IKD reaches milestone of 3000 IKEA designs

Our design team reflects on some of the highlights of our many IKEA designs

As design experts, we here at IKD know what it takes to create a great IKEA kitchen: Dedication, passion and teamwork. And since IKD began offering IKEA kitchen designs online in 2008, our team has incorporated these qualities into every one of our projects, from kitchens, baths and closets to home offices, wardrobe and wine storage.

“I like designing in a space where we can incorporate many solutions and design components that will make a kitchen not only beautiful but highly functional and organized,” IKD designer Paulina says.

Put another way, we expertly use IKEA SEKTION cabinetry framework along with IKEA cabinetry options, such as IKEA RINGHULT wall cabinets; IKEA BODBYN cabinetry; IKEA VOXTORP base cabinets or IKEA GRIMSLOV cabinetry, for instance, to take your design inspiration and make it a reality, no matter how large or small the space. Or budget.

As a result, we’re proud to say we’ve just sold our 3000th design!

These designs have been diverse, including remodels and new construction, and have included classic galley kitchens; large modern country kitchens; a mid-century masterpiece and sleek New York City lofts – all while incorporating client wishes, such as an efficient workflow, unique storage solutions and of course, IKEA cabinetry (and even custom cabinetry from third party manufacturers, if desired).

“Yes, we’ve designed a lot of memorable kitchens, but to me the most important aspect of my job is the relationship I have with the customers. From the moment they decide to work with us I feel responsible for giving them the best design possible. They trust us with what we call ‘the heart of their home,’ ” says Paulina.

And that relationship really gets to the heart of our business, which is solving design challenges for their IKEA kitchen.

IKD customer Susie from Bentonville, AR, is one example.

The challenge with her design was that the nearest IKEA center was more than three hours away from her home. Every detail had to be perfect the first time, saving her time, money and stress!

She explains: “IKD included details in the plan that the IKEA kitchen designers were impressed to see. Our designer thought of clever solutions. I chose IKD because the IKEA [home planner] software was a little challenging and I wanted a trained set of eyes to look at my design. IKD made our kitchen design and installation so much better. Working with IKD was very easy, and definitely worth the money.”

We’re always happy to help our customers get the most out of their IKEA kitchen; its what motivates us for the next 3000 designs!

Customer appreciation

Without a doubt, our proudest part of this accomplishment is not just that we designed thousands of IKEA kitchens, but that those kitchens represent the thousands of customers we’ve helped enjoy their new space.

After all, when we first meet a potential customer they’re in the process of making big design decisions, are looking for design guidance and want an alternative to IKEA’s design services.

So perhaps they have a kitchen design idea, or have been inspired by Houzz or other design Web sites, or are simply looking for examples of kitchen designs.
This is where IKD excels.

We know how to take IKEA GRIMSLOV cabinetry in off-white and accent it with IKEA BLANKETT handles and hardware, and IKEA MAXIMERA drawers to turn an outdated space into a sleek, transitional and functional IKEA kitchen, for instance. Or to combine white IKEA RINGHULT wall cabinets and IKEA VOXTORP base cabinets in Walnut to go along with IKEA SEKTION cabinetry hardware to add warmth to a galley-style kitchen.

Remember: IKEA offers kitchen planners, IKD are design experts.

With our design services, we’re looking to best understand your space’s design and function needs, and that requires a lot of teamwork and communication between us and our customers.

Through photos and videos, our customers let us into their family life to better understand their needs – and that’s a huge honor.

It also means listening to the client. That means being able to incorporate elements such as a big island that can provide extra counter space or casual seating for entertaining; or maybe glass-fronted cabinets that can be used to display nice china or collectibles.

“We did a kitchen once with a hutch full of glass cabinets to display a colorful LeCreuset cookware collection. That’s one I remember most. It was kind of like an Old English-meets-modern-farmhouse kitchen. Talk about new design styles and trends!” Paulina says.

She adds that a deep level of familiarity with the client insures that no matter the design challenge, IKD is up for it.

“My favorite designs are small kitchens, and I’m talking about the really tiny kind. I love the challenge of transforming them into really beautiful and functional kitchens,” she says. “With tiny kitchens the challenge starts with IKEA’s restriction on cabinet sizes, but that’s what we’re here for! One of our famous hacks (used in tiny kitchens) is our baking sheets storage with vertical dividers. The use of this and other hacks help us get the most out of a space and maximize storage.”

So basically, solving the customer’s concerns with our design expertise while making the process efficient and stress-free is what it’s all about.
IKD customer Charmaine from Long Island City, NY, agrees.

“It was difficult for me to envision how our kitchen would look using the IKEA Kitchen Planner. It just looked like boxes to me. I wanted to have a full kitchen rendering and that was why we chose IKD. We wanted to see how our kitchen would look and [see] other ways we can configure our cabinet sizes. The price was so affordable and IKD really moved quickly to meet the kitchen sales deadline,” she says.

The result? A dynamic European-styled kitchen with IKEA SEKTION cabinetry framework, custom fronts and high-end appliances – all within a $40,000 budget.

IKD customer Jim from San Francisco, also relied on IKD’s guidance to turn an unfinished basement into an open concept kitchen and living room.

“It’s a very small house and we wanted the kitchen to be the focal point and a functional chef’s kitchen,” he says. “We’ve owned and lived in three or four different houses and the houses always had the kitchen already remodeled. IKD was indispensable at getting us the kitchen that we wanted. With IKEA and IKD you can truly get the kitchen of your dreams!”

Other rooms

Of course, our 3000 designs don’t just include kitchens as our services have grown to include other rooms as well.

Paulina explains: “It’s happened with time and experience that we can now design other areas of your house using IKEA SEKTION cabinetry. It’s super versatile. My personal favorite: laundry rooms. We tend to renovate areas of our home that are visible to others but having a well-organized laundry room can change your life. Well, it might not change it, but it will definitely improve it!

After all, wouldn’t you love coming into a well-organized laundry room rather than coming into a room and having to dig in piles of clothes just to find the detergent? It’s the little details that count.”

Specifically, IKD also provides design solutions for master baths, offices, closets, and wine storage, among others.

With our dedicated design experts, streamlined design services and a passion for great design, we’re looking forward to joining you on your IKEA design journey!

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