Budget-friendly and endlessly customisable, it’s no surprise that IKEA kitchens are a popular choice with homeowners all over the world. But in the last few years, the affordable Swedish homeware giant has seriously upped its style stakes. From classic country and Scandi-minimalist to dramatic all-black looks, plus an array of sustainable design options, we've rounded up our favourite kitchens you'd never guess were from IKEA. Click or scroll on to discover how to get the look at home...
Channel traditional charm in the heart of your home with a sumptuous dark green colour scheme and traditional brass hardware. IKEA's bevelled BODBYN doors (£52 / $70) offer a nostalgic nod to Victoriana, while the gallery wall and pegboard inject plenty of character into this quirky space. We especially love the ledge above the splashback – ideal for displaying a collection of house plants or keeping kitchen essentials close to hand.
Pair contemporary grey hues with a classic Shaker-style kitchen for the perfect balance between traditional and modern tastes. This period building with its exposed beams and whitewashed stone walls features a sensitively updated culinary space, thanks to IKEA's LERHYTTAN doors (£69 / $93). Glass-fronted cabinetry amplifies the room's natural light and metro tiles add a refreshing, modern twist.
The kitchen is one of the most used rooms in the house, so the key to a successful space is pairing on-trend designs with hardwearing materials. One scheme that ticks all the boxes is this modern metal marvel featuring VÅRSTA stainless steel drawers (£22 / $30). Industrial-style units with wooden countertops will weather the test of time, but it's not all function over form: patterned statement floor tiles and two-tone metro wall tiles soften the austere, minimal look and add a colourful focal point.
Who says minimalism has to be black and white? With its crisp, clean lines and pleasing symmetry, this sage green design is a great way to inject colour into a small, streamlined kitchen. BODARP (£43 / $58) doors with simple circular handles make a subtle statement, while the lightly grained marble-effect splashback adds texture without distracting from the pared-back finish. A Scandi-style pine dining set and oversized rattan lamp shade complete the look.
For those who aren't shy about experimenting with deep, bold hues and eye-catching finishes, these KALLARP high-gloss drawer fronts in red-brown (£28 / $38) make a bold first impression. Ingeniously put to work in this galley kitchen, open shelving balances out the block of colour – and there's even space for an under-counter breakfast bar thanks to the customisable modular system.
Many of us are looking for greener ways to live and these days, there's a whole host of eco-conscious home design choices you can make. Take this minimalist kitchen for instance – these FRÖJERED drawers (£20 / $27) are made from bamboo, a durable natural material that can be grown quickly and sustainably. The light wood, paired with hard-wearing black countertops and tactile accessories, creates a streamlined yet homely feel.
As the old adage goes, less is more, and that's certainly the case with this sleek light grey kitchen featuring RINGHULT high-gloss doors (£31 / $42). Thin metal bar handles and a sleek metal splashback offer a sophisticated, streamlined finish in the monochrome space. Set against grey plaster-effect walls, the overall look is effortlessly cool and contemporary.
Country charm meets modern convenience in this beautiful homely kitchen. Beige panelled cabinetry adds a rustic feel, while STENSUND lattice glass doors (£35 / $47) impart plenty of refined, traditional charm. A fresh take on a farmhouse kitchen, we love the combination of industrial-style wall tiles and delicate botanical wallpaper. Bold black accessories, light fixtures and dining chairs complete the look with a modern contrast.
It looks like dark grey is here to stay and there's no better pairing for this versatile hue than a matte finish, as shown by these stylish VOXTORP kitchen doors (£55 / $74). You can even use them to add storage cupboards to a bespoke breakfast island – this nifty space-saving design also features open shelving in contrasting warm wood, creating the perfect nook for storing cooking books.
Evoke the peace and tranquility of the coast with a two-tone blue and white kitchen. Contrasting AXSTAD cabinets (£43 / $58) in a matte finish offer a modern update to the classic Shaker style. While chrome handles and an industrial-style pendant light bring the rush of the ocean closer to home, handy high-tech additions like the back-lit glass-fronted units make a feature of your favourite crockery and glasses.
With its timeless walnut-effect cabinetry and bang up-to-date grey hexagon wall tiles, this kitchen straddles the line between modern and classic perfectly. Despite the relatively small size, this stylish kitchen packs a punch with plenty of inbuilt storage, plus the VOXTORP doors (£28 / $37 each) keep things looking smooth thanks to their integrated handles. Our verdict? The perfect spot for cooking and socialising all at once.
City family with a penchant for country décor? Look no further than this rustic, yet smart, country kitchen. Here the bevelled BODBYN doors (£52 / $70 each) work with warm woods and panelled walls to create a kitchen worthy of an authentic country cottage. Use textured rugs and pretty potted flowers to add even more charm. Plus, the floor to almost-ceiling inbuilt storage is a must for any foodie family.
Black isn't an obvious choice for kitchen cabinets, but in this spacious, airy room it works brilliantly to create a smart and uniform look. The striking shade also cleverly highlights the traditional craftsmanship style of the LERHYTTAN doors (£44 / $59 each). Meanwhile, the glass display upper units soften the aesthetic, as does the grey herringbone floor and window greenery.
