Adding Custom Touches to an Ikea Kitchen
When we started this renovation I had set out a pretty aggressive 5-week timeline. In the beginning, my hubby kept saying that it really wasn’t that aggressive – until we found ourselves working until midnight a couple of nights to get the work done so it was ready for the next day! Yes, it was aggressive as both my hubby and I worked during the day and then worked on our reno in the evening and every weekend. That was a choice we made in deciding to do a lot of the work ourselves. Here's what our timeline looked like:
When I decided to go with an Ikea kitchen, I wanted to find ways to make it look more customized. There are two things I did to give it a more customized look.
Adding Custom Touches to an Ikea Kitchen
Tip #1
Ikea has some really great cabinet handles and pulls that look just fine.
That being said, I wanted to add a customized look to my cabinets so I chose to get handles and pulls from a different source. When it comes to kitchen handles, I took a lot of time deciding on what I wanted. I went back and forth with different styles until I was sure of what I wanted. I actually stood in front of my cabinets and pull out drawers and envisioned where my hand would go when I opened the drawer. I know that sounds funny, but I’m so visual that I needed to do that to get in my head, what I really wanted. When it comes to choosing handles and pulls, I also needed to decide on the correct size as well as the correct placement when installing them. So you see, it’s just not a 5 second decision that can be made! Here are the knobs and pulls that I have chosen for my kitchen in a polished chrome finish.
Adding Custom Touches to an Ikea Kitchen
Tip #2
The crown molding that Ikea provides is great as it matches the cabinet colors however, it doesn't go fight to the ceiling. There is always a little gap. I wanted the look of our crown molding to go right to the ceiling and I also didn’t want the standard look that Ikea provides. When trying to find images to relay what I wanted to my hubby, I came across this blog and image that was exactly the look that I was going for.
I knew we didn't have the kind of space this image shows (we have just under 2" from the cabinet to the ceiling) however that was not going to stop me. I found some great crown molding that would give this look. Although we have had to paint it to match the cabinets, that little bit of work is WELL worth the effort to get the look I was hoping for.So where do we sit with our renovation timeline? The kitchen is fully installed (except for the quartz counters which were on backorder and I was not willing to compromise by choosing a different counter and the backsplash), the hardwood is in, the little bit of carpet is installed and my house is starting to feel like a home again. We moved in all of our furniture and now the unpacking begins. While there are little things that still need to get done (and by little I mean really little things), boy – it sure feels good. I’m just starting the decorating stage so you won't see too many pictures until it’s time for the big reveal.Until next time…
When it comes to renovations and work done in your home, you just can not afford to make a mistake! Send me an email to discuss your home.
One of the biggest investments one can make is the investment of a home and I believe you should LOVE coming home – every.single.day.
Related Posts
WHERE TO START WITH A RENOVATION
MY LOVE HATE RELATIONSHIP WITH PINTEREST
ORGANIZING AND DESIGN GO HAND-IN-HAND
THE RENOVATION JOURNEY WE’RE ABOUT TO EMBARK ON