Kitchen Appliance Garage Ikea: A Step by Step Guide

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Bright and spacious minimalist kitchen featuring stainless steel appliances and a large central island.
Credit: pexels.com, Bright and spacious minimalist kitchen featuring stainless steel appliances and a large central island.

Creating a kitchen appliance garage with IKEA products can be a fantastic way to maximize your kitchen's storage and style. IKEA offers a variety of solutions, such as the BILLY bookcase, which can be repurposed as an appliance garage.

To start, you'll need to choose the right IKEA products for your appliance garage. Consider the size and shape of your appliances, as well as the available space in your kitchen. The BILLY bookcase is a popular choice because it's affordable and customizable.

Measure your appliances carefully to ensure a smooth installation process. For example, the average dishwasher is around 24 inches wide, so you'll want to choose an appliance garage that can accommodate this size.

If this caught your attention, see: Ikea Bathroom Products

Ikea Kitchen Garage Options

The Ikea Flip up Hinge door is a great option for a shorter height cabinet at eye-level or higher. It's perfect for a pantry cabinet where you may want an elevated location for hidden small appliances.

Credit: youtube.com, IKEA Appliance Garage Hacks You Won't Believe

You should carefully check the specifications to ensure it works with your configuration. It's essential to consider the height of your cabinet to avoid blocking your view of what's inside.

Appliance garages go great in kitchen corners. This is especially true for custom IKEA appliance garages, like the one we designed for an Italian-style kitchen remodel.

The Ikea Flip up Hinge door can block your view if you have a cabinet at a lower level. You don't want to be ducking below the door to see what's in your appliance garage.

DIY and Customization

You can build your own kitchen appliance garage using IKEA or Semihandmade cabinets or doors, and it's surprisingly easy if you're handy or have a contractor who's willing to take on the project.

Special hinges from Accuride are required for this design, and they come in various sizes to fit different door and cabinet depths. The correct hinge size depends on the size of your doors and the depth of the cabinet.

Credit: youtube.com, DIY Appliance Garage to Hide the Microwave or Small Appliances!

It's essential to consider the depth of your cabinet when choosing door size, as doors wider than 18 inches may poke out too far from the cabinet when recessed. If you have a standard 24-inch depth kitchen cabinet, stick to doors 18 inches or smaller.

A simple IKEA appliance garage can be created by cutting a pantry cabinet to 58.5 inches in height, covering exposed cabinet sides, and mounting the cabinet frame on top of the counter.

DIY Your Dream

You can build your own ultimate dream kitchen with a built-in bar or appliance garage using Ikea or Semihandmade cabinets or doors.

It's a great DIY project, and the instructions are actually quite simple. You can even combine Ikea and Semihandmade for a unique look.

To get started, you'll need to cut your pantry cabinet down to a 58.5” height. This is a crucial step, as it sets the foundation for your entire project.

Kitchen interior with fenced window near table with electric appliances and bottle of water with tap in house
Credit: pexels.com, Kitchen interior with fenced window near table with electric appliances and bottle of water with tap in house

You'll also need to cut a piece of panel to match your doors, which will be 8.5” by 24”. This middle section is what will give your appliance garage its finished look.

Mount the cabinet frame on top of the counter and assemble the shelves and drawers however you want them. This is where you can get creative and make your project truly unique.

If you're not handy, don't worry – your contractor can still do it for you. In fact, many contractors have successfully completed this project using the provided design.

However, if you do decide to tackle this project yourself, be sure to get the right hinges. Accuride is a great brand to consider, and they offer a range of sizes to suit your needs.

Remember, the size of your doors and the depth of your cabinet will dictate which hinges you'll need. So, be sure to check the dimensions carefully before making your final decision.

Here's a quick rundown of the hinge sizes to keep in mind:

If you have a deeper cabinet, you can choose a wider door, but be sure to check the specs on Accuride's website to ensure it fits with your design.

