I conquered IKEA cabinetry

We pretty well knew from the beginning that we would use IKEA cabinetry in our kitchen renovation.  The price is right (especially during one of their 20% off kitchens sales) and it looked like something we could do ourselves.  While we were in the process of selling the old house, we made several trips to IKEA as well as their website as we planned a layout for the new kitchen.  One of the very first things we did after getting our check from the sale of our house was head straight to IKEA to purchase our cabinets.

Their cabinet experts are super helpful and aided us in laying out exactly what we wanted using their computers at the store.  I received a complete printout of everything we needed and how it was to be laid out.  We scheduled delivery, and like with so many other things we purchased for the renovation, stored the piles of boxes of flat-packed cabinetry in the carport until we were ready to get to it.

Overhead shot of kitchen layout

IKEA cabinets are wonderful because they really can be completely customized to your own space and tastes.  However, because of the degree of customization available, each feature is basically an option and therefore comes separately from the base product.  That means LOTS of different boxes each with their own numbers.

I went through my item list from the order print out and began sorting the item numbers into my own list based on which wall of the kitchen the items were intended to be installed.  I could not have done this without the IKEA app for my iPhone. I sat on my sofa (also an IKEA purchase) with a clipboard, a pencil, my original item list and my phone.  I entered in item numbers and figured out which cabinet they went to and which accessories (drawers, drawer fronts, etc.) went with what.

The app was also invaluable when it came to installation.  Every item that requires assembly (which is just about everything from IKEA, hence the savings) is listed in the app along with the instructions for installation AND a list of all parts that correspond.  For instance, I was installing a base cabinet with 4 drawers.  I was able to go to the kitchen product section, find the cabinet I wanted, select the cabinet front that I was using and then found a complete list of all related item numbers.  I, then, could cull through the piles of boxes in my back room and locate the boxes based on their numbers.  From there, the assembly instructions are really pretty simple.  They get even easier after you put together 3 or 4 or 17 or... I did this over and over and over until every cabinet was assembled.  It became somewhat of a tedious process but completely worth it.  I will, however, admit that my hands and fingers actually became sore and nearly rubbed raw from the masses of tiny screws and nails that I handled over the course of the several days that I was doing this.

I can't say it enough:
If you are going to install IKEA cabinets yourself, GET THE APP!!  Also, it's free.

I originally had not planned on purchasing my sink at IKEA, but I fell in love with the double-bowl apron front.
Also, it was 20% off along with all our cabinets, as well as our dishwasher and vent hood.

Conveniently, flattened IKEA boxes make GREAT floor protectors as we continued with kitchen renovation.

I love that we were able to purchase a cover panel for our dishwasher that matches the rest of the cabinets.
It installed really easily, and for those who have concerns about buying a Swedish dishwasher, worry not.  All IKEA appliances are actually Whirlpool appliances and can be serviced by anyone who services Whirlpool.  It's been 4 months and we have no issues to report.
Actually, we were having some issues with film on our glasses and dishes not getting clean, but we figured out that our well water was the issue.  We switched to all LemiShine products, and now our dishes sparkle.