Among those people who do not consider themselves fans of Ikea, there will certainly be those who have purchased or at least considered the possibility of buying goods of this brand. There is nothing to hide - the products of the famous Swedish brand are unique, they are distinguished by convenience and versatility. Kitchen sets and accessories are considered the flagship of the Ikea furniture range - this article will be devoted to them.
According to reviews, Ikea kitchens are distinguished by affordable prices, which allows the manufacturing company to maintain leadership positions in the European and domestic markets over the past years. Designers always try to follow trends and release something interesting and original every year.
Popular IKEA brand
The main idea of the company is to create inexpensive kitchens by reducing the cost of purchasing materials, manufacturing, assembling and transporting finished products. Ikea provides the buyer with the opportunity to independently transport and assemble the purchased headset. Adequate pricing and advertising policy of the company provides it withnot only popularity in different countries, but also a fantastic income. Next, we will get acquainted with the most famous series of the brand, we will give as an example a few interior photos of Ikea kitchens in apartments and reviews of their owners.
In the fresh catalogs of the company in 2017-2018, there are a lot of offers for both miniature kitchens with small footage and spacious studios with an unusual design layout. But the most important thing is that Ikea is ready to make custom-made furniture according to individual parameters, in accordance with personal preferences and functional requirements. At the same time, reviews of Ikea kitchens confirm that there is no doubt about the quality of finished products: all sizes will match to the nearest millimeter, and the chosen color will not differ even by half a tone.
Specific Swedish kitchen furniture
Ikea furniture has a number of characteristic features. First of all, it is distinguished from the products of competitors by its constant long-term loy alty to four design lines:
- Youth, which is focused on the self-sufficient middle-aged consumer. Models of youth series are usually made in bright saturated colors and unusual style solutions.
- Modern, designed for customers who value comfort and current trends in interior design and trendy materials.
- Country - as a rule, the models of this series are presented in natural colors (stone, wood, bamboo, etc.) and are designed for admirers of everything natural.
- Scandinavian. This is a line of classic kitchen furniture, made intraditional whites, cool creams and milky colors.
The most interesting thing is that all these dissimilar styles are connected by a single design. After reviewing a dozen or two customer reviews of Ikea kitchens and images of headsets, it is easy to find an obvious similarity between them:
- virtually all kitchen furniture is made of MDF fibreboard, which is highly durable and environmentally friendly;
- the top of the MDF board is covered with quality veneer;
- products do not contain frame elements;
- sizes of all kitchens are standardized;
- The fittings of each product have amazing durability.
In addition, each set of furniture offers a limitless range of fasteners for various purposes. Judging by customer reviews, the Ikea kitchen wins in many respects due to successful fastening and fixing elements - even a few years after the purchase, drawers and doors open and close just as easily and do not creak. And this, as you know, is the secret of longevity of any furniture.
Efficiency of IKEA kitchens
Most of us are demanding natures, and sometimes even uncompromising, even if we have a wide choice and a rich assortment. However, this is easily explained by the fact that we all want everything in the home to be perfect. And although nothing is ideal in principle, the consumer still pays attention to the shortcomings and shortcomings in the first place. By the way, they are practically absent in modular kitchens."Ikea". Owner reviews are direct confirmation of this.
So what are the nitpicks? It's hard to believe, but some consumers seriously believe that Ikea branded products are too expensive. Of course, you need to live within your means, so each buyer plans his own budget and expenses on his own. However, most users agree in one opinion - the Swedish brand offers truly budget products. The Ikea kitchen furniture set includes:
- frames;
- front panels;
- tabletop;
- fittings;
- boxes;
- shelves;
- cornices;
- legs;
- wash;
- faucets.
On the one hand, which make up a lot for the formation of the cost of the headset, on the other hand, the buyer always has the opportunity to add his touches, to complement the situation in the kitchen with accessories suitable for individual preferences, lighting, an interesting dining table and chairs, built-in household appliances, doors and other important elements for creating comfort. Almost every branded headset even has stickers on plastic legs and anti-traumatic nozzles on furniture corners for babies.
Variability and practicality of models
But it is much more strange to read unflattering reviews about the colors and shapes of products. About the last catalog there are sometimes the most controversial reviews. The facades of Ikea kitchens are indeed made without peacock feathers, gold inlay and Swarovski crystals, but for people with more ordinary requests, the range is verywide There are plenty to choose from: in the lineup there are both paneled and glass facades. Judging by the reviews, Ikea's glossy kitchens in pastel and trendy bright colors have been of particular interest to buyers over the past years.
