What to Anticipate from IKEA’s Kitchen Planning Service

(And why prospects select IKD’s designs)

Final April, we wrote an article about IKEA’s in-home kitchen planning service utilizing data collected by an knowledgeable shopper. Nevertheless, since we printed that article, IKEA has completed away with the in-home session. Now you can have an IKEA planner create your kitchen design in-store or on-line.

They’ve made the method simpler on themselves, however have they made it higher or extra handy for his or her prospects? How do IKD’s kitchen planning service stack up towards IKEA planners?

IKEA presents free design companies.

That is IKEA’s most important asset when contemplating the corporate’s planning companies. You will get an internet or in-store design session without spending a dime. The ultimate plan features a design that reveals elevation, a buying/value record, and a rendering by way of the on-line IKEA kitchen planner, which may be saved to your account.
You possibly can’t beat free! However you additionally get what you pay for.

IKEA planners will not be designers.

IKD designers present every part IKEA house planners do, solely higher. We use skilled kitchen design software program (referred to as 2020), somewhat than the IKEA on-line planner. We additionally anticipate and embody revisions in our base value.

View a pattern design package deal from our designers:

Observe that IKEA kitchen planners by no means name themselves designers. That’s as a result of they aren’t. The IKEA kitchen planning companies are IKEA associates who obtain further coaching on utilizing the web software and implementing fundamental design expertise, like spacing, the triangle rule, and so forth. If there’s a design complication, like a chimney, recess, or any quirk you would possibly discover in an older house, IKEA planners could wrestle to create a viable answer. A educated designer wouldn’t.

By calling themselves “planners” somewhat than “designers,” IKEA is taking a number of the duty for defective designs off their shoulders. Whereas there have been many happy IKEA prospects (primarily those that simply wish to double-check their very own design), some IKEA planner tales haven’t ended so properly.

One Houzz consumer mentioned: “The Ikea one who helped me made just a few errors that I needed to catch. She and I, each, didn’t catch an enormous downside with the handles I selected and the truth that some cupboards can’t be opened, totally, as a result of the handles hit the wall.”

One other commented: “She offered me cupboards that slot in EXACTLY to the measurements their man made when he got here out to measure. No filler – which she ought to have calculated. All my finish cupboards, prime & backside, hit the partitions and don’t open utterly.”

We should always word that some IKEA shops make use of senior planners, who’re extra expert, however they’re much tougher to trace down for an appointment.

IKEA planners received’t maintain your hand.

As we talked about, the IKEA planners are ideally suited for many who design utilizing the IKEA on-line planning software and wish somebody extra conversant in the method to verify their work. If you happen to’re on the lookout for steering and recent concepts, you’ll need an precise, educated kitchen designer.

In relation to the well-known IKEA cupboard hacks, for example, the associates are solely allowed to recommend pre-approved IKEA hacks—even when there’s a method which may work higher to your wants. Measuring is usually a problem, as properly, as a result of IKEA doesn’t stroll you thru the method. You possibly can pay $79 to have an IKEA contractor measure your house or comply with the web directions (and hope you get it proper).

IKEA has an appointment restrict of two hours. When one in all our secret buyers contacted IKEA to ask what would occur if somebody wanted greater than two hours, the affiliate mentioned that shouldn’t be obligatory. Clients are anticipated to stroll by way of the shop, do analysis, and have an thought of what they need earlier than moving into the assembly. With a educated kitchen designer, you possibly can present them inspiration photos, describe what you’re hoping to attain with the brand new design, and allow them to work their magic.

If you happen to do want greater than two hours or have follow-up questions, you possibly can all the time schedule one other appointment, however there isn’t a assure you’ll find yourself with the identical IKEA planner.

IKD will stroll you thru the method and ensure you have each single element it is advisable to set up the brand new kitchen and what it is advisable to buy to your new kitchen—all the way down to the hinges. To see a pattern design package deal, click on right here.

Briefly, IKEA’s planning service is free, however you may be doing a variety of homework—and legwork! It’s a must to resolve how a lot worth you place in your time.

IKEA planners work for IKEA.

The most important downside with IKEA’s kitchen planning service is that IKEA planners don’t give you the results you want. They’re salesmen, attempting to persuade you that they’ve the perfect merchandise and your finest curiosity in thoughts. However do they?

Skilled designers that make the most of IKEA merchandise give you the results you want, and if they’ll’t discover the proper product to your design by way of IKEA, they received’t hesitate to look elsewhere. IKD mixes IKEA cupboards with different distributors like Rev-a-Shelf and Semihandmade on a regular basis as a result of they’ve totally different choices which can be usually higher high quality. IKEA received’t let you know about these.

Is the IKEA kitchen planning service price it?

It looks as if an odd query to ask when the service is free—however your time and peace of thoughts are price one thing.

As soon as upon a time, IKEA would come to your own home for an inexpensive charge, measure, plan, and set up the kitchen. Now, IKEA is not one-stop looking for kitchen design. It’s a must to measure your rooms or make an appointment to have the house measured. If you happen to use their measuring service, it’s a must to schedule it a few week earlier than you meet with the IKEA planner, so that they have the data. It’s a must to hope two hours is sufficient to create the kitchen of your goals, then buy groceries and discover an installer.

In case you have a background in design or really feel very keen about DIY initiatives, this may very well be excellent for you.

For the remainder of us who need a painless, stress-free course of that leads to a good looking kitchen, the worth of an expert designer is plain.
IKD is greater than an information entry service.

Skilled kitchen designers think about the entire house. They account for each nook, clearance, and equipment. They take heed to their prospects, devise options, and assist them perceive the method.

Designers like IKD work to maintain their prospects completely happy. IKEA planners have restricted expertise and work to maintain company completely happy.