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Ikea kitchens review
We put Ikea kitchens through our rigorous lab tests and surveyed real Ikea kitchen owners to assess the quality of their kitchens.
Ikea has three main kitchen ranges: Metod, Enhet and Knoxhult. They are all flatpack kitchens.
According to Ikea, Metod is the most customisable, Enhet is the most flexible (it can be assembled and disassembled easily), and Knoxhult is the most affordable.
We assessed all three of Ikea's kitchens.
See how Ikea compares to other leading brands in our analysis of the best and worst kitchen brands
Ikea kitchens overall scores
Our overall scores combine expert lab assessment results and customer survey data from real owners.
Log in now or join Which? to reveal the results for Ikea.
| Unit | Overall score | Lab assessment score | Customer score | Customer Service | How well the kitchen lasted | View retailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enhet | M | M | M | M | M | Ikea Enhet kitchen |
| Metod | M | M | M | M | M | Ikea Metod kitchen |
| Knoxhult | M | M | M | M | M | Ikea Knoxhult kitchen |
Table notes: The overall score is based on the lab assessment of the units (60% weighting) and feedback from our customer survey (40% weighting), which incorporates the customer score, plus ratings for the level of customer service and how well the kitchen lasted. The customer survey was conducted online in February 2023 among 4,378 Which? members who have bought a new kitchen in the past 10 years. Ikea sample size: 186.
We tested 19 kitchen ranges from various brands, giving them an overall score based on their performance in the lab and customer ratings.
The best kitchen we assessed achieved an overall score of 81%. Our five best kitchen suppliers all scored over 75%.
At the bottom end of the table, our lowest-scoring kitchen earned 59%. In fact, eight kitchens from four brands all got scores of less than 70%.
Two of Ikea's kitchens scored identically, while the other performed better in our lab assessment.
For advice on creating a stylish, functional kitchen, read our guide to kitchen planning
Ikea kitchens lab assessment scores
Our expert lab tests are specially designed to test how kitchens will stand up to everyday use.
Log in now or join Which? to reveal the results.
| Unit | Lab assessment score | Quality of units | Loading shelves | Drawers and runners | Hinges |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enhet | |||||
| Knoxhult | |||||
| Metod |
Table notes: Lab assessment scores are calculated based on a kitchen’s performance in 19 tests across four key areas - quality of units, loading shelves, drawers and runners and hinges. Ratings are combined to create an overall assessment score.
Two of Ikea's units lost marks on overall build quality.
Find out how we test kitchens in our lab
Ikea kitchens customer survey score
We spoke to 186 Which? members with an Ikea kitchen to find out how real owners rate their kitchens.
Log in now or join Which? to find out what Ikea customers told us.
| Customer survey category | Score and ratings |
|---|---|
| Customer score | |
| Customer service | |
| Quality of cupboards, doors, drawers and worktops | |
| Quality of finish | |
| How well cupboards, doors, drawers and worktops lasted | |
| Value for money |
Table notes: Based on the responses of 186 Ikea customers in an online survey of 4,378 Which? members conducted in January and February 2023. Customer score is a combined score based on customer ratings of satisfaction with their kitchen and likelihood of recommending to a friend.
Our top overall scorer achieved an outstanding score of 86% in our customer survey.
At the other end of the table, some of the brands we assessed scored less than 65% overall - including some two-star ratings.
We also used our reader survey to find the 7 things people regret most about their kitchen design
How to buy an Ikea kitchen
Ikea is one of a minority of kitchen companies that allow you to buy their units straight from their website.
All you need to is select your kitchen range, finish, and the units that you need at ikea.com
Then you need to organise your installation – or do it yourself.
Alternatively, you can work with Ikea's design services. They can help you decide on your installation as well.
Ikea kitchen design services
Ikea offers a free kitchen-planning service in store. During your two-hour appointment, you'll work with an Ikea kitchen specialist to create your 'dream kitchen', according to Ikea.
