By Richard,

January 28, 2022

By Richard |

January 28, 2022

turquoise blue ikea kitchen
turquoise blue ikea kitchen

An IKD customer shares how color personalizes her upcoming IKEA kitchen

This article is based on and inspired by an actual IKD design. We created a customer narrative to make it fun and easier to understand.

Designing an IKEA kitchen that meets a customer’s design preferences is one thing. Making sure that it’s ready for the completion of a new home build requires a whole other level of teamwork. That’s why IKD customer Lauren recently agreed to share some of her experiences as she’s working with IKD to create a modern kitchen with custom touches as part of her new construction home.

She explains: “We started designing our house about a year ago and we started on the kitchen around last August. We were drawn to the cost efficiency of IKEA cabinets, but we were also drawn to the ability to customize our design. Specifically, I had this [aqua] color in mind for our kitchen cabinets, and it was really important to me to be able to match it!”

After reviewing examples of modern kitchen designs online, Lauren and her spouse found IKD and have worked with IKD designer Florence since. Together, they’ve established a design wish list of “must-haves” for the layout, including the cabinet color and plenty of functionality — all set against a clean, modern feel. “We chose IKD because we knew the basic design theme that we wanted, but we needed help picking the specific cabinets to fit the space,” she says.

large turquoise kitchen

So with a budget of approximately $10,000, the couple has selected IKEA SEKTION cabinets framework with Semihandmade (SHM) DIY slab doors painted in Benjamin Moore Oasis Blue. These will be complemented by a variety of unique materials, including Viatera Lumina quartz countertops; a backsplash featuring white subway tile with gray grout, and a custom/DIY hexagon flooring design that will fade out into the rest of the floors in adjacent rooms. (Remember: The New York Times has recommended us as a design resource for customers considering custom doors for their cabinets.) “It’s been fun picking out every single detail, from the tiles to the hardware to the actual dimensions of the kitchen,” she notes. In fact, she’s still deciding on some products, such as the appliance brands for the range; hood; dishwasher; and refrigerator, but the home – and kitchen — are expected to be completed by the end of the year.


Why Design
with IKD?

Why Design with IKD?


Simple enough, right? Well, Lauren notes that she and her spouse surprised themselves by changing their kitchen layout halfway through the project. Luckily, she adds, IKD’s design process anticipates the need for customers to modify their design. “After the first rendering, we realized we should change direction, and it was a great choice! Florence was very helpful with that process,” she says.

As the project moves along Lauren says she’s confident in the design direction of her IKEA kitchen. “One thing I’ve learned through this process is to not worry about what you think you’re ‘supposed’ to do in your kitchen in 2022. My advice is to do what makes you happy and what you’ll want to look at every day,” she concludes.

Let’s learn more about Lauren’s IKEA kitchen project!

blueprint kitchen with island

Cabinets of Color

Although her IKEA SEKTION cabinets and SHM door fronts will be installed by a general contractor and his team, Lauren said she’ll be painting them herself.

“We’re [planning on] Benjamin Moore Oasis Blue paint, which is a lovely shade of teal. I picked it because teal is my favorite color and I find it soothing to look at!” It’s worth noting that since Lauren’s kitchen is indeed part of a full-home construction, it gives her the freedom to seamlessly integrate the kitchen design with other rooms in the home as well. “We’re using a similar color for the shower surround in our master bath,” she says. “I also think the [Oasis Blue] will really pop against the more neutral tones we’re planning in the kitchen, including the brass drawer pulls; stainless steel appliances; white backsplash; and white/gray quartz countertops.”

Explaining her thought process on her cabinet color choice and design theme, she concludes: “We liked the quality of the ‘boxes’ relative to the price, and how easily available they are. We were drawn to modern designs with pops of color, whimsy and personality. We wanted nothing that took itself too seriously or looks too much like a showroom. But, at the same time we also wanted nothing over-the-top luxurious. We prefer a simple, high-quality functional kitchen design over one with bells and whistles.”

full render turquoise kitchen ikea

Putting the Fun in Function

Since functionality will be a key ingredient to this 9’x11’ space (her mother is a chef and this inspired her choices), Lauren actually modified the original layout to better fit her needs.

She explains: “Functionality was very important and we wanted to get as many cabinets in a relatively small space as possible. Our original design had one long island opposite the wall where the refrigerator and the stove are. We realized that layout was somewhat limiting and might get in the way of our living room furniture. The layout we ended up with (with the peninsula and the small island) felt like it maximized counter space and improved the overall flow into our great room.”

This was actually a very smart design decision, as the new configuration allows for extra counter space and additional storage options with IKEA MAXIMERA drawers — perfect for food prep and easy access to pots, pans and other cooking equipment. The new peninsula provides ample seating for guests when Lauren and her spouse are entertaining and the 24”(W)X36”(H) small island provides even more storage without cutting off the room. Plus, on the adjacent side, she opted for a second sink area, again featuring quartz countertops and more IKEA SEKTION base cabinets, as well as open shelving and additional SEKTION wall cabinets. And this will all be completed well under her original budget at $2,159 (not including installation costs)!

kitchen island with white wood stools

Floor It!

Another highly creative feature that Lauren envisioned is the custom/DIY hexagon flooring design that will fade out into the rest of the floors.
She explains: “The idea is the kitchen flooring will phase out into the rest of the flooring in the great room (which will be a concrete-look, large format tile), The colors will be black, white, and gray, maybe with some blue as well. That’s the part we’re still playing with at the moment.” And yet, as unique as this flooring treatment idea is, it actually will serve the purpose of integrating the kitchen and adjacent great room, while offering a subtle nod to the cool, aqua-based color scheme. And still — as other IKEA customers can likely relate — she wonders if she’s made all the right calls. “I hope my custom color comes out the way it exists in my mind!”

As you can see, there are some common design considerations that all IKEA customers need to consider. And while some decisions may be harder than others — even if it means modifying your layout like Lauren has — IKD’s design team will collaborate with you to create a truly unique, personalized kitchen.

Get a Professional IKEA Kitchen Design – All Online

Work with our certified kitchen designers to get a personalized kitchen designed around your needs and vision. If you’re interested in learning more about our service, make sure to check out our IKEA Kitchen Design Services.

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

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