Tips on buying an Ikea kitchen

[Vivacia]

I mean, actually purchasing it. Is it best to order online or go in to the store, do the pick yourself and then take it all 'round to the delivery counter? I can see pros and cons both ways.

That's not how it works instore. You take your plan in and a kitchen planner loads it onto the system and checks it, and you pay. Then you either arrange a delivery date with them or pick the whole lot up from a collection point.

My big tip is to check the bargain corner first as I have saved a fortune on doors that way.

I ordered ours on line for delivery. Was easy & painless. I drew up the plans myself & made a list of all we needed.

Just a word of warning though on fitting- the base units don't have a recess at the back for any pipework that may be running along the walls. Apparently UK cupboards do- was the first kitchen we have replaced so I didn't know this. Have got a bit of cupboard back cut away as we couldn't afford to have some pipework moved or recessed into the wall.

Thank you for your replies, I couldn't find any detailed info on the website about the actual pick. I think we'll go in store.

Just to update in case anyone searches for this in the future.

We went in to the store and bought the kitchen. It was excellent customer service, but there was no advice or suggestions offered on my design.

We were able to agree on a Sunday delivery date, so no need to take time off work. (They picked most of our order, I think we collected the legs and handles).

I'm pretty sure they use CAD to design the new kitchen and then provide the units but the quality of an IKEA kitchen in my opinion is abysmal. You should try Kundi Kitchens, they are based in Yorkshire and only sell German made kitchens

But are they as cheap? I loved my Ikea kitchen, and it only cost £2500 because I fitted it myself. I will certainly be doing the same this time. And the adaptability is amazing, all the internal bits and pieces you can buy, you can change your mind and put a totally different innards into a cupboard, change them out for drawers with little extra outlay. My Adel kitchen lasted really nicely as well. Going for Abstrakt this time - I know it's not as beautiful as a german kitchen, but at least when my toddlers trash something, I'll be able to replace it relatively painlessly!

Ikea are introducing a new Kitchen cabinet range Metod, I think it is being introduced to the UK next year. It will replace Faktum. Metod has already replaced Faktum in Scandinavia, you can see it here on the Finnish website: www.ikea.com/fi/fi/catalog/categories/departments/kitchen/

Will it be reverse compatible? I've had a looksie and can't see many obvious differences - the doors look the same, and the layouts. the internal bits all look similar too, is it simply that they're going for a different construction?

Incidentally, they have some damn fine looking kitchen bits - would it be too extravagent to go to Finland to buy kitchen goods?

I read on the IKEA fans forum that it won't be back compatible but they will be stocking the old kitchen range for a further 2 years so people can buy spares etc.