Is there anything that makes a high-end kitchen look, well, high-end? Save all that ugly stuff! That's the beauty of equipment garages, where small work tools stay hidden behind locked doors when not in use.
You'd probably assume that a luxury feature like this would come with a price tag to match, but you can actually get this look at IKEA (with seriously chic results!). Case in point: the kitchen remodel that Jan Odesanya, founder and chief designer of Mondän & Co. Interiors, did for her own home.
“My goal was to create a complete breakfast center, not just a coffee corner: a place where mornings can take place effortlessly,” says Odesanya. “We were busy renovating just before Christmas, so custom furniture wasn’t an option for our schedule.”
Given this tight schedule, Odesanya reached out to IKEA to see if she could find a solution. As other pros and DIYers know, this big box store is ripe for hacks but doesn't have a ready-made solution for appliance garages. What is that? does However, I have a line of cabinets that are perfect for hacking into an appliance garage.
SECTION wall cabinet frame
SECTION wall cabinet frame
IKEA
$40
Buy now
“The SECTION system provided the structure and modularity I needed, and with a little creative problem-solving, I knew I could make it look completely custom,” says Odesanya. So you can follow Odesanya's example and build a DIY and appliance garage out of IKEA kitchen cabinets.
Choose doors that operate horizontally
Odesanya worked with a contractor on the kitchen renovation, and to design the breakfast area they combined the SEKTION system with BODBYN doors. The classic panel style looks just as good horizontally as it does vertically.
BODBYN By
BODBYN By
IKEA
How to use a screwdriver
$100
Buy now
Convert the garage into a closet tower
The appliance garages are built into kitchen cabinet towers so they are fully integrated into the kitchen design and the entire assembly looks like high quality custom cabinets.
“Each tower consists of three sections: a glass-fronted cabinet at the top and two independent, fold-up doors at the bottom,” she says. “That makes a total of four equipment garages, two on each side.”
EQUIPMENT hinge, set of 2
EQUIPMENT hinge, set of 2
IKEA
$54
Buy now
Use a flip-up hinge
A traditional hinge would cause cabinet doors to slam shut, however IKEA makes a cabinet hinge specifically for horizontal doors (the UTRUSTA). This is what Odesanya used for his equipment garages.
Note where points of sale must be located
To ensure your appliance garage is as efficient as possible, Odesanya recommends cutting out the connectors for the outlets before installation. Otherwise, the delayed cuts could look messy. “My contractor installed electrical outlets in each bay so that toasters, kettles and other small appliances can be plugged in and hidden. It's the best of both worlds: accessible yet invisible,” she says.
Create a seamless look
Once the towers are in place, Odesanya says special care needs to be taken. You wouldn't rush when attaching the doors as you want them to be fully aligned for a professional look. Once installed, remember to make everything look seamless by using caulk and trim to make the cabinets look like they are all one unit.
Add personalized flourishes
As part of the finishing touches, Odesanya added interior cabinet lights and brass hardware purchased on Amazon. “That little detail that completely changes the feeling,” she says. “The handles look like jewelry against the cream doors and immediately give the interior a designer finish.”
In total, this DIY appliance garage breakfast nook project took two days to complete. “The counters remain uncluttered, everything is within reach and it looks beautiful whether the doors are open or closed,” says Odesanya. “I use it several times a day.”
Further reading
Create your own interior design mood board | Apartment therapy
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