Alternatively, you can have your planning appointment over video call. The planner will share their screen so you can see your kitchen design take shape.
You'll need to measure your space before your appointment but you can order your kitchen as part of your appointment.
Ikea also offers a free online kitchen planner.
Ikea kitchen installation
Fitting an Ikea kitchen yourself
Ikea's Enhet and Metod units come flat-packed; you can assemble and install these kitchens yourself.
Knoxhult kitchens come fully assembled and you can install them yourself.
Our labs tried assembling and installing these kitchens to assess the ease of the process.
Log in now or join Which? to reveal the results.
Does Ikea fit kitchens?
Not itself, no – but it does offer an optional fitting service at extra cost. It's not carried out by Ikea installers, but is organised by Ikea.
That said, Ikea stresses that its kitchens are designed to be installed by you. It claims its new Enhet range fits together without the need for tools – you simply click the parts into place.
But if you'd prefer a professional to fit your kitchen, use Which? Trusted Traders to find a kitchen installer near you.
Ikea kitchen installation cost
To find out how much the average kitchen installation costs in 2024, we consulted the Building Cost Information Service (BCIS) database.
They estimate labour rates based on the current Building and Allied Trades Joint Industrial Council wage agreement and a model of the average kitchen.
They told us that the total cost of labour should be 20-30% of your total spend. Fitting a bespoke kitchen costs 20-35% more than fitting a standard kitchen.
Log in now to or join Which? find out how much you can expect to spend on labour when renovating your kitchen
House type (floor size) | Number of units | Standard kitchen | Bespoke kitchen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terraced (8sqm) | 8 | ||
| Semi-detached (15sqm) | 12 | ||
| Detached (24sqm) | 16 |
Table notes: Prices includes the cost of stripping your old kitchen, fitting your cabinets and finishing the kitchen. Prices also include VAT. Data copyright RICS 2023, reproduced with permission. Data is correct as of December 2023.
We recommend that you always get at least three quotes from different traders before you start any job, and get a fixed price contract if possible (this means the prices can not go up expect in pre-agreed circumstances).
Which? members can see a full breakdown of how much a new kitchen costs in 2024, including for labour, kitchen islands and worktops.
See our guide to how to work with your trader to find out more money-saving tips
Ikea kitchen styles
Ikea has three main kitchen ranges: Metod, Enhet and Knoxhult.
Ikea describes the Metod range as 'the system that has endless possibilities'. It comes in 23 colours (including wood effects), in modern, traditional and shaker styles, and in a variety of finishes.
Ikea describes the Enhet range as 'the system that has more flexible solutions' - it is designed to be disassembled and reassembled if you move home. It comes in modern styles (four colours) or shaker styles (two colours).
Finally, Ikea describes the Knoxhult as 'perfect system for a great price'. It is a white slab kitchen with pre-attached oak-effect work tops. It comes in pre-configured units to make it easy to design and install.
Cheapest Ikea kitchen
The Knoxhult is the cheapest Ikea kitchen.
Bear in mind that it is not the most flexible option, but if you are looking for a small, white kitchen then it could suit your needs.
Ikea kitchen unit sizes
Ikea kitchens come in standard unit sizes, with 50cm and 60cm widths.
You can also purchase pre-configured designs for its Enhet and Knoxhult ranges, which makes the designing process much easier.
Ikea kitchen guarantees
Ikea offers different guarantees, depending on the range.
Metod has a 25-year guarantee that covers defects in the material and workmanship of the kitchen system.
For the Enhet kitchen system, there's a 10-year guarantee, whereas appliances have a five-year guarantee (except Lagan and Tillreda, which are two years).
There is no extended guarantee for the Knoxhult kitchen system – it comes with a standard one-year guarantee.
To find out more, or to buy an Ikea kitchen, visit Ikea's website
This article uses insights from the Which? Connect panel, collected from research activities with our members. Find out how to get involved