How to Make

Credit: youtube.com, How to make Customized Mugs | DIY MUGS (easy)

To make a customized planter, you'll need to gather materials like terracotta pots, paint, and a sealant.

Start by cleaning the pot thoroughly with soap and water to remove any dirt or debris.

Choose a design or pattern to paint on the pot, and use acrylic paint to bring it to life.

For a more durable finish, apply a clear sealant to protect the paint from fading or chipping.

If you're making a customized cutting board, consider using a wood conditioner to enhance the wood's natural color and texture.

To assemble the cutting board, use a strong adhesive like epoxy to attach the wooden slats together.

When working with wood, it's essential to sand the surface to smooth out any rough edges or splinters.

For a customized wall art piece, use a stencil or a projector to transfer a design onto the wall.

Placement and Design

Appliance garages are a great way to add some extra storage and organization to your kitchen.

Credit: youtube.com, Appliance Placement For Functional Kitchen Design

They go great in kitchen corners, as seen in a custom IKEA appliance garage designed for an Italian-style kitchen remodel.

Consider placing an appliance garage near a frequently used appliance, like the toaster or blender, to keep them within easy reach.

Appliance garages can also be a stylish addition to your kitchen, adding a touch of modernity and sleekness to your design.

Accordion Hinge Doors

Accordion hinge doors are a great option for an appliance garage, especially if you want a traditional look. They provide a sleek and modern appearance when closed and can be easily opened to reveal the stored appliances.

For this option, you can use standard Ikea hinges on the open side and a simple piano hinge to connect the folding doors. This makes the installation process relatively easy.

The accordion doors work well when there is a wall next to the cabinet, as they fold up without interfering with anything. This keeps the surrounding area clear and accessible.

Curious to learn more? Check out: When Did Microwave Ovens Become Popular

Contemporary room featuring sleek wooden doors and warm tones in a minimalist style.
Credit: pexels.com, Contemporary room featuring sleek wooden doors and warm tones in a minimalist style.

To keep the backside of the doors looking custom, you can order the hinge side as a standard 18″ w X 40″ high door. This detail is completely unnecessary if you're buying your doors directly from Ikea.

The accordion doors also allow for easier access to the stored appliances, as they don't require as much space to open. This makes them a great option for smaller areas.

Ikea Flip-Up Hinge Door

The Ikea Flip-up Hinge door is a great option for a shorter height cabinet at eye-level or higher, but it may block your view if it's too low.

You can use this hinge for a pantry cabinet where you want an elevated location for hidden small appliances that don't need to be at counter height.

It's essential to check the specifications to ensure it works with your configuration, as I haven't personally used it in a design to determine how well it would work.

Credit: youtube.com, Lift up cabinet door #hinge #hinges #hardware #kitchencabinet #kitchencabinets #cabinetmaker

This hinge would work well in a pantry cabinet, allowing you to store small appliances at a convenient height.

However, if you need to store appliances at a lower height, you may need to consider a different hinge option.

The flip-up hinge can be a great space-saving solution for smaller areas, but it's not suitable for every cabinet configuration.

Slide in Doors

Slide in doors can be a great option for an appliance garage, but they require careful planning.

You'll need to consider the clearance, or gap, between the cabinet frame and the surrounding panels.

This clearance is essential for the doors to slide in smoothly.

In our instance, the base cabinet drawer set was 36″ wide, and we stacked another 36″ wide cabinet on top.

To create the necessary clearances, our appliance garage would need to be a 30″ wide Ikea Sektion cabinet.

This would give us 3″ of gap on either side for the doors to slide into.

However, losing those 6″ made the inside opening smaller than we wanted.

A 30″ wide cabinet might be fine in most applications, but it's essential to consider the space you need inside your appliance garage.

Sitting on Counter

Credit: youtube.com, KITCHEN DESIGN MEASUREMENTS | Ideal Clearances for Kitchen Counters, Islands, Cabinets, & More

You can mount an appliance garage on a countertop, but keep in mind that the doors will need to recess further into the space to avoid extending beyond the countertop edge.

