Complete Kitchen DIY Remodel With Ikea Cabinets

[chipped11]

nice job, your kitchen looks great

[Mrsberg76]

Did you reinforce the sink cabinet before set the granite? I am very curious because I got the same cabinets with granite but now I am afraid of the weight of the granite.

[thedragonb]

@Mrsberg76 - I was concerned of this too! Ikea's plastic legs can hold 275 lbs. each. 1100 lbs total! A sink cabinet doesn't even have a full slab of granite on top with the sink cutout. Granite counters 3/4" (2CM) weighs about 12 lbs. sqft. or 1 3/16"(3CM) thick weighs about 18 lbs. sqft. Black granite is denser than light granite and weighs more, but you are safe! No reinforcing necessary. Google: "Granite too heavy for Ikea cabinets? - IKEA FANS" - That should reassure you!

[Mrsberg76]

@thedragonb Thanks! Now I feel better! By the way your kitchen look awesome in comparison with the one you had before. I also worked my kitchen on budget and I saved a lot of money and I am really happy with my results! A lot of (envious) people tried to put me down because of que quality.. I think is totally b***s**t. My old kitchen cabinets were bad quality not even close to the Ikea ones and they were looking great because of my "Good care"

[TomBruckner]

@thedragonb There is no such thing as black granite. The rock is called Gabbro. Granite is light (Quartz) with specks of grey/tan/pink (Feldspar) and black (Biotite among others)

[thedragonb]

@TomBruckner - Thanks for the 411. I learned that a while ago, actually, but good to share! Right. NO such thing as BLACK GRANITE, people! :)

[UnaBellaMami]

Is there a guestimate in what you spend on cabinets n lighting? Thinking of doing a project like that.

[thedragonb]

@UnaBellaMami: Roughly $3500 to $3700 for the iKea cabinets. The granite counter tops was $1800 to $2000 or so. Flooring was about $350. The lights were $10 each- $80 total. Sink, Faucet and Range Hood Fan on eBay, plus plumbing, wiring and supplies for about 600-$900. It was about a $5000-$7000 give or take. Still haven't found undercab lighting to install. I want to be more green and go with energy efficient LED. Looks so COLD to my eyes. Even the warm white colored lighting I've seen here.

[showerladdy]

Small space.......

[thedragonb]

@showerladdy - Very much so. 3 Family home built about 100 years ago in one of the oldest cities of America... Boston. The kitchen is a 12' x 12' space. Not very big at all. :) Many old houses around the city are quite small. I guess they just wasn't much demand for large spacious kitchens 100 years ago! ;) Hmm, just think of the heating bills alone?!! Haaha!

[ethanmalka]

Big improvement from the old kitchen but very poor design and installation not professionally done, Backsplash hight is to short wall cabinets too low faucet touch bottom of wall cabinets,appliances total not placed to code stainless hood with black appliances??? , near to no outlets dishwasher door bump to sink cabinet handles when open for sure, if open oven door you ass bump to cabinets behind.

[thedragonb]

@ethanmalka: Budget! Wall cabs & backsplash height are to code. Yes, choice of faucet too tall. That can be changed, not important right now. It works fine. Stainless hood with black appliances-budget. Appliances can be replaced later. Black range hoods are rare; none available with the fan power I require. I have 4 outlet sets on the walls, enough for my needs. As long as the cab door is closed, no bumping of dishwasher, trust me. I use it daily. I open oven from side. Don't be a dick.

[Mrsberg76]

@ethanmalka I would like to see your kitchen to see how it looks like? can you post some pictures? I am very curious and the way you are talking it seems like your kitchen is perfect and beautiful (which I doubt) or it is falling apart and you are a frustrated person