There's No Place Like IKEA

If I were ever to fall in love with a place (other than a vacation home away from home), IKEA is that place.  If you live in Erie, it's not likely you've had the IKEA experience unless you’ve travelled to Pittsburgh, Cleveland or Detroit (unfortunately Buffalo does not have an IKEA store, but a "Bring IKEA to Buffalo" Facebook page means some folks there are certainly trying).

My first ever visit to IKEA took days of planning - mapping the location, checking the catalog online, and comparing prices with other box store  competitors like Lowes and Home Depot.  With excitement mounting (well, at least I was excited), John and I decided an IKEA kitchen is the perfect fit for this renovation reality.  With our plans plotted down on paper, we decided everything must go - even the kitchen sink. 

Do It Yourself Design

Do yourself a favor, and go online right now to the IKEAHome Planner and check out IKEA's “Design Your Dream Kitchen in 3D” feature.  Once you establish a login password, there is no limit to the number of kitchen designs you can create.  If you don't have the funds to hire a professional designer or architect, the IKEA Home Planner 3D Tool is a dream.  It not only allows you to create and save multiple designs, IKEA’s software program (similar to what a CAD programmer would use) is extremely user-friendly.  With a click and a drag, you’re able to place your cabinets and appliances; add your walls, flooring, hardware and lighting.  We gave the entire experience an A+ for ease of use and simplicity.  One obvious note: be sure you have actual dimensions of your kitchen before you start designing. 

Once you're happy with your design and ready to order, I do recommend you visit a store and allow an IKEA Kitchen Design staff member to be your second set of eyes.  While the software has built in features to safeguard your kitchen against design errors and pitfalls, the staff makes sure you are getting exactly what you pay for. 

Sleek and Stylish

My three must-have's for this kitchen redesign: clean lines, stainless steel and lots of cabinet space.  For that, an IKEA kitchen simply cannot be beat.   Sleek and stylish defines most IKEA products and this modern kitchen is no exception.  While price was an obvious consideration, we had budgeted $8,000 for our overhaul, excluding appliances.  IKEA is known for unbeatable prices – but if you want that economical price, you’re going to have to work for it. IKEA cabinets come in boxes….lots of them….flat, wide boxes by the dozens….

Price & Delivery

Erie, Pennsylvania is in the IKEA delivery zone and cost an additional $139.00, plus tax, for shipping to 711 Ohio.  We ordered our kitchen on a Wednesday and it was delivered the following Thursday.  Fortunately we were able to take advantage of a promotional 20% discount by ordering before Thanksgiving and used that savings to order an IKEA stainless steel dishwasher, which was essentially free.  We added in a stainless steel electric range/oven for $799.00 for an entire IKEA kitchen redesign at $3983.44 (after discount and excluding delivery).  Thanks to a Black Friday special, we also purchased a stainless steel Kenmore side-by-side refrigerator for $699, plus tax.   The grand total for new birch cabinets, ceramic farmhouse kitchen sink, IKEA designer faucet, and appliances:  $4870.00. 

We still have a few key decisions to make, such as flooring, countertop and backsplash – but we are well on our way to coming in under budget.  (Note:  an IKEA estimate for a Quartz counter top came in a $2666.00).

With more boxes that Santa could fit in his sleigh, our IKEA kitchen install awaits us.  The guys who delivered it did make a few key recommendations:  buy a case of beer and if that doesn’t work, find a good divorce lawyer...

Looking Ahead:  We’ll answer the question: “How long does it take to demo a kitchen?”

And, Looking Back:  We’ll answer:  “Did Seaway Manufacturing ever call to follow up on their window proposal?”