A low-cost kitchen redo with this one IKEA product

kitchen before

Budget savvy shaker style remodel refreshed a dated kitchen and added lots of storage space.

My old built-in microwave failed during the pandemic, and I could not replace it with one that fits in the hole. The built-in wall oven was also having issues. In addition, the kitchen cabinets were short and dated. I decided it was time for a remodel. The quotes for a kitchen remodel I received were in the $30,000 range, and I simply could not afford them. I am not handy and cannot do the DIY.

before picture
kitchen cabinets — before | Photo Credit: Kris S.

Enter the IKEA ENHET kitchen cabinet doors. I love the color, and the sizes available were perfect for my kitchen redesign plan. The cabinets were still in good condition, so I could continue using them. However, I wanted the upper cabinets extended to the ceiling.

IKEA ENHET kitchen redo: Adding upper cabinet extensions

IKEA ENHET door used on prefab kitchen cabinet
Photo Credit: Kris S.

My contractor simply made wooden boxes to place on top of my existing upper cabinets. He also added molding at the top of the cabinets to finish the built-ins. The old doors for both the upper and base kitchen cabinets were all removed and replaced with new IKEA ENHET doors.

He then painted the old kitchen cabinets. I loved the gray color, and my contractor was able to match the paint color perfectly at Sherwin Williams. The paint stuck perfectly to both my old prefab cabinets and the wood extension. Here’s the formulation, in case you’re thinking of the same thing.

sherwin williams color match for ENHET gray door
Photo Credit: Kris S.

I chose not to have the microwave built-in as you never know when another worldwide supply chain issue will make that microwave impossible to locate. The cabinet extensions have added so much extra space that I can easily hide the oven. But I don’t because I use it every day.

IKEA ENHET door used on prefab kitchen cabinet
Photo Credit: Kris S.

The only new ENHET cabinet is on top of my refrigerator. I love my new ENHET kitchen and could not have afforded it without IKEA.

IKEA ENHET door used on prefab kitchen cabinet
Photo Credit: Kris S.
IKEA ENHET door used on prefab kitchen cabinet
Photo Credit: Kris S.

What happened to the drawers? I chose to hide them because the 6” ENHET drawer fronts are plain. Instead of replacing the drawer fronts, I just had the old drawers hidden. Here’s a photo of it. I’m not super happy with this result, but since they are out of sight, they are ok.

IKEA ENHET kitchen doors on old kitchen cabinets
Photo Credit: Kris S.
IKEA ENHET kitchen doors
Photo Credit: Kris S.
IKEA ENHET door cover old kitchen drawers
Photo Credit: Kris S.

~ by Kris S.