IKEA kitchens are popular in Malaysia for their modern design, flexibility, and affordable price tags. Many homeowners love the idea of mixing and matching cabinet doors, drawers, organizers, and accessories. But while IKEA kitchens look simple, the renovation process isn’t always smooth—especially when homeowners take a DIY or semi-DIY approach.
Here are the most common mistakes Malaysian homeowners make when renovating their kitchen with IKEA products—and how to avoid them.
🔧 1. Underestimating the Installation Work
Although IKEA provides modular systems, installing them still requires:
- Correct wall structure evaluation
- Proper drilling and anchoring
- Accurate leveling
- Alignment for doors & drawers
Many homeowners assume the installation is easy, only to discover halfway through that:
- Their walls aren’t hollow/solid as expected
- Pipes run behind the installation area
- The rail system isn’t aligned
This often leads to delays or costly fixes.
🔧 2. Not Planning Around Malaysia’s Wet Cooking Style
IKEA kitchen displays are designed for European cooking habits—light, dry, and less oily. Malaysian kitchens often involve:
- Heavy wok frying
- Steam from boiling soups
- Frequent water splashes near the sink
Without proper planning, homeowners face issues like:
- Moisture damage on cabinet legs
- Warped countertop edges
- Rusting hinges due to steam exposure
🔧 3. Choosing the Wrong Countertop
IKEA offers particleboard-based countertops and laminate tops, which may not withstand long-term heat and moisture in a Malaysian kitchen. Many homeowners regret not upgrading to:
- Quartz
- Sintered stone
- Solid surface
A weak countertop becomes the quickest point of failure.
🔧 4. Overlooking Electrical & Plumbing Placement
IKEA’s kitchen planner does not automatically adjust to your existing:
- Power outlets
- Water inlet/outlet points
- Gas piping
- Hood ventilation routes
This leads to:
- Appliances sticking out
- Unsightly exposed cables
- Delayed installation due to last-minute rewiring
🔧 5. Misjudging the Total Cost
Many Malaysians walk into IKEA thinking the kitchen will cost RM5,000. But the final bill often includes:
- Cabinet frames
- Door panels
- Countertops
- Internal organizers
- Sink, tap, accessories
- Installation fees
- Plumbing or electrical upgrades
- Third-party custom works (tall cabinets, fillers, custom countertop)
This can easily bring the cost to RM15,000–RM30,000 depending on the size.
🔧 6. Not Accounting for Gaps
Due to fixed modular sizes, IKEA cabinets sometimes leave:
- Awkward gaps at the end
- Empty spaces on top
- Uneven alignment with your existing wall structure
Closing these gaps requires custom carpentry, which IKEA does not offer.
⭐ So… Is IKEA the Best Choice for Kitchen Cabinets?
IKEA kitchens are great—but only if you know the limitations and plan carefully.
And this brings us to an important point for Malaysian homeowners:
⭐ Hiring a Local Sifu May Actually Be Easier (and Cost Almost the Same)
Many people assume custom carpentry is more expensive than IKEA—but that’s not always true.
Here’s why hiring a Malaysian sifu can be the better option:
✔ Similar Pricing
The cost of a custom-made kitchen by a sifu often falls within the same range as IKEA once:
- Installation
- Countertops
- Plumbing
- Electrical
- Filler panels
- Custom modifications
are included.
✔ Fully Customized
Unlike modular IKEA sizes, a skilled sifu will:
- Tailor every cabinet width
- Maximize every inch of space
- Customize storage to your cooking habits
- Avoid awkward gaps
✔ Better Fit for Malaysian Lifestyle
Sifus understand:
- Heavy cooking needs
- Heat and moisture concerns
- Local hardware quality
- Stronger materials for humid weather
✔ One-Stop Service
A sifu handles everything:
- Design
- Material selection
- On-site measurement
- Fabrication
- Installation
- Final touch-ups
No need to coordinate between IKEA, external installers, countertop suppliers, and electricians yourself.
✔ Less Risk of Mistakes
Most of the mistakes listed above happen when homeowners handle too many parts on their own.
A sifu takes care of the entire process from start to finish.
Final Thoughts: IKEA or Local Sifu?
If you love Scandinavian style and don’t mind managing multiple contractors, IKEA is a solid option.
But if you prefer:
- Less headache
- Customized design
- A kitchen built for Malaysian cooking
- A single person responsible for the entire job
Then hiring a local sifu is often the better—and surprisingly cost-similar—choice.
Choosing wisely can save you time, stress, and costly renovation mistakes.