Considering an IKEA kitchen? Get the low-down from local contractor, i love renovations.
i love renovations recently completed a major home remodel for a beautiful Kingswood property. Having the pleasure of staging the home after renovations were complete, I was able to see first-hand the quality workmanship provided by the company. The kitchen was definitely one of my favourite rooms in the house. I sat down recently with Chris McMullin, co-founder of i love renovations to get the low-down on designing, ordering and installing an IKEA kitchen.
Q. What were some of the reasons your client chose an IKEA kitchen over a local cabinet company?
A. We always give our clients options when selecting their preferred route for a renovation. There are wonderful local kitchen companies we would highly recommend and have worked with on multiple projects. On this particular project, the cabinets were IKEA and the countertops were provided by a local vendor. Our clients were attracted to IKEA’s ease of ordering, the many options and styles available and the price point fit perfectly within their renovation budget. The turnaround time is also phenomenal. Upon confirming their order, our clients received their product in-hand in about two weeks.
Q. One of the biggest complaints about IKEA kitchens is their kitchen planner software. Did you design the kitchen for your client or just do the installation?
A. There is definitely a learning curve when it comes to using the IKEA kitchen software. If it’s your first time, the program can seem cumbersome and daunting. As we’ve installed several IKEA kitchens, we are now able to navigate through each step with ease. We worked with our clients using IKEA’s kitchen planner software to create their ideal culinary oasis. What we love about the program is the ability to see multi-angle visuals of your design. We were able to move cupboards around and switch out colours and materials. It feels like you’re in a virtual showroom and our clients felt at ease knowing they had seen and approved the layout before installation began.
Q. Did you customize any part of the kitchen design?
A. We wanted to optimize any dead space with personalized features. One of our favourite custom elements in this particular reno is the custom wine rack. It was a simple addition and a nice surprise for guests when they walk through the home.
We were also able to customize the size of each box (cupboard) to work with irregular walls and desired heights. IKEA kitchens come in standard sizes, so we worked with our clients to trim each box as needed and create a truly unique space.
Q. As a contractor, what do you think of the quality of IKEA kitchens over ‘traditional’ manufactured cabinets and would you install them in your own home?
A. We would definitely recommend and have installed IKEA kitchens in our own homes. For the price point, you’re getting solid materials and excellent mechanical hardware. But it’s important to mention that it’s not really a fair comparison to put the IKEA product against custom, quality crafted, genuine pieces. It’s like comparing apples and oranges. In its class (similar price point and material used), IKEA is at the top and rivals those brands with similar components and price tags.
Q. Do you have any tips for people thinking of installing an IKEA kitchen?
A. Many assume ordering a kitchen “out of a box” means the client has no space for creativity or customization. One of our favourite aspects of an IKEA kitchen is having the freedom to customize and personalize each selection. It’s best to work with a contractor who can give you thoughts on dimensions, materials and the best design for your space. Having the proper measurements is key to a smooth installation, so you’ll want to make sure you have your numbers nailed down before ordering. The key is to work with a general contractor who is familiar with the product and its capabilities. This will avoid unwanted frustrations with the final design and will save you money in the long run.
Want to learn more about i love renovations? Visit their website at www.iloverenovations.ca.