Those style solutions that have become the main direction in the work of the Swedish furniture company are the most popular today, which means that all offers from Ikea are in demand.
Another unreasoned nitpick from demanding buyers: in their opinion, furniture products from IKEA have branded colors, it is difficult to care for them and maintain the necessary temperature conditions, humidity levels. You can fend off here only by the fact that any natural materials need high-quality care. After all, in addition to solid wood, for the production of kitchen facades and frames, fiberboard and chipboard are also used, which allows us to consider IKEA headsets as an economical solution, the best value for money and European quality.
Ikea Furniture Benefits
From consumers in general, you can hear such feedback: affordable, comfortable, rational, high quality. In addition:
- Elegant Ikea furniture made from first class and safe materials;
- everyone can assemble their own kitchen if they wish, despite the lack of relevant skills;
- products and accessories are elementary in repair, each element is easily replaced with a new one;
- implies an incredible selection of kitchenensembles of cabinets, shelves, drawers;
- all models have a long-term quality guarantee from the Swedish manufacturer;
- products are distinguished by exquisite appearance and diverse colors.
If we turn again to the reviews about Ikea kitchens in apartments and photos of interiors, the possibility of arranging furniture for rooms of the most complex layout will become obvious. Buyers on a tight budget always have the option of purchasing kitchen interiors over time, or paying the cost of the kit in instalments, installments or credit, as materially possible.
What Ikea kitchen owners don't like
There are not so many reviews of people who were dissatisfied with the furniture they purchased for the kitchen in their home. But if you are faced with the choice of a manufacturer and are inclined in favor of buying a Swedish brand, you definitely need to take into account the disadvantages of this product. Most often, buyers express bewilderment about the following nuances:
- For a high-quality installation of Ikea kitchens, perfectly even corners in the room are required, and, for example, in Khrushchev houses this is extremely rare.
- All elements of the headset are attached to the wall with screws, which means that the owner will not be able to rearrange the kitchen by simply moving drawers, cabinets, cabinets.
- Protective panels and aprons for walls are made of fragile plastic.
- For lovers of chic and abundance of decor, the design of Ikea kitchens, according to reviews, may seem rather simple and boring.
Faktum and Method modular systems
Basic conveniencefurniture of the Swedish brand is to create sets of a modular system, which can be compared with a designer, where all the details fit together. Even several colors are successfully combined in one kitchen ensemble, while cabinets of different sizes can be present in it - this will make even the smallest room practical and functional.
The Ikea company manufactures systems and equipment, taking into account the latest technologies and developments. So, a mixer is popular, which minimizes water consumption, while not changing the pressure intensity. Many models have been assembled according to the modular principle. One of the lines of Ikea modular kitchens for apartments is Method, in the reviews and photos of which it is easy to notice a number of improvements and new details, in comparison with the previous Faktum (as the Method range of modular kitchens was called until 2015). What has undergone fundamental changes? The key features of the updated modular system are as follows:
- the height of the plinth remains the same and is 8 cm;
- changed the look of the upper cabinets - now they are made without sliding doors;
- boxes of the Maximera series without legs up to 88 cm high have appeared;
- in addition to white frames, black-brown frames are now also produced, so that the contact areas of furniture do not need to be paneled;
- a huge range of facades and fittings;
- different height, depth of drawers with and without closer;
- strength and durability of cabinets guaranteed by galvanized steel edging;
- forsteel elements are used for fastening the cabinets;
- height adjusting feet for floor standing cabinets.
Changes also affected the names of facades. By the way, most of the models have Northern European names, sometimes even those that are not easy to pronounce. All Ikea product names have Swedish, Norwegian or Finnish roots, while each of them actually corresponds to names, names of rivers, cities, birds, sights, etc. For example:
- "Lidingo";
- Brockhult;
- "Sofilund";
- Fagerland;
- Thingsrid.
This principle of product naming can be considered a hallmark of a Swedish company. Speaking about the assortment of the company, it is worth dwelling in more detail on several of the most popular models. If you would like to know more about the company's current offerings, just visit the official IKEA website (ikea.com).
