11 Things You Should Know about IKEA Cabinets (FAQs)

IKEA is one of the popular furniture brands in the United States, and it offers an affordable option for home owners and renters planning a kitchen renovation. Most of its fixtures have lower-than-usual price tags, and you may be lucky to get coupons and discounts during IKEA Kitchen Event.

Before you decide to buy and install IKEA cabinets in your kitchen, there are certain things you should know.

Frequently Asked Questions about IKEA Cabinets

1. How close can Ikea cabinets be to the ceiling?

Home planners recommend leaving a gap between the ceiling and the top of the IKEA cabinets. If you decide to use IKEA's home planner, the planner will not allow you to close the space between the ceiling and the top of your cabinet. Since most ceilings are 96 inches (8 feet) high, the wall cabinets are mounted so that there are 54 inches above the floor, hence leaving 42 inches of available space for wall cabinets.

If the IKEA cabinet height is 36 inches high, they will leave a 6 inches row above the wall cabinet. You can choose to fill the open space or leave it open as a storage area. If you decide to fill it, you can use crown moldings or other types of decorative work. If you decide to leave the space open, you could use the space as a wine storage area, store cookbooks, put baskets and stuff items you no longer use, or add an extra shelf.

2. Are IKEA cabinets real wood?

IKEA cabinets are made from ¾” medium-density fiberwood (MDF), which is fabricated from hardwood and softwood by-products. While this material is not real wood, it is much stronger than particleboard and it is “wood” to the same degree that plywood is. MDF is made using real wood byproducts (hardwood and softwood), which are then bound together with resins and waxes, and then pressed under high pressure to form a sheet.

3. Can IKEA cabinets be refaced?

If your IKEA cabinets are old or outdated, you can have them refaced. Re-facing is a cost-saving option compared to remodeling, and it is an alternative method to give your cabinets a new look.

IKEA cabinet refacing involves replacing cabinet skin panels to revamp the cabinet look. Refacing may also involve applying a new veneer on the body surfaces, as well as replacing the handles, drawers, and hinges. If the doors are broken, you can install new doors and door fronts. You can even reconfigure the kitchen cabinets to incorporate modern designs such as garbage drawers, deeper drawers, and spice storage drawers.

4. Can you hang IKEA base cabinets?

You can hang IKEA base cabinets directly on a suspension rail for easier installation and adjustments. The suspension rail must be straight and level, and it should be secured against the wall with the right screw. As long as the suspension is level, the base cabinets will be level. The suspension rail is an 80” long piece that is included in the package, and it helps keep the hanging easier.

5. What is the height of IKEA base cabinets?

IKEA base cabinets are 30 inches high, and once you add the legs and the countertop, this height increases to 36 inches. This height is a standard architectural style as it has been determined that 36 inches is the most practical height for both short and tall people. Base cabinets must be accessible to the user, and this explains why most designers and installers stick with a height of 36 inches for IKEA base cabinets.

6. How do you attach countertops to IKEA cabinets?

To secure the countertop to your cabinet, start by positioning the countertop on the base cabinets. Add a break of construction adhesive along the edge of the cabinet that gives support to the countertop. Then, position the countertop into place or remove the shims holding the countertop pieces. Use a power drill to screw the buildup strips to the countertop. Remember to check the thickness of the countertop so that you use the correct nail size to hold the countertop firmly against the base cabinets.

‍

7. How do you install crown molding on IKEA cabinets?

Crown moldings are nailed to the wall studs, and they are installed using the following steps:

• Start by measuring the space between the ceiling and the cabinets to determine the correct size of crown molding to fit the available space.

• Attach evenly-spaced cleats to the cabinets to keep the molding straight during installation.

• Position the molding across the space, and use the cleats to hold it into place.

• Use a hammer to drive the nails into the molding from inside the cabinet to attach the moldings to the cupboards.

8. Are Ikea cabinets cheaper than home depot?

If you are trying to keep to a budget with your kitchen renovation, you could consider using either IKEA or Home Depot cabinets. Both options are popular among homeowners, and their prices are comparable.

Usually, most Home Depot kitchen cabinets cost $20,000 to $25,000 including installation, while IKEA kitchen cabinets range from $10,000 to $15,000 plus installation. Prices may vary depending on whether you want ready-to-assemble options or pre-assembled cabinets. At Home Deposit, these units range from $100 to $3000 per cabinet, while IKEA cabinets range from $60 to $1600 per cabinet. If you are looking for a retailer with a wider selection of kitchen cabinets, you should check Home Depot. Home Depot stocks a variety of brands, hence has more kitchen cabinet options, compared to IKEA, which sells its branded products.

9. Are IKEA cabinets made in china?

Although most IKEA products are designed in Sweden, most of its products are manufactured in China. China manufactures about 22% of IKEA products, and there are about 350 suppliers in China who supply to IKEA. Other countries where IKEA products are manufactured include developing countries such as Malaysia, Myanmar, and Vietnam. IKEA products are also manufactured in Eastern European countries such as Romania and Poland.

10. Are IKEA cabinets strong enough for granite?

Yes, IKEA cabinets are strong enough to support a granite countertop. Usually, granite measures 16 to 17 lbs. per square foot, and this weight is spread over the kitchen cabinets and should not pose any problem. Standard manufactured or custom IKEA cabinets rarely need any reinforcement to hold the granite countertop. Some IKEA cabinet installers place plywood beneath the granite countertop to hold the weight of the granite (if it has a thickness of more than ¾”) to prevent granite from cracking.

11. How do you secure IKEA cabinets to the wall?

In most kitchens, IKEA cabinets are attached to the wall using screws. Start by determining how your wall is constructed to determine how to attach the cabinet to the wall. The type of wall construction could be drywall with wood studs, drywall with metal studs, plaster with wood studs, or masonry.

If your wall is built with drywall or plaster, you should first locate the wood stud behind the wall using a stud finder, and mark where to install screws. Then, lift and position the cabinet in place and install screws to hold the box into place. Make sure to use IKEA’s specified measurements for a stable hold. Some of the tools you need when attaching IKEA cabinets to the wall include a cordless drill, shims, and level.

‍