Ready for some cabinet shopping?
From the start of this whole basement planning thing, we knew we wanted a wet bar. We also knew that we didn’t want to drop a ton of cash on cabinets BUT didn’t want cheapo looking/feeling cabinets either. We’re picky that way đŸ™‚
Let me remind you what space we’re talking about here…
We did a little research (i.e. got quotes from 4-5 places) on cabinets for this space. A lot of places were coming in around $7k for the cabinets. That figure was not really in our price range so we kept looking. In reading around on different blogs, I found a lot of people used Ikea for cabinets.
Off to Ikea we went…where we found we would save at least $2k on the cabinets. Well, we just kind of sat on that info for a while because we weren’t really ready to order cabinets that would be arrive in a week or so (versus the 8-12 week timeline of the other stores).
Then, Ikea did us a solid and started their kitchen sale right when we needed it. The sale would give us an additional 20% off of our purchase. So, we went back ready to purchase.
I’ll get to our actual selections in another post but first some Ikea kitchen shopping tips.
1) Use their online kitchen planner BEFORE going to the store. It is a great tool that lets you design the kitchen in 3D, print your designs and generate a supply list. We didn’t do this and so we spent a lot of time in the store that could have been avoided. Here’s our plan from their online planning tool:
2) Have accurate measurements when planning. I’m sure this sounds obvious but, since we were initially doing research prior to the space being framed, our measurements changed slightly over time.
3) Set a budget. Just like any store, there is a HUGE range of options that fit into just about any price range. Just know what your price range is!
4) When you are ready to order, block off a significant amount of time for the in-store ordering portion. It may seem like, after doing step 1, you can just walk into the store with your supply list and order. It really isn’t that simple. You will want to sit down with one of their kitchen planners and have that person look over your design and list to make sure you didn’t forget anything. Even with a prior trip + an online design, we were still there for 3+ hours actually placing our order.
5) Shop in late July/early August. This is when they do their annual kitchen sale…although, I have heard it happens more than once a year. It helped us save an additional 20% on our kitchen stuff.
6) Buy it all at once. Buying everything in one big order will really help ensure that you get everything you need. Plus, if you are getting it delivered, you get the most benefit of that $99 delivery fee.
7) Bring your calendar. When you order, you’ll also go to the delivery desk to schedule delivery (unless you are awesomesauce and get to take them home that day) so be sure you have a date in mind. Oh, and the delivery window is typically 10am-10pm so you’ll need an entire day!
8) Bring a folder or some sort of paper holder. Ordering the kitchen stuff comes with a lot of paperwork. For us, we ordered cabinets, appliances and a countertop. Plus, there were 2 items not in stock. Each one of these comes with a separate piece of paper and/or receipt. They give you a little folder to keep it in but I would 100% suggest some sort of zippered document holder to keep those receipts all together.
9) Inventory! When your stuff arrives, be sure to match it up to your receipt to ensure that you received everything you were supposed to. You have limited time to go back for corrections so this is really important.
10) Read the directions. The cabinets come flat packed (like just about everything from Ikea!) so be sure to read the directions before getting started.
© 2012 Just Us Four. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
I adore IKEA!! we were going to buy their cabinets also, but found green demolitions in NJ, what an excellent place!
I can’t wait to try out your tips when we are ready. the nearesy IKEA is in Chicago for us. A five hour trip. I am toally going to download the 3d creator and dream a little today though đŸ™‚
Hey fellow Fall Crawl blogger! Thanks for stopping by my blog. I am currently following you. Stop by and follow back whenever you get a chance. : )
great tips. IKEA can be overwhelming and frustrating. Your tips can really be applied to any project because they save you more $$ when you plan with a purpose! came over from 733 link up and can’t wait to see more of your kitchen
These are great insider–been there done that tips. Thank you because I do plan on using Ikea (love ikea) for my kitchen redo…and number five especially is helpful to know!
Saying Hi from Mom on A Time Out Hop…I host Photo Friday Link Party, I’d love to have you link up this or any other original photo from your blog. Happy Hopping!
Great tips! We don’t have Ikea in Maine, but I did order on Black Friday and got free shipping. That saved us a bunch for countertops.
Here’s our ‘new’ kitchen. http://bornambitous-bornimaginative.blogspot.com/2012/01/kitchen-remodel.html
Great tips! We don’t have Ikea in Maine, but I did order on Black Friday and got free shipping. That saved us a bunch for countertops.
Here’s our ‘new’ kitchen. http://bornambitous-bornimaginative.blogspot.com/2012/01/kitchen-remodel.html
What a great post…great tips…I def. going to use them next time we go….xo
Shannah,
Another awesome informative post! I love IKEA but haven’t been there in forever. We will be making a trip soon for furniture for my sons room and these tips will work for that too. Thanks for sharing.
Michelle
Here are a few helpful tips we learned from doing our kitchen. First,the prices AND selection of cabinets (sizes and features) differs from the catalog, the planning tool, and from what is actually available in the store. All three show different prices and features. The planning tool prices are lower than what is in the catalog and the store (and is therefore usually wrong). Don’t go by the tool prices. Also, if you want a cabinet in a certain size (and color) but the tool and catalog says they don’t make it in that trim, ask at the store. Despite what the catalog says, almost every IKEA cabinet type is available in every door trim type. IKEA has items that you can only order in the store (like solid pieces to back bar or island). Finally, check out the IKEA fans website. Great ideas and you can learn from other people’s kitchen mishaps and successes. Good luck!