Want to squeeze a timeless kitchen into a small space? Look no further! This compact kitchen is big on classic style. The soft grey BODBYN drawer fronts (£30 / $40 each) set the tone with their traditional bevelled panelling. Combined with marble-effect panelling, stripped pine flooring and gorgeous gold fittings, the end result is timeless.
Another dark and dramatic kitchen, this one takes things further with matching dark walls and dining table. Again, the huge windows help stop this room feeling oppressive and the multiple pendant lights will do the same at night. The modern KUNGSBACKA drawer fronts (£30 / $40 each) work seamlessly in this space and are softened by the walnut worktop and wooden flooring. Plus, the open shelving, rail of S-hooks, double oven and ample workspace make this kitchen fit for a chef!
If you ever thought monochrome was boring, think again. This small monochrome space has bags of character thanks to the on-trend herringbone tile layout and mismatched lower and upper cabinets. On top, the high gloss RINGHULT doors (£31 / $42 each) bounce plenty of light around and on the bottom, slick KUNGSBACKA doors (£43 / $58 each) add lashings of drama.
Cooking would never be stressful in this oasis of calm! Here, lower white VEDDINGE doors (£11 / $15 each) are warmed up with leather straps. The upper ash-effect ASKERSUND doors (£11 / $15 each) offer plenty of storage so clutter is never an issue. We certainly wouldn't complain about spending an afternoon baking here.
It's the kitchen of your millennial dreams! White and blush pink is complemented beautifully with the dual metallics of gold and silver and the result is anything but chaotic. The super glossy RINGHULT drawer fronts (£22 / $30 each) bounce plentiful light around and the lack of upper cabinets add to the feeling of spaciousness. Plus, who needs them when you have racks, rungs and shelving aplenty?
Now this is a proper 'heart of the home' family kitchen. It's got acres of space to cook together, room for doing homework and plenty of storage to boot. There's even room for the pets! The solid wood LERHYTTAN doors (£49 / $66 each) prove the bones of this kitchen and add real warmth and traditional character. The look is complemented with display cabinetry, tactile jute rugs and rustic stripped pine flooring.
Natural ash wood cabinets give this bright kitchen a natural, earthy feel that we can't get enough of. A dark floor and black detailing by way of the handles, lighting and tap help the TORHAMN drawer fronts (£40 / $54 each) stand out in all the right ways. The trio of glass display units allow for some personalisation and we can't get enough of the Moroccan-inspired tiles.
For a dramatic dark kitchen that's as cool as it is serious, check out this space. The drama of the matte black KUNGSBACKA drawer fronts (£28 / $38 each) is intensified thanks to the black splashback, taps, handles and integrated appliances. The space is kept from looking too harsh by adding in plenty of on-display storage as well as lots of potted houseplants. White walls, exposed brickwork and grey wooden flooring balance out the light and dark perfectly.
White units paired with a wooden countertop is a popular look, and it's not hard to see why. Here the wooden worktop looks timeless and the high-gloss RINGHULT doors (£28 / $38 each) give the kitchen a modern update. The wooden floors echo the classic style of the countertop, while the warm red-hued rug stops it feeling stark. We also love how accessible everything is here – a chef's delight!
Short on space? Super tight budget? Check out this ingenious solution. Here a kitchen island is, in fact, the main hub of the kitchen; while the light ash-effect ASKERSUND doors (£13 / $18 each) keep things visually light. On the other side an upright shelving system – more commonly used in an office – is utilised as a very effective storage area. Plastic bins underneath offer an affordable storage solution that really makes the most of the space.
Light blonde wood cabinets maximise the airy vibe of this high ceiling kitchen. Plus, each of the TORHAMN drawer fronts (£40 / $54 each) is unique and boasts varying grain patterns lending the room an authentic, homely air. We love the addition of the desk – who wouldn't want to work in a kitchen as wonderful as this? (Not to mention it’s conveniently close to the coffee).
This kitchen is as sleek as it is practical. The high-gloss VOXTORP doors (£65 / $87 each) bounce plenty of light around the room and the walnut countertop pairs beautifully with the cream cabinets, making the whole kitchen look super luxe. The integrated appliances and seamless handles offer a slick finish to this contemporary kitchen.
For a kitchen full of bold and moody atmosphere, opt for black and don't go half-in. Here the matte black KUNGSBACKA doors (£31 / $42 each) match the black dining table, kitchen walls and appliances to a stunning effect. The owners have livened up the look with a sprinkling of metallic by way of the open shelving and some greenery, but other than that it's dark drama all the way.
According to the experts, exposed wood is making a comeback in our culinary spaces. But it needn't cost the earth to replicate this beautiful kitchen trend – IKEA's dark brown SINARP doors (£67 / $91) feature a rustic grained finish that celebrates the textures of the natural world. Take the trend up a notch by adding in a row of graphic accent cabinets above your countertops. These HASSLARP herringbone wood veneer doors (£70 / $95) create a stunning focal point with serious wow-factor.
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