I'm a pro cabinetmaker. It pains me. Really, really pains me to say this. But I will, because I believe in honesty (and you're not getting a quote from me...) IKEA cabinets are decent, with caveats. As for build quality, unless you're going either high end or custom spec, they're on par with the majority of other things put there that cost a lot more. IKEA has been in the engineered board game for a very long time and it shows. Their business model is one of efficient manufacturing by limiting variances. Limited colours and finishes, limited layouts and options mean they can focus on making a better product, rather than a huge range. They go with what works and stick with it. The hardware is really, really good for the price point. I'll even admit that I've used IKEA hardware in some of my builds (not a full kitchen, but some furniture) when my supplier didn't have what I needed. They also supply parts, often for free. Keep the manual and if you blow a hinge or drawer slide, customer service can likely give you a replacement on the spot. My supplier will put me through hell for warranty, IKEA has thrown me a bag of parts and said "There's probably triple what you need, but hang on to them if you need them". Probably the biggest endorsement I can give is to say that if I was doing my own kitchen and didn't want to make my stuff, it would be my first choice. The quality has improved greatly over the last couple of decades, to the point that I think it has surpassed most of the other "ready built" manufacturers. Most of the people will compare it to either full wood or custom spec cabinets ($$$$$), where that isn't their market. They make stuff for the average person who wants nice on a budget. There are a lot of overseas "wholesale outlets" out there selling solid wood for cheap...but the wood is iffy quality and prone to warping and shifting when transported, the hardware is awful and the finishes are horribly toxic. I would never, ever buy something like that from an overseas seller. Too many risks and not nearly enough quality control. Answer from Zenmedic on reddit.com
Reddit
reddit.com › r/diy › what’s everyone’s opinions on ikea cabinetry?
r/DIY on Reddit: What’s everyone’s opinions on IKEA cabinetry?
September 9, 2023 -
I’ve seen several posts on here of people replacing kitchen and closet cabinets with IKEA stuff and it always seems like the first few comments are “IKEA stuff is junk that will break right away” and “IKEA is great for the money and mine has lasted a long time”. What has your experience been?
Top answer 1 of 103
783
I'm a pro cabinetmaker. It pains me. Really, really pains me to say this. But I will, because I believe in honesty (and you're not getting a quote from me...) IKEA cabinets are decent, with caveats. As for build quality, unless you're going either high end or custom spec, they're on par with the majority of other things put there that cost a lot more. IKEA has been in the engineered board game for a very long time and it shows. Their business model is one of efficient manufacturing by limiting variances. Limited colours and finishes, limited layouts and options mean they can focus on making a better product, rather than a huge range. They go with what works and stick with it. The hardware is really, really good for the price point. I'll even admit that I've used IKEA hardware in some of my builds (not a full kitchen, but some furniture) when my supplier didn't have what I needed. They also supply parts, often for free. Keep the manual and if you blow a hinge or drawer slide, customer service can likely give you a replacement on the spot. My supplier will put me through hell for warranty, IKEA has thrown me a bag of parts and said "There's probably triple what you need, but hang on to them if you need them". Probably the biggest endorsement I can give is to say that if I was doing my own kitchen and didn't want to make my stuff, it would be my first choice. The quality has improved greatly over the last couple of decades, to the point that I think it has surpassed most of the other "ready built" manufacturers. Most of the people will compare it to either full wood or custom spec cabinets ($$$$$), where that isn't their market. They make stuff for the average person who wants nice on a budget. There are a lot of overseas "wholesale outlets" out there selling solid wood for cheap...but the wood is iffy quality and prone to warping and shifting when transported, the hardware is awful and the finishes are horribly toxic. I would never, ever buy something like that from an overseas seller. Too many risks and not nearly enough quality control.
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Sorry for harsh lighting - but I LOVE my IKEA cabinets. Six years old and going strong. We get tons of compliments and “that’s IKEA?!?” Comments.
IKEA
ikea.com › rooms › kitchen
Kitchen Series - Explore Kitchen Cabinet Designs - IKEA
Learn more about our wide selection of kitchen cabinets and find the style, color and design that's perfect for you. The ASKERSUND series has a modern blonde ash wood effect, with a stunning grain pattern that you can both see and feel.
Videos
16:48
6 Best-Selling IKEA kitchens | 2023 - YouTube
10:43
I've Had an IKEA Kitchen for 10 Years & Here's How It's Held Up ...
11:03
BRUTALLY Honest IKEA Kitchen Review | Is the HASSLE worth it? - ...
Are You Wasting Money on IKEA Kitchen Cabinets? | 6 Month ...
12:36
Starting fresh with an IKEA kitchen: honest thoughts after downsizing ...
