You Can DIY This Luxe Kitchen Feature Using Just IKEA Cabinets
One thing that makes a high-end kitchen look, well, high-end? Keeping all the ugly stuff stored away! That’s the beauty of appliance garages, which keep small countertop appliances hidden behind closed doors when they’re not in use.
You’d probably assume that a luxe feature like this would have a matching price tag, but you can actually get the look with IKEA (with really chic results!). Case in point: the kitchen makeover completed by Jan Odesanya, founder and principal designer at Mondän & Co. Interiors, for her own home.
“My goal was to create a full breakfast hub, not just a coffee corner: a place where mornings could happen effortlessly,” says Odesanya. “We were renovating right before Christmas, so custom cabinetry wasn’t an option with our timeline.”
With that tight timeline in mind, Odesanya turned to IKEA to see if she could build a solution. As other professionals and DIYers know, this big-box store is ripe for hacks, but doesn’t have a ready-made solution for appliance garages. What it does have, though, is a cabinet line that’s perfect for hacking into an appliance garage.
“The SEKTION system offered the structure and modularity I needed, and with a bit of creative problem-solving, I knew I could make it look completely custom,” Odesanya says. Here’s how you can follow Odesanya’s lead and DIY and appliance garage out of IKEA kitchen cabinets.
Choose Doors That Work Horizontally
Odesanya worked with a contractor during her kitchen renovation, and to design the breakfast hub, they paired the SEKTION system with BODBYN doors. The classic paneled style looks just as good when displayed horizontally as it does when displayed vertically.
Build the Garage into a Cabinet Tower
The appliance garages are built into kitchen cabinet towers so they’re fully integrated into the kitchen design, making the whole assembly look like high-end custom cabinetry.
“Each tower has three sections: a glass-front cabinet at the top, and two independent lift-up doors stacked below,” she says. “That gives me four appliance garages in total, with two per side.”
Use a Lift-up Hinge
A traditional hinge would cause cabinet doors to bang shut, but IKEA makes a cabinet hinge especially for horizontal doors (the UTRUSTA). That’s what Odesanya used for her appliance garages.
Note Where Outlets Need to Be
To make sure that your appliance garage is as efficient as possible, Odesanya suggests cutting for electrical outlets ahead of installation. Otherwise, the delayed cuts could look messy. “Inside each bay, my contractor added electrical outlets, so the toaster, kettle, and other small appliances can stay plugged in and hidden away. It’s the best of both worlds: accessible yet invisible,” she says.
Create a Seamless Look
As soon as the towers are in place, Odesanya says that you should be especially meticulous. She wouldn’t rush attaching the doors, since you’ll want them to be totally aligned for a professional look. Once installed, think about making everything look seamless by using caulk and trim to make the cabinets look like they’re all one unit.
Add Personalized Flourishes
As part of the final finishing touches, Odesanya added interior cabinet lights and brass hardware purchased from Amazon. “That small detail that completely changes the feel,” she says. “The handles act like jewelry against the off-white doors, instantly giving the setup a designer finish.”
In all, this breakfast nook project featuring a DIY appliance garage took two days to complete. “The counters stay clear, everything is within reach, and it looks beautiful whether the doors are open or closed,” Odesanya says. “I use it several times a day.”