Ikea Kitchen Cabinets
If you furnished your dorm room with IKEA stuff back in the day, you already know that cool style and bargain prices are big factors in the Swedish discount chain's popularity around the world. But if you're thinking of a kitchen remodel - surprise! You really might want to take your plans and your contractor to the nearest IKEA showroom; the company's clever product designers keep innovating, and a growing number of home-design pros are incorporating the results into even their prestigious projects.
Made to take advantage of every possible manufacturing efficiency, and originally aimed at the do-it-yourself crowd, IKEA cabinets - both built-in and freestanding - are, for the most part, made in various Third World countries, shipped and sold in flat boxes, and assembled on site. Materials run the full gamut from aluminum, glass, and plastic to particle board and wood; finishes, aside from the ubiquitous "foil" (essentially, a very thin coat of plastic bonded to the wood or particle board in lieu of paint), include various stain and paint options in addition to natural wood. While some lines feature low-cost material and somewhat flimsy construction, and are mostly aimed at the quick-fix-on-a-budget market, other offerings are notable both for their good looks and their durability. Some come with 10- or even 25-year warranties.
One thing to keep in mind with IKEA is that, since mass production is the name of the game, selection and options are much more restricted than with pricier lines: if the cabinet you like only comes in white melamine or antique black, you're not going to be able to get it in clear pine even if you're willing to pay extra. On the other hand, if you find a piece at IKEA that fits the bill, you'll probably be very pleased at the price (and perhaps use the savings to splurge elsewhere on the project!).
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