In an effort to save money, many homeowners have turned to Euro-style cabinets from IKEA, the Swedish manufacturer that has taken the home furnishings market by storm, especially for young homeowners. In fact, KEA-lovers in touch with kitchen trends will swear that the high-end Italian cabinet manufacturer Snaidero is one of the true makers of IKEA kitchen cabinets. Many major manufacturers of high-end products are known to offer “off-brand” discount versions for certain markets. Is this perhaps true with IKEA Euro-cabinets? Are they actually made by the high-end manufacturers, such as Snaidero? To get to the bottom of this, we did side-by-side comparisons of current IKEA cabinets with the closest matches from the Snaiidero product line. We found that although IKEA cabinets are by no means exact duplicates, their cabinets are very much in the spirit of ultra-expensive Snaidero—in every way except the price. Here are some side-by-side comparisons between Snaidero and IKEA kitchen cabinets
IKEA AKURUM ABSTRAKT (Right)
In IKEA’s closest match, the AKURUM ABSTRACT, all parts consist of high-gloss white melamine surfaces over a particleboard core.
Conclusion
The difference between the expensive Snaidero and much cheaper IKEA cabinets are apparent at close examination, where the wood grain of Snaidero gives a texture that can’t be matched by IKEA’s melamine. However, at casual viewing, or at a distance, there is little difference in appearance.
IKEA AKURUM NEXUS (Right)
IKEA’s closest match is the yellow-brown finish of the NEXUS cabinet line. All surfaces are melamine over particleboard cores.
Conclusion
IKEA"s simulated-wood malamine surfaces are a surprisingly close match to the Snaidero cabinets. Apperance-wise, IKEA offers a very good value, though the finishes are not identical.
IKEA AKURUM LIDINGO (Right)
IKEA’s closest match, the LIDINGO line, features melamine surfaces over particleboard cores for both drawer fronts, doors, and carcass walls.
Conclusion
Snaidero’s surface finishes are decidedly different and probably superior to IKEA’s, although many consumers will not find the huge price jump warranted by a fairly slight improvement in finish appearance. However, the IKEA designers or buyers have done a very good job of creating Euro-style cabinets that have a similar appearance to luxury cabinets costing many times more. For many homeowners, this will offer a remarkable value.
