Cabin Kitchen Idea Using Ikea Cabinets For A Tight Budget

When we built our cabin, we were on an extremely tight budget. We were looking for ways to cut costs at every turn. One area that can get real expensive is the kitchen. Since we were doing almost all of the work ourselves, with the help of friends, the idea of installing cabinets and counters didn't appeal much to us either. The idea of hiring the labor out just added to the total kitchen cost.

Our kitchen was small, so that was good, but we wanted it to make some sort of design statement at the same time. Shopping at the builders' supply stores and keeping with affordable ideas was turning up very bland. I for sure did not want total white cabinets in our cabin which was more rustic in design. The work of laminate counters didn't appeal to me either and we couldn't afford custom butcher block or granite.

After some depressing searching, I came across Ikea. Bells went off, flares shot through the air - this was the solution for us! The Varde brand of kitchen unit was the absolute perfect solution and affordable as well.

Varde cabinets are freestanding units, just like furniture, that include the counter top with each separate unit. You can move around and fit each unit just where you want it. Our space was small so we needed exactly three base cabinets and one wall unit and one wall shelving unit to complete our space. However, the cabinets are each quite large and efficient. I also love the fact that each unit is a mix of stainless steel, butcher block, oiled solid birch and white. You get a very unique style when they are all put together. The cool part was that we had done are cabinet walls in a whitewash finish with white battens and pine trim so the colors of the cabinets were a perfect blend with the rest of the decor.

You can see that we have a very tight space between the refrigerator and the window. There was not enough room for a wall cabinet - at least not from the Varde brand. They did, however, have a great wall unit for only $39.99 that would fit my pots and pans just nicely. And hey, it's a cabin so some open shelving for storage is just fine!

There was actually one more shelf available for that unit which we just left off to have more counter space below.

I had fun filling the shelves with my pans and on the very top shelf I simply placed a few antique fishing reels.  There is no way I could reach that shelf on a regular basis anyway!

 This corner cabinet is amazing for storage and counter space.  I have kitchen appliances stashed all the way to the back on the bottom shelf.  The ones that I use the most are right in front though. 

The top shelf is the perfect spot for our small microwave - I had to go with red to add a little color! 

I had a small amount of floor space between the corner cabinet and the refrigerator that bothered me.  So, I added a little cubed shelving unit with baskets from Target and now I have everything I need.  The drawer unit and wall unit, pictured in the first photo, hold absolutely everything.

This picture of the full kitchen gives you a better idea of the small kitchen design. The Ikea cabinets were so easy to put together and move into place.

I thought it was going to be a challenge when I saw all of the boxes but their very user friendly instructions made the job simple. Seriously! I put them together myself.

For more of our cabin decorating ideas, check out my blog at Rustic Crafts & Chic Décor.