I just installed Sektion cabinets in my kitchen. (didn't use ikea doors)

As far as I can tell the quality and most of the features are the same as Akrum. (But apparently the prices went up some) The drawer hardware is still blum tandembox. They got rid of some options and added others, but the biggest change is that the sizes for everything are standardized and modular so you can mix and match and stack cabinets easier. For example, drawer front sizes are 5", 10" and 15", doors are 20", 30", 40", etc. The aesthetics are a little different because of this.

As usual, the US didn't get the really good door styles and the cool new black-brown cabinet boxes...

fishcow, who's doors did you use and how'd it go?

My dad made them, actually. He's got all the fun woodworking toys in his garage. I did get a quote from Scherrs and was impressed with their responsiveness. Was not impressed by Semihandmade.

Way to go, Dad!

Cheers.

We are in the middle of an ikea remodel, so I haven't used them in a working kitchen yet, but I've liked the Sektion modular options for planning, and the drawers and hardware for them are really impressive for the price. We are not using the ikea doors, though, we've ordered bamboo doors from semihandmade - they're not here yet, so I can't give you a review on them.

Here's a link to an excellent thread on the new IKEA Sektion cabinets from Stephanj, I found it very helpful. http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/3116343/stephanjs-sektion-kitchen-preview?n=103

If you can you should seriously consider it...in my kitchen I would have had to relocate the sink and a window to get a configuration that made any sense so another line where the cabinet sizes could be ordered in 2" increments (32", 34", 36", etc) rather than 5" or 6" (30", 36") made sense.

The drawer hardware is still blum tandembox.

Well, actually they now have two options: maximera, which is roughly equivalent to the old akurum quality, and forvara, which is "Budget" with a capital B. Not even full extension.

EDIT If you price out your kitchen with drawers that say "for" in the little pulldown menu on the ikea site, you will be in for quite a shock if you go in and tell them you really wanted "max" instead. The price difference is pretty large when you add it up all over a kitchen.

We were in the same situation as you. We put akurum in our last house in 2007. We sold our house last summer and the great looking kitchen probably help us get an above asking contract in 15 hours.

We are now in our "forever" home and I've been dragging my feet since February, not making a decision and using folding tables as countertops. I went back and forth between so many options, but ultimately landed on IKEA Sektion. You just can't beat the value. And if you want to change the cabinet doors, drawer fronts and even the interiors, you can swap them out easily.

we just bought our cabinets three days ago. I did a pretty good job on the drawing, got there at 1015 in the morning, the IKEA employee review the plan and made some tweaks and I had my receipt within 30 minutes.

thryre not installed yet (I wish) but after comparing the differences I do think we'll be just as happy with Sektion as akurum and our bank account will be happy too. Our 7'5"x12'6" galley kitchen with 30" uppers and all drawers was $2700 in Veddinge White.

Akurum had a lower end drawer option as well.

We recently installed Sektion, and there is simply no comparision between the superior value, flexibility, and fit/finish of Sektion compared to brands priced significantly higher, imo. For us, it was a no-brainer decision.

I just purchased 3 sample cabinets to help decide on which drawers would be most useful. Impressions up to now, cabinets & maximera drawers are good, but I think "budget" is too nice a description for the forvara drawers.

benjesbride We just looked at the Sektion line this weekend and really like them. I have this amazing skill of being able to pick out the most expensive item in any situation so of course I like the pricey high gloss white cabinets the most.

I like the Ringhult too! We have expensive taste; it's the most expensive door :-) I'm happy with the Veddinge, though. Ringhult's too modern for our house.

Did they have the new Marsta on display? They weren't out yet the last time we were at Ikea. I think they're a nice mix of modern and warm.

Ha! That's funny. Those cabinets are probably in excellent condition!

I was just in Ikea this weekend was admiring all the beautiful kitchen displays. Does Ikea also do the install or are you on your own for that?

IKEA does have a company that does the installs. I'm waiting to hear back from their GC as I'm looking to have a non-load bearing wall removed as part of kitchen re-do so I'm looking for a one stop solution.

LOVE this system! fitted a bank of wall cabinets in a bathroom nook -- installation was crazy-easy, and I'm loving the clean, simple look. And, those soft-close drawers. Finishing up the kitchen now (another EASY install), and I'm loving the soft, almost-matte finish of the white Veddinge doors even more. Knocked out the old plaster soffit (no ceiling repairs, thanks to the add'l depth!), taking the cabinets to the ceiling. The space looks so much larger! And, I'll bet we've got (at least) 50% more storage thanks to their drawers and clever fittings -- without adding an inch to the footprint!

P.S. My sister installed an Akurum kitchen nearly 15 yrs ago -- everything still looks and works like new.