IKEA Kitchen remodel stress: what homeowners don’t expect

Think back to the first time you took on a big project in your home; Maybe it was redoing floors, renovating a bathroom, or updating your bathroom. We’re sure that, just like many people, it wasn’t just about staying in budget or picking paint colors that made it so challenging: it was everything else that comes with it, all at once.

Navigating a reno project, especially IKEA kitchen cabinets, can be incredibly stressful, whether you’re completely DIYing it or working with a contractor for part, or all of it. The fact that some couples actually consider separation after undergoing a renovation proves just how stressful this can be.

In this post, we’re exploring the common frustrations that homeowners experience when starting a kitchen renovation, and how working with a professional IKEA designer like IKD can help relieve some of that stress and make renovations fun again!

What makes IKEA kitchen remodels so hard for homeowners?

There’s actually quite a few things during home renos–kitchen renos, especially– that can make things rough for homeowners.

Making decisions about everything

One of the biggest stressors for people taking on kitchen reno projects is the need to make executive decisions for literally everything; Project scope, budget, product and materials selection, functional and aesthetic choices… And for many homeowners, they’re making a decision about something they may not know a lot about.

What type of material is best for your kitchen? Open shelving or closed? And what size? Where do you want them? Accent lighting? Where and how much? Which color works best?

If you’ve never planned a kitchen remodel from scratch before, how are you supposed to know the best answer to all these questions? There’s a reason there are professionals who do this stuff for a living; it’s a lot.

Sometimes you’ve got to make a mess

Kitchens are often the center of a household. And when redoing yours, it means that your daily routine is messed up. Your cooking habits can be changed, your dishes in weird places for days (if not weeks) at a time. For DIYers, projects like this can take longer than you think making this mess last longer than you initially thought.

Choosing a contractor

Once you have your plans down, you may want to get a few different quotes from contractors before you choose one for your project. But how do you pick which one is best? What info should you give them to get a clear and trustworthy idea of how long a project will take, and what it will cost?

When entering a completely unknown world, and already facing a lot of questions you may not have the answers to, it’s not that easy to pick out “the best”. And if you choose wrong, then you have to live with the consequences. Literally. Because it’ll live forever in your kitchen.

It won’t take that long… will it?

Another major point of frustration for homeowners is how long something like a kitchen remodel can take. However long you think, it’s probably longer than that. Unrealistic expectations, unforeseen setbacks and expensive mishaps mean more budget spend, project delays, and an increased feeling of frustration.

But it is all worth it

Regardless of all of these challenges, most people do say that kitchen renovations are worth it. A 2025 study found that after a renovation is complete, they feel more comfortable (60%) and organized (38%) in their space. More than half said they’re happier from the renovation!

Why hire a professional IKEA kitchen design company?

Making all the decisions, navigating timelines, and finding and organizing with contractors is a full-time job for a reason. And working with a professional can take a lot of those stressors off your plate, making renovations fun again!

Simplifying the Decision overload and “what’s the right choice?”

Working with an IKEA kitchen design company can reduce decision overload by bringing structure to the process. Instead of falling down the rabbit hole of questions where every choice affects three other choices, they help establish a cohesive vision early (function + style + constraints), then narrow options down to a manageable number of curated choices that actually fit your space, goals, and budget.

Unclear scope and “are we even planning the right remodel?”

We know that cabinet projects can quietly expand: “Let’s just replace cabinets” turns into lighting, panels, trim details, a new sink, a new layout, or extra prep work you didn’t anticipate. IKD design professionals know what to look for, can help prioritize scope and functionality upfront so the plan reflects real life without totally blowing up your timeline and budget. We’ll help you decide what needs to work better, what matters most, what can wait, and what’s worth spending on.

Choosing a contractor and soliciting bids without guesswork

Get help producing the documentation that makes bids clearer and more trustworthy: a defined design plan, detailed specifications, and enough detail that contractors can quote based on the same scope. That makes it easier to compare bids apples-to-apples, spot missing line items before you sign anything, and avoid the “it wasn’t included” surprises that create friction later.

Timelines, budgets, and realistic expectations

Working with professionals can help you have a more realistic roadmap and reduce unnecessary friction. The goal isn’t perfection or that everything goes to plan; it’s setting realistic expectations early so you aren’t constantly surprised, and then being there to support if things do change. That’s what keeps the project feeling manageable, even when setbacks happen.

Communication breakdown and the friction that follows

IKD helps reduce that friction by creating a clear source of truth for the plan and the products. This way, you, your partner, and your contractor are all on the same page, working towards the same goal. Less ambiguity means fewer assumptions, which reduces those “I thought you meant…” moments. That clarity also makes it easier to handle unexpected issues because decisions can be made against the plan, not in a panic.

Ease your renovation with IKD

If you’re excited about a new kitchen, but stressed about the process of getting one, we can help. IKD helps homeowners with the full scope of projects, including designing a cohesive plan, quote and purchase the right products, and set up installation in a way that’s clearer, smoother, and easier to manage.

If you’re interested in learning more about our service, make sure to check out our IKEA Kitchen Design Services.