I dream of one day designing my own house…from the ground up.  I have so many ideas in my head, but time and resources get in the way.  Whether you’re a DIY home designer or prefer to leave it up to the pros, IKEA offers stylish, affordable solutions for your design challenges.

I recently gleaned some kitchen design tips from IKEA Kitchen Expert Mary Ann Barroso and IKEA Design Spokesperson Janice Simonsen.

Get Inspired!

• Browse magazines and catalogs for ideas
• Make a “Dream Kitchen Binder” with pages that inspire you
• Look for themes (colors, styles, layouts) to nail down your dream kitchen

Where do I go to be inspired?  Apartment Therapy and Dwell

I also like that I can walk through IKEA’s stores and see complete room layouts.

Once you’ve decided on your dream kitchen, be sure to Measure Precisely!

IKEA offers a fabulously resourceful downloadable planner which enables you to:

Drag and drop your choice of furniture into the room and fit them to the exact measurements of your home.

Rearrange and try different styles until you’re satisfied with the result.

View it in 3-D and print with all the measurements, just like an architect.

See how much it will cost and get the list of all products.

Assess Your Needs!

The layout you choose should be reflective of the amount of space in your home and how you plan on using it (i.e. cooking for a family of 4 v. entertaining/hosting parties)

Maximize your available space by selecting smart, stylish cabinets and drawers (I like their Rationell Drawer with Droppar Canisters).

Evaluate the type of cook you are and consider what you require on hand

Select appropriate lighting for work and atmosphere

Complete the Look!

If you’re looking for a quick kitchen “refresh,” vary your color scheme, change out hardware, and match accessories

Realize the Dream!

A 20-cabinet kitchen makeover at IKEA will cost $12,000-$15,000.

Remember that when you remodel your kitchen, you’ll add 72% to the value of your home.

For more additional ideas on achieving your dream kitchen, visit IKEA!

No compensation was received for this post.