Budbin
This option is great for fans of the classics. The old name of this furniture range is Lodingo. Many find the series uncomplicated, but very sweet and cute. Judging by the reviews, Budbin kitchens from Ikea are recognized by the majority of consumers. The demand for furniture in this series is explained by a large number of components, so that the owners can easily adjust the degree of filling of the kitchen space.
Budbin kitchens feature paneled, glass or lacquered chipboard fronts. No less often, the manufacturer uses MDF sheets. Light gray Ikea kitchens are often called primitive and ordinary in reviews, but at the same time, sets of calm cold tones go well with other styles. "Budbin" will look good with country music, and with elements of Provence, and against the backdrop of art deco. If you decorate the kitchen with natural wood, then light sets are exactly what will help you achieve a true Scandinavian flavor.
For those who believe that Budbin kitchens from Ikea (there are few such reviews, but they still exist) are monophonic and nondescript, we can only advise one thing - to complement the interior with bright accessories, curtains or kitchen textiles. By the way, you can also choose all this in the corporate catalog. At the same time, it is important to take into account that in a tiny room there should be less dark and saturated tones, since such a palette “eats up” an already limited space.
Furniture "Budbin" does not tolerate cleaning with chemicals and harsh abrasives, so detergents and rags for caring for it should be selected very carefully.
Overbou
This is a new model that was not in the previous lineup until 2015. Despite the affordable budget price, a set of wall cabinets and floor cabinets looks fashionable and relevant. The facades are made of laminated chipboard, covered with paint or varnish. The choice of colors is almost limitless, the size and availability of removable shelves can also be selected to suit your preferences. The possibility of combining two or more bright colors in one headset is not excluded.
In reviews of kitchens "Overbu" from "Ikea" often note one significantdisadvantage: the absence of closers for the drawers, but at the same time they slide out very smoothly and easily. It is also worth considering that products from this series are sensitive to moisture. Wiping the surface with a damp and immediately dry cloth will not harm the lockers. But if your kitchen always has a high level of humidity or there are problems in the ventilation system, it is better to refuse the purchase and choose an option that will be more resistant to moisture.
Knoxhult
Konxhult furniture is in many ways reminiscent of Budbin products. It is also famous for its versatility, low cost and the ability to replace part of the headset at any time or supplement it with an appropriate element. For the presentable appearance of the Knoxhult modular kitchens from Ikea, in reviews they are often called an aristocratically restrained option. Allegedly, such furniture is very suitable for pedantic people. In addition, it can be installed even in rooms with uneven floors - by equipping the legs and door hinges with adjusting mechanisms, the desired height is easily fixed.
Top-tops in the Knoxhult series deserve special attention. According to reviews, in the Ikea kitchens of this model range, they are quite durable (due to melamine coating), therefore, they endure disinfection treatment without consequences, and withstand falling cutlery from a small height. The countertop is adjacent to the sink and the built-in hob without any problems, it does not swell around the edges. But at the same timecutting on it with a knife, without the use of cutting boards, is undesirable. In reviews of Knoxhult (Ikea) kitchens, the owners do not recommend putting hot pots and pans on the countertops.
Sevedal
Among the modular kitchens "Method" this model does not differ in something unusual. "Sevedal" is a laconic design that combines the features of country, classic and modern. The white chipboard fronts of the furniture in this series are made using plastic materials. In comparison with other compositions of modular kitchens "Method" from "Ikea", according to reviews, it is the Sevedal headsets that are considered the most modern. Perhaps the wider frames of the facades play a role here, which make the design geometrically correct.
The advantages of the Sevedal kitchens from Ikea in the reviews, users include the ability to add them with any fittings, as well as the presence of a dishwasher compartment in the kit - built-in furniture is not able to spoil the look of the kitchen, unlike free-standing appliances. The doors of the cabinets are made of tempered glass, which is also a definite plus.
However, along with the advantages of the white kitchens of "Ikea" there are a lot of negative reviews. Light headsets (and Sevedal are made only in snow-white tone) are not as practical as, for example, dark models or wood-like products. But at the same time, with the Sevedal set, you can create a very interesting and extraordinary kitchen interior, interspersing bright elements and accessories, doors and panels from other Ikea collections.
Ringult
Headsets of this series are the usual Scandinavian palette, glossy surfaces in white and gray colors. In use, "Ringult" is convenient and suitable for everyone who wants to decorate the kitchen in cold, restrained colors. The headset causes only positive emotions - at least, numerous reviews testify to this.
