Kitchen Shack or IKEA: which is better for you?

1. Why People compare Kitchen Shack and IKEA

If you’re currently planning a new kitchen renovation in Melbourne, you may be comparing Kitchen Shack and IKEA. Both offer budget friendly options to custom made kitchens, but they do vary in cabinetry, design support, installation, and overall customer experience.

The following is a break down of the similarities and differences so you can decide what suits you best.

2. Table Comparison

The following table compares a Kitchen Shack Shaker Style kitchen to a Metod IKEA Kitchen Range.

 

	IKEA Metod System	Kitchen Shack Shaker Kitchen
Product	Flat Pack cabinetry manufactured globally.	Pre-assembled cabinetry locally made in Melbourne.
Installation	Offers an installation referral service through Hipages.	Offers Recommended Installers.
Design/Sizes	Modular sizing in a wide range including extensive accessories.	Standard sizing to keep costs low.
Design Service	Free in-store design providing own measurements or 3 hour in-home design ($169). Limited design support in-store only.	Free in-store design providing own measurements. Designer support from start to finish of the renovation.
Price	Average kitchen costs from $5,000 to $7,000.	Average kitchen costs $6,000 to $8,000.
Hardware	High quality Blum hinges and drawer system.	High quality Hettich hinges and drawer system.
Warranty	25 year structural guarantee on core cabinetry components, others limited to 10 Year Guarantee.	10 Year Guarantee on Kitchen Shack products and up to 15 years on some benchtops.
Best Suited	Experienced DIY or tradesperson.	All Residential homeowners.

3. Cost Comparison

When you first look at the entry price for IKEA it looks appealing compared to custom cabinetmakers or pre-assembled suppliers.

However, comparing only the upfront price can lead to budget blowouts. So understanding the differences between entry price, real total cost and hidden costs is key.

• The Entry Price is the cost for the flat pack cabinetry. It covers the METOD cabinet boxes, fronts, handles and hinges – this is supply only costing around $3,500 – $7,000. With Kitchen Shack the cabinetry is pre-assembled, includes handles, hinges, benchtops and delivery.
• The Real Total Cost is what you will pay for a final completed kitchen. This would include the cost of assembling components, benchtops, delivery fees, professional installation, trades, tiling and the total cost would then average up to $9,500 to $15,000 for an IKEA Method compared to $10,000 to $12,000 with Kitchen Shack.
  IKEA may look cheaper upfront but the total average cost for a kitchen renovation needs to be factored in.

4. Pre-Assembled vs Flat Pack

One key comparative difference is between flat pack vs assembled.

Flat pack components come delivered in individual pieces that need to be assembled on site. This means screwing together components for each cabinetry which can cause a lot of frustration, not to mention additional cost if something goes wrong.

Kitchen Shack’s pre-assembled on the other hand is delivered to your door already assembled so it just needs to fit into place, saving time and effort. It also means there is less chance of assembly issues and your kitchen will be completed in a quicker timeframe.

 

5. Design Process

The in-store design process using your own measurements is the same for both companies. The key differences are explained below.

 

IKEA

• Planning design tools online assist for ideas on layouts. This can be quite frustrating to use but helpful in the early planning stages.
  Designs can be conducted in three Melbourne showrooms free of charge and at cost for an in-home design appointment.
  As a modular system is used this can take quite a bit of time to configure and limited in the design layouts.

Kitchen Shack

• Designs can booked at one of the five Melbourne Showrooms.
• Working with an experienced designer you will see your design in 3D real life renders visualising exactly what the end result will look like.
• The wide range of cabinetry sizes work together to tailor a layout that will suit your needs.
• The additional support of your own personalised designer will guide you from initial design to final completed kitchen renovation. This support provides peace of mind throughout the renovation process.

 

6. Flexibility and Suitability

With the initial lower cost upfront it’s no surprises that budget kitchen buyers are often attracted to IKEA. Those who are confident in DIY and have many projects under their belt feel this system works.

The IKEA system is also great for simple design layouts with a basic type plan.

Kitchen Shack on the other hand is suited to tailoring a layout to get the most out of your space. The Designer guidance and support throughout your kitchen renovation offers peace of mind. It is a balance of price and quality.

 

7. Quality and Durability

When it comes to cabinet quality both IKEA and Kitchen Shack use MDF for the core construction of cabinet carcasses. With Kitchen Shack using reinforced melamine MDF for the backing to reduce cabinet weight while maintaining structural rigidity.

These carcasses are then protected by edging and Kitchen Shack adheres to Australian and New Zealand manufacturing standards for high quality.

The doors and drawer fronts include thermofoil, acrylic paint or wood veneers for IKEA and thermafoil, laminate for Kitchen Shack.
Kitchen Shack’s pre-assembled components ensure stringent testing at manufacturing to ensure high quality.

With IKEA’s flat pack cabinetry being assembled on site may mean the quality and longevity of products reduces over time due to different workmanship.

While IKEA guarantee is 25 years it is on core products only. Kitchen Shack’s Warranty is 10 Years on all Kitchen Shack products.

 

8. Which One is Right for You?

So if you are still wondering which is right for you

Choose IKEA if:
✔ Lower upfront price
✔ Experienced DIY’er or Trade like a carpenter
✔ Simple layout

Choose Kitchen Shack if:
✔ Want assembled cabinets
✔ Want design support and guidance
✔ Want easier process.

 

If you want to get started on your kitchen renovation then book your free in-store design at one of our five Melbourne Kitchen Showrooms.

 

Planning a kitchen renovation near one of our showrooms?
We regularly help homeowners across Melbourne, including:

• Forest Hill
• Preston
• Moorabbin
• Maribyrnong
• Rowville