IKEA vs. Custom Kitchens: What’s Better for Your Vancouver Renovation?
Ready to rip out your outdated cabinets and replace them with something less... 2007?
Whether you're planning a full kitchen remodel in Vancouver or updating your cozy spot on Vancouver Island, you’ve probably asked the golden question:
IKEA kitchen or go custom?
Let’s dig into the real difference between a flat-pack fantasy and a fully custom dream - without the sugarcoating. Or the beige.
What’s the Real Cost of a Kitchen Remodel in Vancouver?
IKEA Kitchens in Vancouver:
Expect to spend $8,000–$15,000 on cabinets, hardware, and maybe an appliance or two. Installation? Extra. (Unless you bribe your cousin again.)
Custom Kitchens in Vancouver Island & City:
Buckle up: $25,000 to $75,000+. You're paying for design flexibility, local craftsmanship, and materials that don’t flake.
Winner: IKEA wins for budget-conscious renovators across Metro Vancouver. Custom wins if you're going for "magazine spread" vibes.
Photos Source: 1stdibs.com
Can You Get a Designer Look Without Custom Cabinets?
IKEA with Upgrades:
Yes! With custom cabinet fronts (like Kitch, Semihandmade, or Reform), an IKEA kitchen can look high-end on a beer budget. Add designer hardware and lighting—voilà.
Custom Kitchens in Vancouver:
Every inch is built for your space. It shows. No awkward gaps, no workarounds, and everything screams bespoke luxury.
Winner: Tie. IKEA can fake it, custom is it.
Can You DIY a Kitchen Renovation on Vancouver Island?
IKEA:
Modular, made for DIY, but not stress-free. It’s weekend warrior-friendly if you own tools, a level, and an emotional support playlist.
Custom:
Built and installed by pros. You won’t lift a finger (except to toast your new quartz countertops).
Winner: IKEA if you’re hands-on. Custom if you’d rather supervise with coffee in hand.
Photo Source: Bucksandspurs.se
What’s the Lifespan of IKEA vs. Custom Kitchens?
IKEA:
Melamine-covered MDF. Solid for the price, hinges by Blum (big deal). Expect 10–15 years of decent wear in a family kitchen.
Custom:
Hardwood, plywood boxes, and durable finishes. With proper care? 20–30+ years easy.
Winner: Custom. Built to last, not just impress.
Is IKEA or Custom Better for Small Vancouver Spaces?
IKEA:
Ideal for apartments and condos. Affordable, flexible, and easy to replace or reconfigure. Vancouver’s tight kitchen layouts love modular solutions.
Custom:
Perfect for heritage homes, awkward layouts, or if your kitchen is one weird angle after another. Custom = made to fit perfectly.
Winner: IKEA wins for small, modern spaces. Custom wins when your walls are as crooked as your old floor tiles.
Photo Source: Remodelista