Our Favorite International IKEA Designs: Italy

Reviewing some dynamic Italian IKEA designs, as selected by IKD designers.

There’s something about fashion-forward international design, and what better place to see that than with IKEA kitchen (and other room) designs from our friends in Italy.

That said, we at IKD have designed some recent Italian IKEA projects that really showcase the possibilities of IKEA cabinets. For instance, there’s the streamlined mix of IKEA AXSTAD cabinets in Matte White with oak wood countertops and a variety of IKEA appliances in the kitchen for IKD customer Lorenzo from Bologna, Italy; and an IKEA laundry room for IKD customer Dominique from Turin, Italy, which features IKEA’s KUNGSBACKA base and tall cabinets and White IKEA ASKERSUND wall cabinets for a striking look combined with plenty of storage options for a family of five.

More than anything, customers who’ve searched design Web sites like HOUZZ and Pinterest for some European design inspiration will appreciate finding out that you don’t have to sacrifice function for style when it comes to IKEA cabinet designs.

Let’s take a look!

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Italian IKEA Kitchen

For IKD customer Lorenzo from Bologna, Italy, his kitchen remodel needed to create a utilitarian space with plenty of natural style.

“Our IKEA kitchen was a remodel and we were okay with having the electrical sockets removed or moved; and the gas, water and drains moved to the sides. The window, which we perceived as an obstacle to the design, was only used for light and did not need to be fully opened,” he explains.

To that end, the uniquely-shaped open kitchen features IKEA’s METOD cabinetry framework (the European version of SEKTION) along with IKEA’s AXSTAD Matte White cabinets on the upper and base cabinets, running from one side of the IKEA MATALSKARE oven (including custom-sized doors and drawers installed by local carpenters and handymen), and continuing underneath the 22×20-5/8″ IKEA LÅNGUDDEN sink and around the IKEA SKINANDE dishwasher. This provides additional storage as well with large, internal drawers and a Lazy Susan carousel as well. Other IKEA AXSTAD and TUTEMO cabinets (for wine storage, etc.) are featured on the opposite side, along and above the stainless steel refrigerator, providing additional storage options. The IKEA cabinets are enhanced with IKEA ORRNAS horizontal pulls as well as solid wood top (oak) countertops, which create a warmth and depth for the space.

Lorenzo adds: “We also wanted to have a small peninsula near wall C in our design. This peninsula is used as a working area for cooking, such as food prep. Originally, we considered having appliances or the sink in the peninsula but it required a lot of work.” In fact, the peninsula now provides plenty of storage that Lorenzo needed as well, including space for pots and pans and cleaning supplies. IKEA TUTEMO open storage is featured on the end of the run as well while the base cabinets near the peninsula feature a pull-out for trash and recycling cans.

He concludes: “Our IKEA kitchen design really captured exactly what we wanted from the space. Stylistically it has the clean and sleek look we wanted, and it functions so well with plenty of storage and large drawers. It is really efficient and we love it!”

Italian IKEA Laundry Room

If you’re looking for a striking, yet affordable IKEA laundry room design that is equal parts style and storage, look no further than this Italian laundry room designed for IKD customer Dominique from Turin, Italy.

“It was very important that our laundry room include storage for shoes: since we are a family of five. We specifically wanted to have [an open storage shoe system] that allowed us to have a quick vision of all,” Dominique explains. “Moreover, I needed a space to organize my bags. There are not a lot, but I have never had the opportunity to see them all together.”

To accommodate her requests, IKD’s design team combined IKEA’s METOD cabinet framework with custom-cut Antracite IKEA KUNGSBACKA base and tall cabinets and White IKEA ASKERSUND wall cabinets, along with IKEA MAXIMERA drawers and IKEA HACKAS pulls and handles. This is specifically seen in the base cabinets around the IKEA HAVSEN apron front double bowl sink, providing storage options for seasonal clothes, cleaning supplies and folded laundry.

On the adjacent area from the sink is more storage with multi-leveled IKEA KUNGSBACKA and ASKERSUND cabinets offering a clear view of items (like the family’s shoes) while leaving space for a storage clotheshorse, ironing board and vacuum cleaner. Also featured in the laundry room is a corner cabinet with pull-out; internal drawers; a trash pull-out and a pull-out rack for cleaning supplies. On the opposite side around the washer and dryer is additional tall and base storage. And notably, all this was completed for 2,376 Euro ($2,753 USD)!

Another unique aspect of the design is the laundry drop system that was integrated into the existing layout. “The deposit door is located in the master bedroom on the main floor. We drop clothes into the laundry drop chute and then into the laundry room,” Dominique explains.
To that end, the laundry tube is incorporated into the multi-tiered, custom-cut frame of one of the KUNGSBACKA cabinets, providing a stylish, yet concealed, and very efficient component to the space.

“IKD did a great job incorporating the open storage we envisioned and adding such a stylish component with the KUNGSBACKA cabinets — especially accommodating the laundry tube! Our entire family loves the results and our IKEA laundry room is one of our favorite spaces in our home,” she concludes.

As you can see, adding international flair to your IKEA project design simply means combining style and practicality to maximum effect. We trust these two Italian IKEA projects will inspire your product choices for your own design. Remember, our team is here to assist you when you’re ready to begin!

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