This requires making a space past the drywall to accommodate the doors, which can be a bit tricky.

For a 15” deep appliance garage, you'll lose a few inches on each side for the door pockets, so choose a cabinet with enough width to accommodate this.

For a 36” wide appliance garage, you'll have about 30” of actual storage space.

This is a great option if you want to maximize your countertop space and keep your appliances out of the way.

For your interest: Kitchen Countertop

Choosing a Kitchen Location for Your IKEA Hack

Appliance garages can be a great fit for kitchen corners.

Kitchen corners are a great place to put an appliance garage because they're often underutilized and can provide a convenient storage solution.

Consider the Italian-style kitchen remodel we designed, where an appliance garage was a great addition.

Credit: youtube.com, IKEA KITCHEN PLANNER | Things To Look Out For When Designing Your Kitchen

You can also consider the style of your kitchen when choosing a location for your IKEA hack, as it can help you decide where it will fit in best.

A kitchen corner is a good place to put an appliance garage because it's out of the way but still easily accessible.

Garage Space and Cost

The total cost of this IKEA appliance garage can vary depending on the doors you choose. If you opt for the more expensive RINGHULT doors, expect to pay a bit more.

The cost can be significantly lower if you choose different doors, making this hack a budget-friendly option.

To give you a better idea, the example uses a piece of panel that matches the doors, cut to 8.5” by 24.”

Curious to learn more? Check out: Kitchen Quartz Countertops Cost

What is a Garage Space?

A garage space is a special cabinet that houses small appliances like toasters, blenders, and food processors.

It's ideal for small kitchens or for reducing clutter.

You can even get a custom IKEA appliance garage in your kitchen design, which is included in one of the customer's kitchen designs at least once a week.

This type of garage space is a handy solution for organizing your kitchen and keeping it clutter-free.

Total Cost

A sleek and modern kitchen featuring stainless steel appliances and white cabinetry.
Credit: pexels.com, A sleek and modern kitchen featuring stainless steel appliances and white cabinetry.

The total cost of a garage space project can vary greatly depending on your choices.

Using the more expensive RINGHULT doors in an example project, the total cost could be significant.

You can save money by choosing different doors for your garage space.

A specific example of a cost-effective garage space project is the IKEA appliance garage hack.

To make this hack, you'll need to cut a piece of panel to 8.5” by 24” to fit the middle section.

Mounting a cabinet frame on top of the counter and assembling shelves and drawers is also required.

Covering exposed cabinet sides with paneling can complete the look and add a finishing touch.

On a similar theme: Countertops Kitchen Cost

IKEA Cabinet Options

IKEA offers a range of cabinet options for a kitchen appliance garage, each with its own unique features and benefits.

The SEKTION wall cabinet with horizontal doors is a well-suited pick, available in various widths and heights, with a 15-inch depth to seamlessly match other SEKTION cabinets.

Credit: youtube.com, IKEA Appliance Garage Hacks You Won't Believe

Mounting this cabinet at around shoulder level provides ultimate convenience, allowing you to reach directly into it to use appliances. A suspension rail is required for mounting, and it can also be placed on top of a counter for a more traditional appliance garage effect.

The SEKTION/MAXIMERA high cabinet with four drawers is another great option, costing $443 from IKEA. This unit has two upper drawers that sit around counter-height, making it easy to access appliances and accessories.

This cabinet is particularly well-suited for storing appliances like toasters, electric kettles, and blenders, and also has two deeper bottom drawers for larger appliances. The KNOXHULT base cabinet with drawers is a more budget-friendly option, costing $150 from IKEA and featuring two large drawers for appliances like slow cookers and stand mixers.

Wall Cabinet with Horizontal Doors

The SEKTION wall cabinet with horizontal doors is a great option for a wall-mounted appliance garage. It's available in various widths and heights, so you can choose the right size for your kitchen and appliance storage needs.

