Anonymous asked: Hi - I love your posts. I'm thinking of getting my own kitchen from ikea as well. I am curious - are you going to install your own wall cabinets, or have someone else do it? Did you use the installation service they have at the store? Also, where did you get that adorable water cooler in the corner of the photo?
Hi and thanks. I am not using Ikea wall cabinets, but rather having simple open shelves made by cabinet maker. I already had a huge antique built-in cabinet in that kitchen, so the only storage I want or need in the “business” section of the kitchen is shelving for the dishes and glasses I use every day.
But I have used Ikea wall cabinets and I did have them installed by a contractor. They are mounted the European way, meaning you mount a steel rod onto your wall, attaching it at the studs, and then you hang the cabinets from that rod. If you are confident enough to hang that rod so that it is secure and level, then you can DIY but you definitely need two people.
As for Ikea’s installation services, I have never used them. I know that they contract local people, and those people have to be certified in some way, but I don’t know if people are generally happy with them or not. I would check ikeafans for reviews and such.
The water cooler is from Target but I’m actually planning to get rid of it. It draws a lot of energy just to keep that water cold, I can hear the motor going on and off endlessly. For a while I just had it unplugged, but then I realized, why do I need this big ugly thing just to hold a bottle upside-down? So I’ll be switching to Britta.