08:04
IKEA Kitchen: One Year Later (Regrets, Quality + Costs) - YouTube
House Digest
housedigest.com › 999233 › the-ikea-kitchen-systems-that-are-actually-worth-buying
The IKEA Kitchen Systems That Are Actually Worth Buying - House Digest
September 8, 2022 - A 2019 satisfaction study by J.D. Power pitted the SEKTION kitchen cabinets against eight other cabinet brands and ranked it based on five measured standards of quality and performance.
Hydrangea Treehouse
hydrangeatreehouse.com › ikea-kitchen-honest-review
IKEA Kitchen Cabinets Review | Honest Review After 2 years - Hydrangea Treehouse
January 1, 2025 - I was using IKEA home planner to design my Ikea kitchen. Being able to see all the options of cabinet sizes and inside layouts is simply amazing! If I were to purchase from a kitchen cabinet store, the in-store designer would just design something quickly or copy other kitchen designs and modify it, hence I won’t be able to see all the possibilities to pick one that works best ...
Emily Henderson
stylebyemilyhenderson.com › ikea-kitchen-cabinetry-review-4-years-later
How Well Do IKEA Kitchen Cabinets Actually Hold Up? A Very Honest Review 4 Years Later - Emily Henderson
February 22, 2023 - To a more discerning eye, like a designer or contractor, you can tell the materials are more cheaply made since the doors feel much lighter than real wood. But generally, I’d say they blend in nicely and our kitchen looks elevated. The way we laid out our cabinetry, using IKEA’s 3D Kitchen Planner, has proven to be super functional for the way we live our daily life.
Sweeten
sweeten.com › home › blog › home renovation projects › ikea kitchen cabinets: quality, style, and affordability
IKEA Kitchen Cabinets Guide to Quality, Style, and Affordability
November 29, 2024 - SEKTION kitchen cabinets have a 25-year limited warranty. This warranty covers all components of a SEKTION cabinet system. The policy warrants against defects in materials and workmanship.
Hannah Tyler Home
hannahtylerhome.com › blog › ikea-cabinets-full-review
IKEA Cabinets: Full Review! — Hannah Tyler Home
April 19, 2024 - I have a long list of tips regarding ordering and installing an IKEA kitchen in a furniture post. Today, let's discuss our review of the cabinets, post install : First, let me start by saying that I like the black cabinets much more than the white. I would not have done our kitchen different as I like the mix of the two; but I do feel as though the black cabinet looks far more "high end" compared to the white. There are SO many options - for example, for the tall pantry cabinet next to the fridge, we could have gone with two long 70" doors, two tall doors with one drawer underneath, etc.
THE HOMESTUD
thehomestud.com › ikea kitchen review: pros, cons, and overall quality
IKEA Kitchen review: Pros, cons, and overall quality - THE HOMESTUD The Homestud
January 25, 2021 - First, these are a true white cabinet. If you want an IKEA kitchen with true white shaker cabinets, this is the best option. Overall, I was quite pleased with their work-ability. The material cut nicely without noticeable tear out at the surface, ...
IKEA
ikea.com › products › kitchen, appliances & supplies
Kitchen Cabinets - Affordable Kitchen Cabinetry - IKEA
White kitchen cabinets are ideal for small kitchens. Short on space but want your kitchen to feel as open and airy as possible? Consider light-colored cabinetry. These neutral colors also make a great choice if you plan to sell your home in the near future as they appeal to a wide variety of buyers.
Houzz
houzz.com › discussions › 2424426 › ikea-cabinets-which-line-is-best-quality
Ikea Cabinets - Which Line is Best Quality?
I am going with a friend of mine to Ikea next week to look at cabinets for her kitchen (she wants a friend with her to bounce ideas off of). She has not decided on whether she wants stained or painted cabinets, though is leaning toward white or light color. I know that some of the Ikea cabinets are ...
IKEA
ikea.com › products › kitchen, appliances & supplies › kitchen systems › sektion kitchen
Kitchen Cabinets - Modern, Affordable Styles
More optionsSEKTIONOption: SEKTION, Wall cabinet horizontal, white/Vallstena white, 36x15x15 "Option: SEKTION, Wall cabinet horizontal, white/Vallstena white, 24x15x15 "Option: SEKTION, Wall cabinet horizontal, white/Veddinge white, 36x15x15 "Option: SEKTION, Wall cabinet horizontal, white/Axstad matte white, 36x15x15 "Option: SEKTION, Wall cabinet horizontal, white/Ringhult white, 30x15x15 "Option: SEKTION, Wall cabinet horizontal, white/Nickebo matte anthracite, 30x15x15 " ... Corners can be tricky. One minute you’re stacking neatly, the next you’re on your hands and knees searching for that one missing lid.
