Our Favorite International IKEA Kitchen Designs: Spain

Reviewing an impressive Spanish IKEA kitchen design, as selected by IKD designers

IKEA customers looking for design ideas for their IKEA kitchen can certainly get inspiration from our friends in Spain.

In fact, we at IKD recently designed a dynamic 152’x172’ kitchen remodel for IKD customer Elise from Madrid, Spain, that combines the style and function of IKEA cabinets along with a unique kitchen layout.

She explains: “We wanted to maximize storage and counter space and improve flow in our odd [shaped] layout.” Indeed, the kitchen design — which combines IKEA’s METOD cabinetry framework (the European version of IKEA SEKTION) along with IKEA SAVEDAL White cabinets and IKEA BORGHAMN pulls — required quite a bit of reconstruction. First, by eliminating most of the east wall because of existing columns and then by adding a doorway to the living room by removing the section of wall where the oven and a closet were originally.

The results are nothing short of fantastic with the new IKEA kitchen being ergonomic, stylish and practical. That’s why we’d like to share Elise’s modern kitchen with you as the next installment in “Our Favorite International Kitchen Designs” series.

As you’ll see, even the most unique design ideas — properly mixed with the most unusually shaped layouts — can be an opportunity for a dynamic IKEA kitchen. We trust that even customers who’ve already researched design Web sites like HOUZZ and Pinterest for some European-inspired kitchen designs will enjoy hearing how Elise’s Spanish kitchen came to life.

Let’s take a look!

Spanish IKEA Kitchen

Elise’s large IKEA kitchen almost has a sprawling, labyrinth-type feel as it flows from one large entranceway near the refrigerator diagonally across the layout to another smaller entranceway.

“We definitely wanted cabinets up to the ceiling and we preferred drawers to doors. Storage was a big component of our design,” she says.

To that end, Elise chose IKEA’s SAVEDAL cabinets in white for the upper, tall and lower cabinets, along with IKEA’s MAXIMERA drawers; IKEA UTRUSTA hinges and IKEA FORBATTRA cover panels. Specifically, the cabinets run from the refrigerator along the wall past the cooktop and hood, underneath the IKEA NORRSJÖN stainless steel sink (21-1/8”x17-1/4″) and continuing to the dishwasher.

According to Elise, this alone presented a unique design challenge. “The original sink was very small because it shares a small wall with the dishwasher. Therefore, we needed to rearrange the space for a bigger sink,” she says.

The result is a dynamic space featuring a clean and modern design theme and ample counter space for food prep and all of this was completed for only 2,741 Euro ($3,180 USD)! (Remember, IKD has been referenced by Martha Stewart Living as experts on how to reduce kitchen renovation costs.)

Notably, on the opposite side of the kitchen next to the window and other entranceway is additional IKEA SAVEDAL upper and base cabinets with counter space, ideal for storing seasonal serving dishes for the holidays, for instance.

Storage Solutions

Indeed, one of the keys to Elise’s design was creating ample storage options.

“We really wanted to maximize storage, including space for items such as pots and pans, spices, storage for bulk food items, dishes and kitchen towels and placemats,” she describes.

With IKD’s guidance, the space features a pullout for trash cans underneath the sink as well as another corner pullout for recycling on the opposite side cabinets. In addition, there are plenty of internal drawers as well as a pull-out rack for cleaning supplies (only for high cabinets) as well as strategic placement of wire baskets and a Lazy Susan for spices.

Storage is also enhanced by the small center island, which also features the microwave oven and IKEA SAVEDAL base cabinets with drawers and doors to provide an ideal storage option for kitchen towels and placemats. Located about 20’ in front of the cooktop and sink the island also provides a convenient landing spot for trays and plates while cooking (and also drying dishes); which enhances the work triangle as well.

“We’re so thrilled with the results of our IKEA kitchen and so impressed that IKD was able to incorporate our needs for so much storage – despite the structural challenges our kitchen presented!” she concludes.

We’re glad you feel that way Elise!

As you can see, Elise’s Spanish IKEA kitchen features a variety of solutions that really captured her design vision. That’s why this kitchen is one of our favorite international IKEA kitchens. Remember, our design team at IKD is here to help you do the same and to guide you in the best product and design choices for your IKEA kitchen as well — done in an affordable way. Let’s get started soon!

Learn more about how we can design your IKEA kitchen, bath, laundry room and other rooms at inspiredkitchendesign.com.