HOW AND WHERE DO I USE IKEA

KITCHEN PANELS?

A Publication of Inspired Kitchen Design

HOW AND WHERE DO I USE IKEA

KITCHEN PANNELS?

A Publication of Inspired Kitchen Design

IKEA sells only three panel types which are designed to be cut for many distinct uses. These panel configurations are not a part of IKEA’s Home Planner. Therefore, it is necessary for the homeowner to calculate how many panel types are required for his or her specific needs and then cut them down to size.

This can be a burdensome process and there are many areas in this process where the Home Planner cannot help you.

1.30” x 40” AND 30” x 58” FRONTS FOR INTEGRATED APPLIANCES

These panels won’t show up in the Home Planner or in the general catalogue; they are tucked away on the IKEA website under “Accessories”. This could create problems for the homeowner designing his or her kitchen on their own because, at 3⁄4”, they are the thickest of all the panels and vital for a few key areas of your kitchen.

• APPLIANCE PANELS – These panels are primarily used as covers for appliances such as refrigerators (typically ones with a freezer on top) and dishwashers. Many homeowners install panels because it gives their appliances a “built-in” and a more “uniform” look. You will need to make sure that your appliance is classified as “Appliance Panel Ready” because it will have an edge profile. An edge profile is a machined shape on the outside edges of a cabinet door or drawer front. The edge profile holds your panel to the door and provides a finished, attractive edge detail. Your appliance manufacturer will provide specifications with the exact measurements of the panel needed. Your job will be to cut one of these IKEA panels to the desired size and insert the panel. This procedure is actually quite easy.

1.

With appliance fronts, your fridge blends in seamlessly with the rest of the kitchen.

• COUNTERTOP SUPPORT - Another use for panels is for countertop support because the panels are 3⁄4” thick and 30” x 40”, which is sufficient for good support. Most countertops require additional support where there are not enough cabinets below. For example, where there’s a dishwasher at the end of a row of cabinets or where there are two appliances together, such as a trash compactor and dishwasher. Finally, if there’s an open space for a desk without a cabinet at the end. All of these options would require additional countertop support. A couple examples of this would be: a dishwasher at the end of a row of cabinets, or two appliances together, such as a trash compactor and dishwasher. Another example would be if there is an open space for a desk without a cabinet at the end. In order to provide the required support, you will need to cut a 30” x 40” Integrated Appliance Panel to the 24” x 34 1⁄2” necessary for the support. It’s important that you buy the identical panel color as your cabinet door because the edge or side will be visible. One Integrated Appliance Panel is required for each support.

A 30”x40” front for integrated appliances has been used in these two examples to support a countertop

• SHELVING, ETC. - Finally, panels are handy when small pieces are needed but the homeowner doesn’t want to use Cover Panels as they are only 1⁄2” thick. Many homeowners customize a base cabinet for baking trays. Since they don’t have a door, the 3⁄4” edge looks better. Also, size-wise, it’s the most economical panel to use. In addition, if you’re adding extra shelves, this thicker panel is more rigid and better-sized.

A 30”x40” front for integrated appliances used for an open cabinet

2. PERFEKT 3’x 8’ COVER PANEL

These won’t show up in the Home Planner or the general catalogue. You will only access them on the webpage under “Accessories”. This can make things difficult because, at 36” x 96” and 5/8” thick, they’re the largest of all the panels and also vital for a few areas of your kitchen.

• REFRIGERATOR PANELS - Most professional kitchen designers frame the refrigerator with panels on each side. There are two good reasons for this: the first is that the sides of the refrigerator are concealed and the refrigerator is therefore more integrated into the cabinets, resulting in a more fluid design. Secondly, the panels offer better support for the 24” deep cabinet over the refrigerator.

• To frame in your refrigerator with panels, cut a 3’x8’ PERFEKT Cover Panel. A 3’ x 8’ panel is 36” wide and 96” high.

• If you’re using 30” high wall cabinets, cut the panel to 25 1⁄2” wide (or your countertop depth) and 84” high to frame your refrigerator.

• With 39” high wall cabinets, use 25 1⁄2” wide by 93” high.

• It’s important that you buy the identical panel color as your cabinet door because the edge or side will be visible.

• One 3’x8’ PERFEKT Panel is required for each support.

