We have done two IKEA kitchens and they have both been awesome. Both times we worked with a third party company who helped with design and did all the install. It was excellent

I’d be absolutely sure I was comparing apples to apples as in $60000 fully installed and $15000 fully installed. That said, I love my IKEA kitchen and would consider it regardless of budget

I think that the opportunity costs of being able to do something else with $45K makes this a no brainer and they will be functionally equivalent at minimum. IKEA.

I would challenge that you "have" to replace anything if you are willing to accept Ikea's limitations for small spaces. Maybe what you have can be painted, with a new counter, for less than that. In any event, there is a huge amount of space between the two in quality and cost, and you would probably be better off exploring that middle ground.

For me always a o brainer when people ask waht is most cost effective . I have been doing IKea kitchens for over 20 yrs both for clients and for myself they will last as long as any other cabinet you will buy . Yes they have limitstions about color or style but still IMO best bang for you buck To 45K can be spent making those 10 yrs something so much better than cabinets . BTW in all those years I have had one client have a warranty issue and it was solved in the store in 1 hr. My last home had Ikea for 18 yrs the kitchen sold the house it was preistine and I ran acatering biz from it for 15 yrs.

This is like comparing Hushey candy from the dollar store with bespoke Phillip Ashley chocolates. Find yourself some Snickers bars or even Lindt. The middle or low middle ground always provides the best options while keeping budget in mind. Aristokraft. Homecrest, Timberlake, Merillat Classic, Medallion Silverline, Kemper Echo, etc. Ikea's value lies in the DIY labor aspect of it. Not in their options. They have very few options in both sizes and doors.

Sorry I would put IKea up aginst any of those if cost effective was the only criteria . Some of my clients have had fun putting the cabinets toegther but most have used Ikeas install BTW with great results .

the factors I would bear in mind. 1, Housing is going through a serious correction 2. Senior population is large but they also have children not as well off to consider allocating assets to. 3. the desirability of this location in general. 4. your health and the promptness of a sale of this home as your needs might dictate. These are Mixed factors at play but I might consider current home value as quite high. I might foresee that a la carte scenarios for seniors in the future might arise so assuming home's value will be recouped might come into question. I might consider executing for a "better" kitchen doing a few tweaks to what exists but current kitchen needs to be shown. Answer to questionn.... Ikea if this project is 100% certain

Can you share the plans for each kitchen? I know ikea has some limitations but they are normally able to be worked around jn most cases to still make a great kitchen. What cabinets is the designer recommending? What will counters be?

I have seen some IKEA kitchens that have been posted on this site that have been stunning!

Based upon what I've read, there are installers who know how to "hack" IKEA cabinets in order to make the cabinet size needed - and YouTube has examples of how to do this.

You can find people experienced re: installing IKEA kitchens on Taskrabbit and other places.

There is also IKD (Inspired Kitchen Design) that specializes in IKEA kitchens. They design IKEA kitchens and provide detailed installation instructions (including ways to customize cabinets).

https://inspiredkitchendesign.com/

There is a "Past Projects" tab at the top of the home page - when you click on one of the kitchen photos, it will show you many of the different "extras" included inside of cabinets/drawers + provide the plan that was provided for the installer.

I have designed kitchens where custom was the answer from cabinet companies it takes time to design an Ikea kitchen and for you I advise let Ikea measure and design Keep the choices simple but make sure all base cabinets are drawers . A simpl e counter that is classic same for pulls and knobs timeless will stand the test for the next 10 yrs so good ROI. This is na IKe kitchen done in 2002 still looks awesome , we know the last buyer , I checked out for my own info the cost to do that red laquer and stanless kitchen at that time I was quoted 40K I did the whole thing for less than 10 K not the applainces of course . Did include counters sink faucet .

Out of frame on right was a wall of pantry in the red too

This one with the orange wall was my just sold house I mentioned not bad for 18 yrs of real use .

Remember, ** NOBODY ** is going to pay an extra $45k for your home because the kitchen was done with the better quality cabinets. Nor will you have to reduce your home by $45k because it has Ikea cabinets. Every home is expected to have a working kitchen in decent shape. Ikea cabinets wear well enough that you will have that 10 years from now.

Do though make sure you are including all building and installation costs in that $15k Ikea bid.

Maybe you could SHOW the kitchen you are replacing? A few pictures? All angles?

i want to thank everyone for their reply. The previous kitchen was old. But its primary failure was that it a shotgun with a high wall blocking the view from the kitchen to the living room and dining room. We had to tear that wall down and when we did so, there went the cabinets and appliances on that wall.

Total cost for the Ikea cabinets came to $7400. Installation is $3200 through Ikea. It cost around $3500 to demolish the old kitchen. Today, I went to Lowes, and bought some of the least expensive appliances that would fit our needs: that was $7325.

The only kicker was that the old kitchen had a weird angle in it. We had Ikea come out and design the new kitchen with the old kitchen still there. When we went down to the store to finalize the kitchen, the designer had some questions about the angle and she requested another measurement with the cabinets gone. It was done.

Before the design was finalized, the designer had another, more experienced designer come over for a second look. The second designer did some fine tuning, and we placed the order. Hopefully, every everything will turn out ok.

Once everything is installed, I will upload some pictures. Below is a picture of the old kitchen. You can see the angle and soffits.

Good Luck..A nice new kitchen for 2026..you must be excited.

Regarding fine tuning -please post the Ikea layout and design here. You will find no better place to have a second final review to catch any mistakes or need for further tweaks. (@JAN MOYER is on this thread and she's wonderful at this.)

It is great that you have had multiple measurements and revisions with your Ikea designer. And, I understand that an order has been placed. Still, you are at a point where slight changes can be make so that your investment is not just good, but perfect.

Hopefully, every everything will turn out ok.

Don't hope. Know!

Sounds like the kitchen is happening. We had excellent experiences with the ikea design team and instal teams too. I can’t wait to see it!

For the past few years I keep returning to replacing our very outdated (35 yrs) kitchen cabinets.This is an informative thread. I have waited FAR TOO LONG to enjoy a new kitchen in retirement.