5 Tips for Dealing with IKEA’s Current Kitchen Cabinet Backorders

Kitchen cabinet backorders and delays are diminishing – and not a problem at all IKEAs. But best to plan.

As some IKEA customers have experienced, IKEA’s supply chain has been greatly impacted since COVID-19 began last year. This slowdown has caused many customers to deal with limited IKEA kitchen cabinet inventory and frustrating delivery delays as they seek to begin, or finish, their IKEA kitchen remodel project. Put plainly, these obstacles have put a real crimp in the project timeline for customers and design professionals.

Despite this, our designers are optimistic things will get better, and you should be too. Why’s that? Well, for starters we’ve seen that backorders and product delays are diminishing and are not a problem at all IKEA locations. Plus, IKEA has not increased its cabinet prices this entire time (while, at the same time industry-wide cabinet prices have increased due to the rising cost of materials). And with this bit of good news is another: There are additional steps you can take to mitigate these issues and get your IKEA kitchen project moving in the right direction.

Therefore, we’d like to offer a few solutions. These are tips IKEA customers can utilize to deal with current back orders and all are practical ways to save you time, money and stress during the design and product selection process for your IKEA kitchen. This also includes information on how to know when your IKEA products are in stock.

Overall, things are improving, but it’s still best to plan — and to stick with IKEA. We’re here to help you do just that, and the following tips will go a long way in getting your fully realized IKEA kitchen designed and installed on time.

Let’s take a look!

Tip #1 – Design Early

The first tip is to design your IKEA kitchen as soon as possible.

This is really sound advice anytime, however our designers advise getting ahead of any backorders, but still knowing that there may be product delays. After all, your IKEA kitchen design not only includes cabinets, but other materials that could be delayed as well, including countertops, sinks and faucets.

By designing early – particularly by utilizing IKD’s services to build out your list – it will ensure that no item is overlooked as we include our signature Extra Items List (items necessary for your installation that aren’t included in IKEA’s Home Planner). You will also receive two revisions with your design services, so by the time your must-have item is finally in-stock, your kitchen will be too.

Tip #2 – Order Early

Predictably, the next solution is to order your products early and store what’s available.

The principle behind this is simple: As backorders become available, buy and store your inventory checklist until it’s complete. (Designer Tip: IKEA’s cabinets come unassembled so they won’t take up much space in your home while you search for an IKEA installer).

**Keep in mind, while IKEA’s backorders and delivery delays are frustrating, the lead time for IKEA deliveries is comparable if not better than other cabinet companies whose average delivery time during COVID is around three to six months!

That said, you’re probably wondering “Great, but how do I know when my stuff is ready?”

Well, you have the ability to pre-order and track your purchases by accessing your IKEA Home Planner account.

It works like this: Through IKD’s design services, a PDF copy of your final design is uploaded to your IKEA Home Planner account and the Home Planner design is created specifically to generate an itemized material list for your IKEA purchase. [Note: This itemized purchasing list includes the IKEA materials list; a price list, and IKD’s signature Extra Items list.] As IKD designer Florence, explains: “We create the customer’s itemized list and upload their project. Our design integrates when we upload a copy of the project to the customer´s Home Planner account. So with one click they can transfer their project to their shopping cart.” Once done, you can proceed to your shopping cart and checkout; the Home Planner will alert you to the inventory status and alert you that an item is not available.

Tip #3 – Create and Wait

This tip is the equivalent of having a wait-and-see approach with IKEA cabinet inventory.

The goal is to envision your kitchen design, then simply wait until IKEA has inventory that fulfills your design must-have list. By doing so, it provides an excellent opportunity to familiarize yourself with and gather information on available IKEA products or custom cabinet fronts from third-party manufacturers. It also gives you time to research examples of IKEA kitchens on design Web sites like HOUZZ or Pinterest.

Tip #4 – Change and Adapt

One of the things we want to stress the most to IKEA customers is to remain positive and agile during this process. This is especially true if you place your order and are willing to substitute or change your design to deal with any inventory shortages.

This is a perfect opportunity to consider custom third-party manufacture cabinet door fronts that work with IKEA’s SEKTION cabinetry framework, such as those from Semihandmade. (Remember, IKD has been recommended by The New York Times as a design resource for customers considering custom doors for their cabinets.)

Also, keep in mind using online ordering as a means to save yourself time. This will limit trips to your local IKEA — which frankly, may not be that local for some customers.

Tip #5 –Fill In the Details

The remodeling process can be long and disruptive, so the last option is to simply go ahead and install your kitchen while it’s still missing items.

While this solution is not for everyone, as long as you are comfortable with it you can wait until backorders arrive. While this initially will speed up the process a little, keep in mind that the longer backorders and deliveries are delayed the harder it may be to retain and schedule your local installer.

Ultimately, no one can predict how long there will continue to be backorder issues for some IKEA stores — not even IKEA itself. However, we think these solutions are a good step for IKEA customers to move forward with their IKEA kitchen remodel. And remember, when you do, we’ll be right there along the way with you!

Learn more about how we can design your IKEA kitchen, bath, laundry room and closet at inspiredkitchendesign.com.