First-Time Renovators Make the Pieces Fit In Remodeled IKEA Kitchen

Another design need for her IKEA kitchen was an easier-to-clean countertop, Shoko says. “Our original counter was brown, making it very difficult to spot messes, spills, and crumbs. That’s why we opted for a white counter with matching backsplash (which is all one piece),” she says. In fact, the Caesarstone in Blizzard runs from the sink to the stove area, giving ample space for food prep and is complemented by the matching backsplash and the custom butcher block seating area on the other side of the stove. “Clean up is so much quicker and easier with the new countertops,” she says. The counter area is further brightened by under cabinet lighting strips from IKEA. For new IKEA renovators, Shoko wants to share some useful tips from her IKEA experience. “The first thing I would say to others is do not be intimidated by the renovation process! There are so many resources available that can help simplify an IKEA renovation project. I’d also suggest asking a lot of questions, including asking how you plan on using the space,” she says. She also says that working with design professionals was the best decision for her IKEA kitchen. “The kitchen specialists at IKEA were very knowledgeable, and, of course the staff at IKD explained all the options, materials, and demystified the IKEA ordering process,” she adds. She concludes: “Ultimately, we chose IKEA cabinetry for the ease and the price. Since our apartment isn’t a forever home, we didn’t think it made sense to go for custom cabinets. We were looking for something simple, clean, and affordable, and for a project (and a space) of this size, IKEA’s options were a great fit for us!”