Hi and welcome! Glad you're here. Creating a wonderful kitchen that functions intuitively and makes your life better is a dream that you can achieve with a little bit of help and IKEA! It can be overwhelming, though, so I've compiled a list of information that I hope you'll find helpful in starting on your new kitchen adventure.
So let's get started!
To begin, here's some good background information for you:
Click on
Library/Articles and read :
I Hate My Kitchen!
IKEA's
Akurum
Kitchen System: It's Totally Component!
The Value of Writing a Mission Statement
and either
Contractor Woes: What I Learned While Doing an IKEA Kitchen
or
DIY: Can I really do a whole kitchen by myself?
You might also want to check out the
FAQs and maybe
Tutorials
Next, download the IKEA planner (US link
IKEA | Download Planner Tool and unfortunately only for PCs, not Macs
) and play around with it some so you can get your room dimensions, windows, doors and utilities positioned in a plan. The planner is a little tempermental so if you're having problems and can't get it to behave, post about it and someone will help you out. Here's an ongoing list of
Planner Tips and Tricks that might have an answer for you.
If you can't download the planner, Google has a free CAD program called Sketch-Up
Google SketchUp - Home you might want to try. There's a
library
of IKEA cabinets available for it for free, too. It's an awesome program and useful for all sorts of things.
From there, you can play around with some designs, or post your plan as an attachment or post your planner username and password if you want some comments, advice or even a whole design! We're a friendly and helpful bunch who happen to be a little kitchen and a little IKEA obsessed.
If you're into blogging, feel free to start a Blog here as well.
http://www.ikeafans.com/forums/blogs/
An here's a few more links that might be helpful
IKEA Planner: How to Save and Post Plans at IKEAFANS
Having Planner Troubles? Google Sketchup
Tips and Tricks for SketchUp
Tips and Tricks for IKEA Kitchen Planner
Kitchen Brochures Available for Download
Link to IKEA Installation DVD in streaming video(clicking on this link will initialize the streaming video)
The Value of Writing a Mission Statement
Looking forward to your new adventure!