Broaden your view: Bed in a Wall Ikea

Credit: youtube.com, Upper Cabinet Doors using Ikea Utrusta Horizontal Cabinet Door Hinges

Each cabinet comes with a 15-inch depth to match other SEKTION cabinets seamlessly. You can choose from a single-cubby cabinet for $140 or a double-cubby version for $325, both from IKEA.

Mounting the cabinet at around shoulder level provides ultimate convenience, allowing you to reach directly into it to use appliances. A suspension rail (sold separately by IKEA) is required for mounting.

If hanging the unit on a wall isn't an option, it can also be placed on top of a counter, creating a true appliance garage effect. However, be aware that you'll probably need to invest in some after-market hinges to ensure the door doesn't block your view of the interior when open.

Section/Maximera High Cabinet

The SEKTION/MAXIMERA high cabinet with four drawers is a great option for those who prefer appliance storage units with drawers instead of shelves. It's available from IKEA for $443.

This cabinet is particularly well-suited for storing small appliances like toasters and electric kettles. You can place the appliance in a drawer and plug it in inside the cabinet.

Credit: youtube.com, How to Install the IKEA Kitchen High Pantry Cabinet BY YOURSELF

The two upper drawers are counter-height and easy to reach, making it convenient to grab what you need. They're also short but have a bit of extra space above them to accommodate taller appliances.

The two deeper bottom drawers are excellent for storing larger appliances like rice cookers and InstaPots that you need to pull out to use on the countertop. You can choose the best size option for your kitchen layout.

This cabinet is available in a few sizes, so you can select the one that fits your space perfectly.

Curious to learn more? Check out: How Much Space Do You Have to Work With?

Knockhult Base Cabinet

The KNOXHULT base cabinet with drawers is a simple yet smart-looking option for appliance storage. It costs $150 from IKEA and is perfect for those who want standalone drawers to clear off cluttered countertops.

This cabinet has two large drawers that are ideal for appliances like slow cookers, toasters, stand mixers, or blenders. The top drawer is shallow and best-suited for small accessories.

Credit: youtube.com, IKEA Kitchen Cabinets | Best IKEA Cabinet Installation Is…

You can install an outlet inside the cabinet to make it even more convenient. The upper drawers aren't too much lower than counter height, so you won't have to bend double to use an appliance inside.

The bottom drawer is low to the ground, making it best suited for lesser-used appliances. It's a great option for those who want a simple and affordable appliance garage.

This cabinet is a base cabinet, so the top of the unit is a countertop. Its shorter stature means you'll need to bend down to access the lower drawers.

Design Inspiration and Tips

Appliance garages are a great way to make up for lost storage space while clearing countertop clutter, especially in small urban kitchens.

Upper cabinets can make kitchens feel like kitchens, but they can also take up valuable space.

Integrated, open-shelving look is becoming more popular, but it can leave you with nowhere to hide small appliances.

A unique perspective: Small Kitchen Light Fixtures

Credit: youtube.com, Stay Organized With an IKEA KITCHEN

You can use an appliance garage to store small appliances like blenders, coffee makers, microwaves, and toasters.

The appliance garages of the '80s and '90s often featured slated pull-down doors, but today's designs have modernized with matching cabinet fronts and custom paneling.

This style of storage is perfect for small kitchens that lack a proper pantry, and it's also great for creating a stylish camouflage effect.

By using matching cabinet fronts and custom paneling, you can create a seamless look that blends in with the rest of your kitchen.

Ella Paolini

Writer

Ella Paolini is a seasoned writer and blogger with a passion for sharing her expertise on various topics, from lifestyle to travel. With over five years of experience in the industry, she has honed her writing skills and developed a unique voice that resonates with readers. As an avid traveler, Ella has explored many parts of the world, immersing herself in new cultures and experiences.

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