How much does an IKEA kitchen cost?

IKEA, the Swedish purveyor of sleek and contemporary home solutions, has been elevating kitchens for years, but at what price? This in-depth guide will reveal the mystery behind the price tags and explore the factors contributing to the overall flat-pack kitchen cost. For a flawless kitchen remodel or installation, it will also share tips on how to pick an IKEA installer.

What makes IKEA kitchens special?

Sometimes called flat-pack kitchens, IKEA kitchens are off-the-shelf, modular, or ready-to-assemble furniture systems. It means that all kitchen components, from cabinetry to hardware such as custom doors, arrive at your doorstep unassembled in flat, compact packages. These boxes contain all the necessary parts, hardware, and instructions to assemble the IKEA kitchen.

Although it took a while, this concept has become popular even among kitchen design experts, especially IKEA, for many reasons:

1. Affordability. This brand is so low-cost it is often more pocket-friendly than a Bunnings flat-pack kitchen. For instance, IKEA kitchen cabinets, such as Metod and Knoxhult, cost only $260. Because the pieces are laid flat, they are cheaper to ship and more compact to store.
   
   

2. Sustainability. As more people value sustainability, whether buying online or in-store, investing in IKEA kitchens is now wiser. Planning to be a circular business by 2030, the Swedish furniture manufacturer focuses on eliminating waste and reusing or recycling its materials.
   
   

3. Customisation. Do you want custom kitchen benchtops or a more elegant drawer front? This brand lets you play around with its growing design options, from colours to sizes and materials, whether you are working on a full-fledged IKEA kitchen remodel or starting from scratch with a new kitchen.
   
   

4. Durability. Contrary to popular belief, medium-density fiberboard (MDF) is not the only material IKEA uses. It also incorporates wood, composite, and natural fibres that are glued, pressed, rolled together, or layered to make them strong. Because of these innovations, kitchen cabinets can already last for 10 to 20 years. They also come with a 25-year warranty.
   
   

Overall, IKEA kitchens are durable, affordable, sustainable, and easy to customise and fit into your kitchen layout and aesthetics. And because the store sells parts separately, they make great DIY projects.

However, if you lack construction know-how, do not have the right tools, and cannot find the time, consider hiring professionals to handle the kitchen installation.

IKEA kitchen prices

How much is an IKEA kitchen? Here are our estimates:

What factors affect IKEA kitchen installation costs? 

Labour

One of the primary factors influencing IKEA kitchen remodel costs is labour, which also depends on several factors:

1. Payment terms. Usually, you pay by the hour. However, you can consider per project, if you are renovating other parts of the house besides the kitchen, or a fixed rate if the to-do list is long. Expect to spend at least a thousand dollars on putting up or modifying IKEA cabinets, adding accessories, etc.
   
   

2. Project duration. A professional installer might ask less if you are using IKEA products because they are more convenient to install. Assembly instructions are already part of the package. They might spend more time reinforcing shelves, countertops, or cabinet fronts, for example, for extra durability or altering their sizes and shapes to fit the kitchen’s layout.
   
   

3. Skill set. If you are thinking of a full-blown IKEA kitchen remodel, you will need more than an expert to install a flat-pack kitchen cabinet. You should look for other specific technical skills, such as electrical work knowledge for safely setting up appliances or plumbing. Usually, electricians charge $90 an hour.
   
   

4. Location. The flat-pack kitchen cost is often higher in urban cities, such as Sydney, Melbourne, and Victoria. In these places, you might spend around $5,000 for a small kitchen of less than 6 square metres.
   
   

Kitchen layout and size

Kitchen layout and size matter when calculating the total cost of remodelling or installation, regardless of whether you have custom-built furniture or prefer an IKEA kitchen. As expected, the bigger the space, the more expensive it gets. After all, you will likely need more kitchen cabinets, cupboards, drawers, and other fixtures. Other costs include flooring, wall designs and paint, lighting, and appliances.

And when you have all these to assemble, you will require people to work on your flat-pack kitchen, more so if you have a tight deadline or desire a custom kitchen. The IKEA kitchen installation cost can also increase if the layout is complex or challenging. Think about an existing kitchen with trapezoid flooring, different levels that make many appliances inaccessible, and tight bare corners.

Customisation

The average cost of IKEA kitchen cabinets largely depends on the level of personalisation you want, and that can be both good and bad news.

Designing flat-pack kitchens according to your style could mean fitting their aesthetics to the rest of your home, creating a more seamless look. Upgrading the parts also feels quick and easy. For example, you can exchange ceramic IKEA kitchen countertops with marble or quartz or colours for the cabinet fronts.

On the other hand, complex personalisation increases the installation or renovation of a flat-pack kitchen. This is because:

• You might need installers with extra skills, such as plumbing or designing.

• Ensuring that every kitchen part looks cohesive takes time.

• It affects delivery time if you want IKEA to customise shapes and sizes. This can affect the cost of labour.

How to reduce IKEA kitchen renovation costs

The average cost of an IKEA kitchen in Australia can be thousands of dollars, particularly if you like extensive customisation. Even if money is not an issue for you, you might still wonder if you have options to save money. The answer is yes. Here are eight tips to follow:

1. Before you start, create a detailed plan for your renovation and set a realistic budget. Get accurate measurements of the space, including where to put the appliances, to avoid going back and forth to the store.
   
   

2. Use online kitchen planning tools that help you design your layout and choose the right cabinets and accessories.
   
   

3. If possible, go for an open-concept kitchen design. This can save money on walls, doors, and other structural elements while creating a more spacious and modern feel.
   
   

4. Get creative with repurposing IKEA materials or furniture that you already have.
   
   

5. Check online marketplaces, thrift stores, or community forums for secondhand IKEA kitchen components. You may find pre-owned cabinets, benchtops, or even appliances in good condition at a fraction of the original price.
   
   

6. Opt for laminate for benchtops. They are cheap but can mimic the appearance of more expensive materials, such as granite or quartz.
   
   

7. Consider incorporating open shelving. Open shelves are generally less expensive than cabinets because you do not need many accessories for a custom kitchen.
   
   

8. Mix high-end and IKEA products. For example, you might invest in a luxurious faucet, lighting fixtures, or premium hardware while sticking to IKEA cabinets.

Achieve a quality IKEA kitchen with Airtasker

It may sound counterproductive, but you can actually reduce the IKEA kitchen renovation cost with professional installation. Here are the best reasons why:

• Many struggle to follow technical instructions because they can easily feel overwhelmed.
  
  

• Some people lack accountability when doing DIY projects. They can delay completing them for weeks or months or, worse, cannot finish them at all.
  
  

• Some places look for a licence before undertaking the project.
  
  

• Even IKEA kitchens demand high-quality work, which you can get from expert installers.
  
  

Airtasker helps you find local contractors specialising in flat-pack kitchens, such as IKEA, in fewer than five steps:

1. Sign up for a free account.
   
   

2. Post a job description. Mention your budget, kitchen size or layout, preferred materials and accessories, or project type (whether renovation or first-time installation).
   
   

3. Wait for proposals and quotes from Taskers, or use the Search function to view Taskers near you.
   
   

IKEA products do not break the bank; so should your kitchen remodelling or installation. Use the kitchen tips we shared to spend less and hire a professional from Airtasker for a hassle-free project. After all, you deserve quality work.