Ringult kitchens from Ikea, when compared with other models of the Method series, are expensive for buyers. At the same time, a very impressive amount will have to be paid for all sorts of “little things”: legs, closers, handles, drawers.
Furniture does not lose its gloss even after several years of use. Many people praise the kitchen for its appearance, but in order to maintain this beauty, the owners have to rub the glossy surface every day. If this is not done, it quickly becomes matte due to handprints. Therefore, before purchasing glossy furniture, you need to understand that it is one of the most impractical and fastidious in everyday use.
Woxthorpe
Provence, retro, classic, country - lovers of each of these styles will find their zest in the simple and functional Ikea series. There are few reviews of Voxtorp kitchens, since the line was developed not so long ago, but with it has already become a bestseller. The main advantage of the furniture of this model range is the convenient mounting system for wall cabinets.
Elementary lines, miniature glass inserts on the facades and amazing cabinets made in the "old" style - it seems likeas if the entire set was assembled by hand, so the interior exudes home comfort and coziness. In addition, light shades and vertical stripes visually increase the free space, so Voxtorp fits organically into small kitchens. Products are made of chipboard or fiberboard, coated with acrylic or polyester paint.
Dalarna
Another model of modular kitchens "Method" ("Ikea"). The reviews note the excellent quality of products and a harmonious combination with any interior style. A distinctive feature of the Dalarna sets is not just a wood-like facade, but a natural solid wood. The furniture is made of birch, and on top they are covered with a protective stain and a paintwork is applied. In the lineup there are not only cabinets, countertops, shelves, overhead and wall panels, but also wooden doors, plinths and a bunch of fittings.
"Dalarna" is available in two colors. In addition to white, which is standard for Ikea kitchens, in the reviews with photos you can find a lot of enthusiastic reviews about black and brown sets. This type of furniture appeals to modern consumers: it is refined and practical at the same time.
Ikea kitchen layouts
Models of this brand are ideal for any of the possible options for furniture placement. You can place the kit linearly along one wall or at an angle, with the letter "P" or along walls parallel to each other. In addition to the classic ways of placing kitchen furniture, many create small islands in the form of a furniture module with internal drawers.in the middle of the room. It is believed that this option is not suitable for a modest footage of the kitchen. In fact, with proper organization of space, this idea is easy to refute. A vivid example of this is a small kitchen (6-8 m²) with a bar that skillfully divides the working area. Thus, the space on the walls is freed up and does not clutter up the room, due to which it may seem larger than it actually is.
Most of the options proposed by Ikea consultants are created according to the principle of the "working triangle" - modular kitchens allow you to successfully place everything you need for cooking as close to the work surface as possible. The smaller the room, the more reasonable and economical you need to manage the area - use the vertical (for example, for hooks), the sides of the cabinets, the space above the hood or under the sink.
Reviews and recommendations from owners
If we take into account the feedback from those who have already purchased furniture and use the Ikea headset, you can get a lot of useful information for yourself. Among the tips given by the owners of kitchen sets, it is worth noting the following:
- When measuring the width and height of the kitchen, do not forget to take into account the space allotted for drainpipes, gas and ventilation communications.
- When planning the interior, mentally pull out all the drawers, wall cabinets, window, door and make sure that there is room for the work area and movement around the room.
- Having chosen one or another set,take an interest in its characteristics. This is of particular importance as some models are not designed to withstand high temperatures or high humidity. By the way, natural wood furniture moderate humidity will only benefit.
Many buyers are advised to ask the employee in advance (if you do not assemble the kitchen yourself) the cost of certain services, since prices for furniture assembly masters may differ. If you used to have lockers with round handles, but now you have opted for a set with completely different fittings, you better think again, because sometimes it is not easy to change your habits. As they say, comfort is in the details.
Also, experienced users in the reviews recommend focusing on their height when choosing wall cabinets and their depth. To take a measurement, stand on your tiptoes, imagine that you want to get something from the very top shelf, reach for it with your hand and make a mark at the appropriate level.
Ikea kitchens have been produced for several years. The unlimited base of both technical and marketing capabilities of the company is successfully applied in practice every day. Every year, the company releases new collections that correspond to the latest developments and fresh innovative solutions, so Ikea products are always modern and meet all consumer needs. If you have already decided to purchase furniture from this company, you are unlikely to be disappointed and regret the purchase.