Yellow Brick Home
yellowbrickhome.com › an honest comparison of ikea, big box retail, and ready-to-assemble kitchen cabinets
An Honest Comparison of IKEA, Big Box Retail, and Ready-to-Assemble Kitchen Cabinets - Yellow Brick Home
October 22, 2021 - After considering cost, ease of DIY installation, customization options, and the final visual product into account, we feel that IKEA SEKTION cabinets are the best overall value of the bunch.
Cozy DIY Home
cozydiyhome.com › blog › ikea kitchen review – 10 years later!
IKEA Kitchen Review - 10 Years Later! - Cozy DIY Home
July 11, 2025 - Their new cabinet system are the SEKTION cabinets, and I’ve used these in renovations like our tiny lake house kitchen. We’ve had our cabinets for 10 years, and they still look great and work perfectly. I know quite a few people that have said the same about their IKEA kitchens.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/kitchenremodel › ikea cabinets the good, bad, and the ugly
r/kitchenremodel on Reddit: IKEA cabinets the good, bad, and the ugly
April 13, 2025 -
Can I have some feed back on ikea cabinets? They are very much in my price range but I don’t want to be making a mistake. I have two young kids and that’s one reason I am going more towards “cheaper” cabinets as I think it’s like furniture - don’t buy the GOOD stuff until the kids are out of the house.
So hit me with all the feedback please!
Top answer 1 of 5
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IMO, they are great value for the cost. They use German Blum hardware, and have a 25-year warranty. You can swap out door and drawer fronts if you get tired of the color or style you start with (or if kids damage a door...), and several companies make aftermarket solid wood doors if you want something higher-end. Because the cost is reasonable, you can likely afford more drawers in the base cabinets, which will make your kitchen more functional. We've had an IKEA kitchen for 13 years without a single complaint. They hold an amazing amount of stuff, including a 10-person place setting of glass dishes in lower drawers. IKEA kitchens are TOUGH. I'd use them again if we moved. 100% recommended.
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Honestly I have no complaints about my ikea cabinets. If you’re doing them yourself it can be a bit finicky to figure out some of the mounting, but YouTube has some great tutorials. Also try to get them to fit perfectly flush against each other in the final design, since they don’t have great options for spacers.
Stacy's Savings
stacyssavings.com › home › ikea kitchen cabinets review – 2 years later
IKEA Kitchen Cabinets Review - 2 Years Later
January 24, 2023 - Overall, I’m very impressed with the quality and stability of the IKEA Kitchen Cabinets frames. The frames are very sturdy & strong. They are not like what you think of when you think of particle board IKEA furniture. We have not had a single problem with any of the IKEA cabinet frames.
Emily Henderson
stylebyemilyhenderson.com › ikea-cabinet-review
Are IKEA Kitchen Cabinets Worth The Savings??? A Very Honest Review One Year Later - Emily Henderson
March 2, 2020 - We had our architect layout the kitchen and then went into ikea and the specialist helped pick out boxes that best fit the measurements (you must know all your measurements before going in to a specialist!). We used the cabinet face out of Denver and were able to get trim pieces so that there are no gaps which is what really makes the difference.
Architectural Digest
architecturaldigest.com › ad-it-yourself › renovation › 5 ikea kitchen cabinets to inspire your renovation
5 IKEA Kitchen Cabinets to Inspire Your Renovation | Architectural Digest | Architectural Digest
January 14, 2022 - With so many options for fronts and so many ways the Swedish brand’s products can be customized, it seems like a great idea to look to the brand for giving your kitchen an update. So we sourced five of our favorite kitchens that show off IKEA cabinetry, from just the bases to the entire construction.
Houzz
houzz.com › discussions › 5150943 › am-i-crazy-for-considering-ikea-cabinet
Am I crazy for considering ikea cabinet???
And contrary to what purveyors of other kitchen brands will tell you, IKEA cabinet boxes hold up as well as anyone's. What they never tell you is that rows of kitchen cabinets snugly screwed together and securely mounted to walls mutually reinforce each other and do not move, even with hundreds of pounds of granite counters on top of them.
Houzz
houzz.com › discussions › 5670240 › ikea-kitchen-cabinets
IKEA KITCHEN CABINETS
The Ikea kitchen does not look cheap, or out of place at all. We had considered a German Leicht kitchen, as very conveniently, a showroom is located 5 min from our house. Their quote came in at around 70 or 80k for their high gloss cabinets with glossy white fronts. While I love Leicht kitchens (our lake house came with one) we think they, along with all other European kitchens are way over prized due to the logistics of shipping from Europe.
Quora
quora.com › What-are-the-pros-and-cons-of-buying-Ikea-cabinets-versus-building-your-own-cabinets
What are the pros and cons of buying Ikea cabinets versus building your own cabinets? - Quora
Answer: I’ve built about 6 Ikea kitchens in the past decade - Ikea stuff is not the best, but I would be inclined to say it’s better than nearly anything less than double the price. I’ve also adapted some Ikea cabinets to my own designs or to fit non-standard spaces.