You'd think that designers and celebrities would deck out their homes with luxury furniture and custom kitchens and bathrooms, but that's not always the case. Grand Design Presenter and designer Kevin MacLeod recently proved this by revealing that his own kitchen is made by none other than Ikea.
And we think his IKEA kitchen hack is actually pretty genius: In an interview with The Times, Kevin explained that the trick to elevating a basic IKEA kitchen is to treat it as a foundation, then add personal touches that make it feel even more luxurious.
“All I did was build the frame, put the doors in, did some basic carpentry and put the screws in and then brought in the nice stuff,” he said.
You too can do the same and save thousands of pounds in the process by using the best IKEA customisation companies. Here's what exactly you can do by following in Kevin's footsteps.
Kevin MacLeod's IKEA kitchen
We love an IKEA hack – after all, who doesn't?! So it's great news for us to hear that a design guru like Kevin MacLeod himself is on board.
Of course, this isn't the first time we've taken inspiration from the legendary TV presenter: Just recently, Kevin MacLeod shared some tips with us about the need to incorporate old, new, borrowed and blue into our homes.
But how did he revamp his IKEA kitchen?
“I have a very, very beautiful and expensive hot water tap, or I have worktops made out of Dekton, which is a porcelain-like material, which I had customised by a proper craftsman,” Kevin told The Times.
Kevin MacLeod kitchen worktops
Kevin is very passionate about environmental issues, so it's not too surprising that he chose the idea of Dekton kitchen worktops.
“Dekton is a revolutionary, innovative ultra-compact stone,” explains Katie Parry-Stone, retail specialist at Cosentino UK, the company that invented the material. “It's a sophisticated mixture of minerals that is UV, scratch, stain and thermal shock resistant, and has very low water absorption.”
“Dekton uses between 15 and 85% recycled materials in the manufacturing process of its products,” she continues, “and in 2020, Dekton achieved Carbon Neutral Product Certification.”
But to achieve the luxury feel of marble without paying the price of real stone, you could opt for materials like Neolith or quartz – just be aware of recent health warnings for quartz kitchen worktops.
Kevin's Kitchen Faucet
In terms of the best boiling water taps, they're a luxury item in themselves, but if you pick the right design like Kevin did, they'll definitely elevate your IKEA kitchen.
“Faucets help define the style of your kitchen and it's worth spending a little extra for a premium look,” says Dave Young, founder of HUSK Kitchens, a brand that specializes in fitting new doors and worktops to IKEA kitchen cabinets. “A contemporary black design will give off a minimalist vibe, while brushed brass will lend itself to a more traditional aesthetic.”
“To create a cohesive design, it's important to choose complementary additions in harmonious tones. For example, a warm, pink-beige stone worktop pairs well with brass fixtures and fittings, while the clean, minimalist look of white stone can be further enhanced with the addition of contemporary black taps and handles.”
Get the look
Hiendure Antique Brass Finish Antique Kitchen Sink Faucet
Vibrance Twin Lever Black Vanto 4 in 1 Instant Hot Water Kitchen Sink Mixer Tap
Flush Pull Handle
“By adding bespoke fronts to standard IKEA units, homeowners can customise and personalise their kitchen, creating a much more upscale look without paying the hefty price tag,” says Dave from HUSK.
“Clients also often opt for finishing touches to further personalize their space. For example, in a recent project, the client chose to customize the inlaid handles with gorgeous brass for an extra touch of glamour.”
Even with an affordable IKEA kitchen, the world is yours.