Thanks for linking up to our Pretty Things Party. Hope to see you back next week!
Super great tips! I wish I had an IKEA close to me. The closest is in cincinnati and that’s about 110 miles away!
What awesome tips! I never knew they had a kitchen planner. THat’s so cool!
Awesome tips! I can’t wait to see what you chose! Thanks so much for sharing at Mom On Timeout!
Having just used IKEA kitchen cabinets to redo our laundry room you are spot on with your tips! Luckily we used the design tools at home and saved our design so we just logged in at the store and the employee in the kitchen area was able to help us in a good amount of time (since we had a 2 & 4 year old with us, this was imperative!) I will say that building and installing the cabinets was hard, physical work but totally worth it! Can’t wait to see what you picked!
awesome tips! We are hoping to redo our kitchen next year and IKEA is our budget range đŸ™‚ thanks for stopping by Pin Inspiration THursday!
Blogger wouldn’t let me add it all in one go, hence the two comments. (I found you via a 733blog linky party.)
From someone who works at Ikea, THANK YOU!
Hints from an Ikea cashier:
1.) Wear comfy shoes, bring water and a small snack as you’ll be in store for quite a while. It is just common sense and we staff appreciate a well prepared customer GREATLY.
2.) For the love of all things flatpack, ***DON’T*** do your kitchen ordering on a weekend! Take a day off work, leave the kids with a sitter, and come in as soon as the store opens. Staff have generally had their coffee and are in a much more helpful mood/state of mind at opening than later on in the day. The crowds aren’t as big and you’ll actually be able to think.
3.) If something isn’t in stock, do not have a tantrum in the kitchen department. This will not net you good service, nor make the item come in faster. It happens. Just get the paper stating the item name, article number and ETA, and the store’s phone number. Call a couple days before the ETA and double check that the item is on its way to being in stock. If it is in stock before the ETA, just drop everything and hall bum in to buy it! All the more reason to get in early.
4.) Definitely bring in your own folder for all the paperwork. Just do it.
5.) When it comes to payment, PRETTY PLEASE! Please double check that your local Ikea accepts your preferred credit card or check. Have a back up just incase. If you’re planning on paying by check, PLEASE inform your bank that you’ll be writing a very high check amount so your check isn’t declined at the registers. Also, be sure to bring several forms of ID as the cashiers may need to have access in order to get you paid and out of the building. Here in Australia, we need a drivers license plus a major credit card to verify ID on check payments.
4.) If you’re buying things for a business and you’re using a business credit card or checkbook, your name MUST be on the card, or on the check. We cannot accept credit cards or checks where you are not named on them. This is for your safety as well as ours. If in doubt, ask to speak to the cashier’s line manager before you do anything else. It really throws a wrench in things when people come in and haven’t done their homework when it comes to their payment options.
As a cashier, I can get fired for accepting fraudulent payments. I **WILL*** refuse your payment if the necessary details have not been provided. It is not worth losing my job.
*continued*
5.) If you’re planning on buying several carts worth of goods, bring someone to help you push them around the store. The way Ikea is structured, we do not provide staff for the sole purpose of helping you push carts around the warehouse. That’s why our warehouse is called Self Serve. Please bring someone to help you as this leaves us to help other customers in genuine need of assistance.
6.) Above all else, read the price tags. Write down all the information. Better yet, take pictures of the price tags and the display items that you want to get. Just telling us that it is a bed and its brown doesn’t really help us out that much.
7.) When you bring items back for a refund, keep the packaging, keep your receipt and understand how the refund process works. AS-IS items are not refundable. You bought it, its yours. We don’t have a way to reintroduce that item into our store to resell it, hence why you got it for such a bargain in the first place! Try selling it on ebay, craigslist or to a friend. Please have your receipt as that’s the only way to prove how much you’ve paid for your items. Returns done without a receipt rarely amount to the full sticker price you paid. A good practice is to photocopy your receipt and staple the original to the copy. Receipts fade after a while and we may not be able to look up the original in our systems so a photocopy really helps.
8.) Make sure you read the assembly instructions from cover to cover BEFORE you assemble your items. You’ll be more famililar with the assembly process and not as flustered. When assembling kitchens, assemble the “carcasses” first and get them attached to the wall/each other before you worry about assembling doors, drawers, countertops etc. It is much easier to DIY assembly once you’ve done up a couple base cabinets and figured out your own method. A couple extra hands and a bottle of wine doesn’t hurt either! đŸ˜‰
Its not hard to shop at Ikea provided you’ve done your homework, left your kids with a sitter, have come in at opening and have your payment with proper ID sorted. Hiccups will happen so buy what is in stock and get the out of stock bits and pieces when they come in. There are other people out there buying kitchens aside from you, and our stores only hold so much stock at one time. If something hasn’t happened how you thought it should, or you’ve received service that is sub-par, please please please fill out a comment card and speak to customer service. Anything in writing will be acted upon as we have a record of it. I hope this helps!