add a sleek, modern touch. For a contemporary twist, explore our Modern Thermofoil collection, which offers a wide range of trendy colors fully finished and ready to install upon arrival.
Step 1: Measure
Accurate measurements are crucial for ensuring that your new custom cabinet doors fit perfectly. Take precise measurements of your kitchen space by following our dedicated measuring guide or follow the video below.
*If you are reusing your existing IKEA boxes please follow our guide on how to measure for new cabinet doors to measure your existing cabinets and skip to step 3!
Step 2: Design
Go to IKEA's Kitchen Planner to craft your ideal kitchen from scratch. When you've finalized your design, save it as a PDF.
Step 3: Choose Your Style
Whether you prefer sleek, modern designs like our slab cabinet doors or classic, traditional looks like the Shaker cabinet door, select a finish that complements your space. Your choice of materials and styles can dramatically enhance the overall aesthetic of your kitchen.
Step 4: Order
Submit your order, then sit back and unwind! Allow us to expertly craft your personalized cabinet doors for vour IKEA cabinets and have them delivered directly to your doorstep, ready for effortless installation. In this step, if you need assistance, fill out our Free Quote for Refacing Cabinet Doors form and submit your IKEA documents from step 2 to be connected with a rep.
Designer Tip: Ordering glass cabinet doors or choosing unique hardware can further personalize your cabinetry and enhance its visual appeal.
2. Maximize Storage with Upper Cabinet Boxes
Adding custom upper cabinet boxes is a fantastic IKEA hack that not only extends your storage capacity but also enhances the overall look of your kitchen. By extending your cabinets up to the ceiling, you create a more polished and integrated appearance, making your kitchen feel more elegant and spacious.
How to Do It:
- Plan Your Layout: The size of your new upper cabinet boxes should be determined based on the height of your existing IKEA cabinets or your planned IKEA kitchen design. To ensure a perfect fit, work with a CabinetNow designer by filling out our Custom Cabinetry Form. This will help determine the exact size needed for your IKEA cabinets.
- Order and Install: Since CabinetNow specializes in custom-sized cabinets, you'll receive boxes tailored specifically to your measurements. Ensure that the new upper cabinets align seamlessly with your existing IKEA setup for a cohesive look.
- Utilize the Space: Use these additional cabinets to store kitchen essentials or display decorative items. This extra storage not only helps keep your kitchen organized but also enhances its functionality.
Designer Tip: For a touch of elegance, consider installing glass cabinet doors and adding lighting inside the upper cabinets.This not only brightens up the space but also highlights your kitchenware beautifully.
3. Enhance Functionality with Custom Drawers
Customizing your kitchen with high-quality drawer solutions is one of the most effective IKEA hacks for boosting both functionality and style. By incorporating custom dovetail drawer boxes, you can elevate the look and durability of your cabinetry. Dovetail joints provide a strong, interlocking construction that not only ensures long-lasting performance but also adds a touch of craftsmanship that standard drawers often lack.
Pull-out drawers are another fantastic IKEA hack that enhances kitchen usability. These drawers make accessing items stored in deep cabinets much easier, allowing you to retrieve what you need quickly and efficiently. This simple upgrade can transform your kitchen into a more organized and user-friendly space, minimizing clutter and maximizing convenience. Working with a CabinetNow designer by filling out our Custom Cabinetry form to get expert advice on what drawer slides would best suit your needs.
Custom drawers can be precisely tailored to fit your IKEA cabinets, ensuring seamless integration with your existing setup. Choosing the right size and configuration will help you make the most of your storage space while keeping your kitchen essentials neatly organized.
Designer Tip: Adding features like adjustable dividers can further enhance functionality, making it easier to keep everything in its place.
4. Add Floating Shelves: A Stunning IKEA Hack
- Seamless Integration: With CabinetNow, you can select floating shelves that perfectly complement your IKEA cabinets. Choose from premium materials like White Oak, Maple, and Cherry, or explore our Modern Thermofoil collection for trendy colors and finishes. This allows you to match or contrast with your cabinetry for a cohesive look.
- Mix and Match: Don’t be afraid to have fun with your design. Pair sleek, high-gloss floating shelves with matte cabinet doors, or combine rustic wood shelves with modern cabinetry. Mixing materials adds a unique touch and reflects your personal style.
- Functional Display: Use floating shelves to showcase beautiful dishware, stylish storage jars, or small potted plants. They can act as a focal point or practical storage solution, keeping frequently used items within easy reach.
- Customization: Floating shelves can be designed to fit various needs, whether you want to highlight your kitchen’s design or add functional storage. The versatility of floating shelves makes them a smart and stylish addition to any IKEA kitchen hack.
- Placement Tips:
- Above Countertops: Install floating shelves above your countertops to display decorative items, spices, or frequently used kitchen tools.
- Between Cabinets: Use floating shelves between upper cabinets to break up large runs of cabinetry and add visual interest.
