This IKEA Kitchen Transformation Looks Completely Custom — The Tiles Are Dreamy
ABOUT THIS BEFORE AND AFTER
HOUSE TYPE: Apartment
PROJECT TYPE: Kitchen
STYLE: Scandinavian
SKILL LEVEL: Professional
RENTAL FRIENDLY: No
Related: How to Use a Level
When you hear that a kitchen is an “empty space,” you probably assume that it is sparsely furnished but still has the basics (cabinets, counters, appliances). But in some areas, “empty space” literally means: empty space. In Germany, for example, it’s common for rental properties to come without a kitchen, meaning the tenant moving in must literally build their own from scratch, or pay extra to keep the previous tenant’s kitchen for themselves.
When handyman Hillary and her husband Pat moved into their apartment, they found themselves in exactly this scenario. The space where the kitchen would be was completely empty, meaning they would have to create their own. “As our apartment is a new construction, we had no choice but to buy [an existing kitchen]”but we were happy to be able to completely customize our kitchen to our needs,” says Hillary. That said, she knew she wanted to make sure the project cost them less than $10,000 in total, including appliances.
With a tight budget in mind, the couple researched options before finally landing on IKEA, which Hillary said was “the most affordable and we liked the finish options since our style is more Scandinavian.”
Design planning was an important part of the renovation.
Hillary used IKEA’s layout tools to map out her ideas for her dream kitchen before discussing them with an in-store kitchen designer. She recommends the same to anyone else considering buying an IKEA kitchen – and says you should ask questions too. The designer helped Hillary and Pat cut costs throughout their space by removing all unnecessary improvements and suggesting the couple build the island themselves – which would not need to be plumbed or wired.
Oak veneer cabinets warm up the space.
Hillary and Pat weren’t fans of the gray tile floors, which Hillary said made the space feel cold. To warm it up, the couple opted for oak veneer cabinets topped with marble countertops. New appliances also come from IKEA; The range hood, which has a vintage vibe, is a favorite centerpiece.
The professionals installed the lower cabinets (along with the counters and appliances), but Hillary and Pat decided not to purchase the upper cabinets. Instead, they installed their own floating shelves — which Hillary said was surprisingly simple and took less than an hour in total. The shelves themselves were made by a local carpenter.
A DIY island adds even more storage.
Another thing Hillary and Pat realized themselves? The island, which also comes from IKEA. By choosing to complete this project themselves, they saved around €1,000 in labor costs. Unfortunately, it wasn’t as simple as the floating shelves. “Building the island was the hardest part,” says Hillary. “We were surprised to see that there were parts we had to cut ourselves and this would not have been possible without an electric saw. The IKEA manual shows that a regular saw is possible, but it would have taken literally hours to cut them manually.”
Peel and stick tiles add a little color.
Hillary discovered her peel and stick tiles during a family visit to Singapore and knew they were the perfect way to bring a little color to the kitchen. However, she was hesitant about applying them directly to the wall in case they caused damage upon removal – they live in a rental, after all!
Hillary came up with an ingenious plan that minimized the repairs the couple would need to make later. “I’m really proud of the idea I came up with to install an MDF backing onto which the tiles can be glued,” she says. “The MDF backing is installed with a nail gun and is very easy to remove and repair if we ever move.”
Now the kitchen is anything but an empty space. “The oak veneer cabinets, subtle marble countertop and vertically stacked blue tiles work together beautifully to create a warm and inviting kitchen! Hillary said. “We are also happy with our decision not to add upper cabinets but instead opt for floating shelves, as it keeps the space open and bright.”
And the best part? Hillary and Pat performed well below their initial budget; they spent €6,700 (around $7,048 USD) in total. “I’m proud that I designed the IKEA kitchen the way I did, from where each cabinet was placed to deciding when to use drawers versus cabinets,” says Hillary. “Everything is easy to organize and makes sense – which is really important for a kitchen!
Inspired? Submit your own project here.
Further reading
Create your own interior design mood board | Apartment therapy
Martha Stewart’s 6-Step Method Is Best for Removing Red Wine Stains
90 Best Practical Gifts When You Don’t Know What to Buy
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