Designer’s Picks: 5 Projects from IKD and Semihandmade (Part 1)

IKD designers review favorite kitchens featuring Semihandmade

When it comes to eye-catching IKEA kitchen designs, everyone has their favorites. IKD designers are no different.

In fact, for our design team, there are certain kitchen designs that stand out as great examples of designing with IKEA cabinets. What makes these designs even more unique, however, is that they each combine IKEA’s SEKTION cabinetry framework with door fronts from Semihandmade, giving each design a unique, custom feel.

Maybe it’s a kitchen that requires a seamless built-in look; a petite yet functional kitchen with interesting textures; an IKEA kitchen with a balance of dark and light cabinets; or a timeless kitchen in a class modern style. Each one has a distinct personality.

Creating these custom designs is one example of why we’ve been recommended by The New York Times as a design resource for customers considering custom doors for their cabinets. (We’ve also been referenced by Martha Stewart Living as experts on how to reduce kitchen renovation costs as well).

So if you’ve been researching examples of kitchen designs on HOUZZ or Pinterest, we’d like to share the potential for your IKEA kitchen using Semihandmade. We’re sure that IKEA customers interested in custom design options using Semihandmade cabinet fronts will appreciate seeing some of these results.

Let’s take a look!

A Built-In IKEA Kitchen

According to IKD designer Javier, the first IKEA kitchen features Semihandmade cabinet fronts for a mixture of warmth and class.

The kitchen was designed to maximize storage and also feature the built-in look with panel ready appliances. To that end, the kitchen features Semihandmade DIY Shaker cabinet fronts in Narragansett Green for the upper cabinets; IKEA MAXIMERA drawers; IKEA UTRUSTA hinges, and  IKEA panel-ready refrigerator and dishwasher. Javier explains: “The color of the cabinets and the different materials and textures of the covers make this kitchen elegant.”

Specifically, the Semihandmade DIY Shaker cabinet fronts are featured on the base cabinets below the sink area; on either side of the range and also on the center island — providing ample storage options and creating a very efficient workflow. Other accessories featured are a CBC (Corner Susan) and a pull-out trash can. Javier concludes: “This kitchen is the perfect combination, [featuring] a trendy color and brass handles.”

Good Vibes IKEA Kitchen

There is something about an IKEA kitchen with natural-looking colors that gives off good vibes.

“No doubt, the noble colors, the natural light from the windows, and the artificial lights create an area of drama and sophistication [in this IKEA kitchen],” IKD designer Merari says.

Specifically, this layout combines IKEA’s SEKTION cabinetry framework with Semihandmade SM Shaker White cabinet fronts for the sink and cooktop wall areas; and Semihandmade SM Chris Loves Julia cabinet fronts for the tall cabinets. These are complemented by IKEA MAXIMERA drawers and IKEA UTRUSTA hinges.

“Every kitchen space was put to good use by using cabinets over the counter, built-in ovens, and creating more storage space with cabinets,” Merari adds. To that end, the kitchen also features an IKEA pull-out blind cabinet, a pull-out for garbage, internal drawers, and a tall unit with external-internal drawers. The look is completed with a panel-ready dishwasher and refrigerator.

She concludes that the end result is “a space that flows when it comes to cooking, and offers the perfect setting for a chef and the delight of diners.”

Small IKEA Kitchen

Good things definitely come in small packages, says IKD designer Carlos.

“When we think of a small but sacrificed space, this kitchen teaches us a valuable lesson. Custom furniture was used to take advantage of each space in this kitchen. We also played with different textures and colors, different heights in furniture, and IKEA UTRUSTA floating shelves,” he says.

Highlighting the space are Semihandmade Impression Tahoe cabinet fronts (featured in the lower and tall cabinets); as well as Semihandmade’s DIY Cream fronts for the upper cabinets. The look is further enhanced by glass doors; a panel-ready dishwasher and IKEA MAXIMERA drawers and IKEA FORBATTRA toe kicks.

“Both the wall cabinets with glass doors and the shelves give us the feeling of spaciousness. We took advantage of these spaces to give prominence to those pieces that we have inherited or to the perfect ceramic tableware,” Carlos concludes.

Colorful kitchen features Semihandmade

For IKD designer Meyer, his favorite IKEA kitchen featuring Semihandmade is a match made in heaven.

“The combination of white and blue creates a perfect harmony in this design, although we used all the walls to place the cabinets, a balance was created between the wall cabinets with glass doors, solid doors and floating shelves,” he says.

This colorful kitchen features Semihandmade SM Quarter line Night Sky cabinet fronts for the lowers and tall cabinets and Semihandmade SM Shaker White cabinet fronts for the upper cabinets. The theme is even carried through the white appliances and countertops, providing a perfect complement between the darker and lighter look. Other accessories featured here are an IKEA pull-out blind unit, IKEA pull-out for trash, tall cabinets with IKEA MAXIMERA drawers; IKEA FORBATTRA cover panels in white; as well as pull-outs for storage and spices.

“Every inch of this kitchen invites us to want to prepare our favorite food or desserts,” he says, adding that the large island provides ample seating for guests as well. “This kitchen was really designed for the serious cook and host. It keeps guests visually busy while allowing the client to demonstrate their culinary skills.”

Timeless IKEA Kitchen

The classics never go out of style. This is definitely the case for this classic-styled IKEA kitchen designed by IKD designer Karla.

“Semihandmade allowed us to create a timeless kitchen. The connection between the door style and the colors make it visually integrated and reminds us of the time of good taste. It also gave the client the opportunity to have a classic-modern style,” she says.

The kitchen features Semihandmade SM Quarter line Desert Gray cabinet fronts in the base and tall cabinets, as well as Semihandmade SM Quarter line White upper cabinets; along with a pull-out for the trash can and a CBC (Corner Susan). This is complemented by IKEA UTRUSTA open shelving; IKEA VARIERA cover caps and IKEA FORBATTRA toe kicks. Combined with the stainless steel appliances, the final result is stylish, functional and inviting.

“What I like most about this kitchen is the fluidity of the space, the wide drawers and stacked wall cabinets which create a visually wider space. Also, the color of the backsplash illuminates the kitchen very well,” Karla concludes.

As you can see, using Semihandmade cabinet fronts for your IKEA kitchen can have great results. We hope you’re inspired by them as much as we enjoyed bringing them to you!

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