A PERFEKT Cover Panel has been used to frame a fridge in this example

• ISLANDS – A normal island using one or more base cabinets will require a panel to cover the exposed and unfinished panel backs. (Remember that cabinets are normally installed against a wall.) A 3’ x 8’ panel will cover the back of any island up to 95” long and since the required height is 34 1⁄2”, there will be very little of your panel wasted. Also, if you do decide to create a wide island by designing wall cabinets against base cabinets, it will be necessary to cover the 36” wide exposed sides (24” base + 12” wall) or the space between these two cabinets will be left visible. In both of these cases, the panel can be installed to the floor or cut to a 30” height so that a recessed toe-kick can be placed below. A toe-kick is an indentation designed into the bottom of a cabinet to provide room for the user to stand closer to the countertop.

PERFEKT 3’x8’ Cover Panel (used as island side panel)

PERFEKT 3’x8’ Cover Panel (used as island back panel)

• CLOSING THE GAP AT THE CEILING - Most ceiling heights are 96”. The problem with this is that the space leftover after installing 30” wall cabinets is 12” - or 3” with 39” wall cabinets. Most people want to seal off this dead space because it can accumulate dust and dirt and it doesn’t look finished or professional. To close off a space greater than 4” (if you used a 30” high wall cabinet) we recommend using a 3’ x 8’ PERFEKT Cover Panel and then cut it down to size. Important tips for you to remember:

• Don’t forget to determine the height of the space that you want to close off in order to select the plinth or panel. A plinth is a base or platform on which a structure (in this case, a cabinet or countertop) rests. IKEA calls these pieces “plinths”, we call them “toe-kicks”.

• Then, total up the widths of all the wall cabinets - along with 12” for every open end.

• This is the amount of linear inches of plinth or panel that’s required.

• Finally, divide the linear inches by 96” (panel/plinth length) to determine the quantity to buy.

• You’ll need to buy this material separately at the time of purchase.

VALANCES

An attractive detail hanging over a window that joins two wall cabinets is called a valance. This is simply a panel that “joins” the wall cabinets together and covers the area over the window.

The valance is installed at the same depth as the adjoining cabinet doors. A 3’ x 8’ PERFEKT Panel is ideal because valances can be quite large. It is therefore just a matter of determining the height and width necessary for the valance and then cutting the panel.

PERFEKT Cover Panels

These are shown in the Home Planner and general catalogue. These panels are used to cover the open or visible side of a base, wall or high cabinet. They are a necessary purchase, so the side panels will be the same color as the door.

There’s not a left or right – or up or down – one panel conveniently works for all. It’s that easy. Just be sure to select the same panel color as your door to that your colors remain uniform.

a.Base cabinets – Use: 24” wide x 30” high b.Wall cabinets – Use: 12” wide x 32” high c.High cabinets – Use 24” wide x 79” or 88” high

Fillers Fillers are narrow panels that cover the empty space between cabinets. Since IKEA cabinets come in standard sizes, it’s nearly impossible for your cabinets to fit exactly into your available space. Fillers are required at every corner and/or when a base or a wall cabinet ends at a wall. Fillers typically range in width from 1” to 3” and are 30” tall.

3.

• Cover Panels for wall or base cabinets are cut to size to make fillers.

• Each Cover Panel (for wall cabinets) is 12” wide so you will need to calculate the linear inches of width of all the required fillers and divide by 12” (cover panel).

• For base cabinets, calculate the linear inches of width of all required fillers and divide by 24” instead.

• Then, “round-up” to get the total quantity of Cover Panels that you’ll need to make your fillers for wall and base cabinets. Add them up and you’ll get the total fillers needed.

At IKD, we have skilled designers and we use professional design software to accurately calculate the necessary materials for your project and adapt to the specific needs for your IKEA

kitchen design.

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Ikea’s Home Planner is not for everyone

About IKD

We’re a group of eight professional designers who have been skillfully creating kitchens since 2006. This eBook carefully evolved out of a desire to provide personalized and dedicated design services to customers looking to use IKEA products for their home remodel projects.

Our goal is to enable our customers to have their design ideas come to life when using IKEA kitchen cabinets and furnishings, to provide inspiration and technical advice and support, to provide assistance with planning and to help with questions about modification and installation. Finally, we aim to provide answers to both common and uncommon inquiries, specifically about IKEA kitchen design issues.

It is not our intention to impersonate IKEA stores or services. We do not sell IKEA products. IKEA products are sold solely in stores operated by the IKEA Retail System–franchised by Inter IKEA Systems B.V. of The Netherlands.

We are not affiliated with IKEA in any way; we are not IKEA co-workers, partners, affiliates, sales representatives, nor are we sponsored, financially or otherwise, by Inter IKEA Systems B.V.

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