Semihandmade’s Classic Walnut Doors Calmed this IKEA Kitchen

A review of how white appliances, countertops and walnut cabinets met their match

Sometimes, there’s too much of a good thing. This was the design challenge facing IKD customer Nancy, whose large 168-square-foot kitchen was overrun with white countertops, white appliances and white cabinets – even white flooring!

“When we first moved in, I really questioned why the previous owner selected an all-white kitchen. I knew in an instant that I couldn’t cook there. It was actually distracting. The existing ceiling lights lit up the space and rays of light were bouncing along the shiny white tile floor,” she explains.

Therefore, she desperately wanted to calm the space with wood-toned doors and matte stainless steel appliances along with a new wood floor. After researching examples of kitchen designs on HOUZZ and Pinterest, she found IKD online and began working with IKD designer Merari to start her IKEA kitchen remodel. This included incorporating personalized touches, such as a light blue, angled insert tile backsplash throughout; base cabinets with drawers instead of doors; lots of undercounter lighting to eliminate overhead illumination and IKEA white Kasker 3cm quartz countertops (as a nod to the old white style).

The result is a much more refined and natural-looking space which combines IKEA SEKTION cabinetry framework with Semihandmade (SHM) Classic Walnut cabinet doors (including the peninsula island) and Super Matte white slab door style upper cabinets, and unique accent cabinet pieces. These solutions provide ample storage options for when Nancy and her husband are entertaining friends and family, including the clever wine storage area located above the countertops next to the Café/Bosch 30″ combo microwave/oven. The kitchen also features a variety of non-IKEA appliances, such as a Bosch 500 Series dishwasher; an LG French door, counter depth refrigerator/freezer and a Bosch 800 Series gas cooktop. Other notable products include the IKEA HALLBAR trash pullout; an IKEA SEKTION corner base cabinet with pullout fitting and a customized spice pullout, created with one of IKD’s signature IKEA cabinet hacks. (Remember: IKD was recommended by the New York Times as a design resource for IKEA customers considering custom doors for their cabinets.) In total, 18 IKEA cabinets costed $3,939, along with $443 for the Extra Items list, which includes the internal organizers and custom spice pullout as well as two 9″ IKEA VADHOLMA brown open storage units installed horizontally over the top of the adjoining desk area. Conversely, the total cost of the SHM cabinets was $13,373 (including 38 SHM door/drawer fronts and 34 panels), putting the total cost for the kitchen remodel at $17,755 — well under their original budget of $20,000!

“I’m so glad we found IKD, and Merari’s design solutions were ideal for our kitchen. I literally couldn’t function in that all-white kitchen! The custom cabinets from SHM creates such a natural feel and we just love how our IKEA kitchen flows so well with the rest of our home,” she concludes.

Let’s see how Nancy’s kitchen came together!

A Natural Fit for Walnut Cabinets

Toning down the white kitchen was clearly at the top of Nancy’s wish list.

To address this, Nancy selected Semihandmade (SHM) Classic Walnut base cabinets, which run from the Bosch 800 Series gas cooktop, around and under the sink area and the Bosch 500 Series dishwasher, to the opposite side with the peninsula island. This addressed Nancy’s desire for base cabinets with drawers rather than doors and offers a tremendous amount of storage space that was underutilized in the original layout.

Interestingly, Nancy also opted for SHM Super Matte White slab doors which float on either side of the 30” Winflo stainless steel wall-mount range hood. This provides storage options for plates and glassware and establishes a complement to the warm walnut hues of the base cabinets as well as enhancing the IKEA white Kasker countertops. The light blue, angled insert tile backsplash adds an artistic quality throughout the space and a sense of warmth as well. Tying the look together are 40″ Classic Walnut floating shelves from SHM, which replaced the previous (and rather strange!) angled wall cabinets that were featured. The shelves offer additional storage options for plates and serving dishes, or even for decorative items such as candles and vases. “We love how the floating shelves are so stylish and add such function to our kitchen. That area was a wasted ‘dead zone’ previously and now it’s one of the highlights!” Nancy says.

A Brand New Kitchen

Retaining the integrity of the kitchen footprint was important to this IKEA kitchen remodel as well, especially since the original layout flowed into the adjoining den area.

Merari explains: “They wanted to maintain the same space layout and were open to moving the appliances a few inches if necessary. Oddly, the original kitchen sink was 4-1/4″ off center from the window. This drove Nancy nuts! She insisted that it had to be centered in the new design,” she says.

So after centering the sink, it was important to improve the work triangle so that Nancy and her husband could more readily prepare family meals as well as when they were entertaining. This includes the stainless steel LG French door counter depth, refrigerator/; the IKEA HALLBAR trash pullout under the sink; and internal organizers, such as the IKEA SEKTION corner base cabinet with pullout fitting and a customized spice pullout, created with one of IKD’s signature IKEA cabinet hacks. This ensures that any needed items are stored, yet readily accessible, without a lot of fuss or effort.

Additionally, Merari took advantage of the new peninsula island, with available seating for two and additional drawer storage options with the base cabinets. This is ideal for guests to relax while the couple prep meals and to also house seasonal dishware, among others.

Light It Up

Despite its original challenges, the kitchen did provide some design advantages.

For instance, the kitchen already provided tons of natural light and high-vaulted ceilings angled between 8’to 10’. This was key as it allowed for creative design solutions, such as the GRIMSLOV floating upper cabinets next to the hood (there was almost two feet of wasted space above the existing upper cabinets previously!) and enabled Merari to eliminate the existing – and very distracting — overhead illumination. Specifically, it allowed for IKEA FORBATTRA rounded deco strip undercounter lighting which adds ambiance at night and makes food prep and clean up easier for the couple as well. During the day, the natural light from the sink window and nearby eating area sliding doors brightens the space as well.

“We could not be happier with the results of our IKEA kitchen; from the walnut cabinets, to the IKEA countertops, to the great storage options and how it flows seamlessly to the eating area and other rooms. It’s everything we hoped for and we’re so glad we chose IKD!”

IKD’s Summary: Re-imagining this previous all-white kitchent was a unique challenge. It was such a spacious layout and had these tremendously tall ceilings — and so much wasted space. However, the custom cabinets from SHM provide a natural, warm, feel that breathed new life into this design. The IKEA cabinets along with some clever storage solutions ensure that Nancy and her husband will be able to enjoy their space for years to come!

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