- In Open Spaces: Place shelves in open wall spaces to create a focal point or provide additional storage without overwhelming the room.
By incorporating floating shelves, you can transform your kitchen with a blend of aesthetics and practicality, making it both functional and visually appealing.
Designer Tip: Add LED lighting under your floating shelves to highlight your display items and create a warm, inviting atmosphere.
5. Enhance Your Island with Custom Panels
Transform your kitchen island into a stunning focal point with custom panels. This trend adds character and elegance, making your island not just a functional piece but a standout feature in your space. Whether you're aiming for a classic or contemporary look, there’s a style to suit every preference.
Choose Your Style: Custom panels allow you to tailor your island’s appearance. For a cottage-inspired kitchen, the Modern Bradford with its added lines and ribbed texture offers a charming touch. If you prefer a sleek and modern aesthetic, opt for Shaker cabinet doors or Slab panels for a smooth, clean surface. Much like end panels, decorative gables on your island can create a beautiful centerpiece that enhances both cooking and entertaining areas.
Customizing Large Islands: For islands wider than 48 inches, use 24-inch wide panels to mimic the appearance of high-end custom millwork. Wrapping these panels around the sides of your island can create a bold, cohesive look that anchors your kitchen’s design. If you prefer a simpler aesthetic, flat side panels can be used to maintain a minimalist vibe while keeping decorative elements focused on the front and back.
Custom panels aren't just about aesthetics—they're a way to make your kitchen island a stunning centerpiece that complements your overall design. Explore these options to achieve a look that's both functional and eye-catching.
Designer Tip: For a truly polished finish, add a contrasting color or texture to your custom panels. This not only highlights the island as a focal point but also adds visual interest and depth to your kitchen design. Experiment with different combinations to find a balance that enhances your overall aesthetic while keeping your space functional and stylish.
6. Incorporate Decorative Panels and Trim
Tired of the dust accumulation on top of cabinets or looking to cover up an awkward bulkhead? Custom trim and molding can be a game-changer for making your kitchen feel cohesive and intentional. By incorporating trim work, you can transform basic IKEA cabinets into striking features that blend seamlessly with your space and add a touch of luxury.
Custom trim and molding can effectively hide gaps between the tops of your upper cabinets and the ceiling, or mask any bulky elements. This simple IKEA hack not only conceals imperfections but also adds a refined, custom look to your kitchen. Think of it as giving your cabinets a high-end makeover without the high-end price tag.
How to Do It:
- Select Panels and Trim: Start by choosing panels and trim that either match your existing cabinet doors or create a complementary contrast. Consider decorative trim or custom molding to cover gaps or enhance the visual appeal of your cabinetry. Work with a CabinetNow designer by filling out our Custom Cabinetry form to ensure you choose the right fit for your IKEA cabinets.
- Measure and Cut: Accurate measurements are crucial for a seamless fit. Measure the gaps and spaces carefully, then cut the panels and trim them to size. Precision here ensures a professional finish. Young House Love says that just be sure to buy more than the length of your cabinets. Since crown molding is cut at an angle, your cut piece will actually need to be longer than the top of your cabinets.
- Attach Panels and Trim: Mount the panels and trim with care to achieve a polished, custom appearance. This step will help integrate your IKEA cabinets with the rest of your kitchen design, making the space feel intentional and complete. We recommend following the Young House Love guide on attaching molding. If you need additional assistance please contact your CabinetNow rep!
Designer Tip: Decorative panels and trim aren’t just for upper cabinets. Use them on kitchen islands or peninsulas to create a cohesive, standout feature. This can turn an ordinary piece of cabinetry into a central focal point of your kitchen.
By utilizing these IKEA hacks, you can elevate your kitchen with custom cabinets and trim work that enhances both functionality and style.
Conclusion
Transforming your kitchen into a space worthy of your dream design doesn’t have to mean a costly full remodel. With the innovative IKEA hacks and custom cabinet solutions offered by CabinetNow, you can achieve a high-end, personalized look without breaking the bank. By leveraging the versatility of IKEA cabinet bases and pairing them with custom doors and features, you can create a kitchen that’s both stylish and functional.
From upgrading your cabinetry with custom doors to adding elegant upper cabinets and functional pull-out drawers, each step can significantly enhance your kitchen’s appearance and usability. Floating shelves and custom panels add a unique touch, turning your kitchen into a focal point for cooking, dining, and entertaining. Meanwhile, decorative trim and molding provide a polished, high-end finish that seamlessly integrates with your existing setup.
By incorporating these IKEA hacks, you not only achieve a chic and sophisticated kitchen design but also ensure a practical and efficient space tailored to your needs. Embrace the potential of custom cabinets and innovative design solutions to create a kitchen that stands out and reflects your personal style.
For more tips and expert guidance on transforming your kitchen, fill out the CabinetNow Custom Cabinetry form to get connected with a designer and explore how CabinetNow can help you bring your vision to life. With the right approach and custom touches, your dream kitchen is closer than you think!
