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IKEA Unveils New System For Kitchen Remodel Options

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Homeowners looking to remodel kitchens have some new options to choose from.

IKEA just unveiled the SEKTION system; the company's first upgrade to its Bespoke kitchen line in 20 years. Customer Joe Kryzer tried out the new line's design concepts on the first day the new system was unveiled.

"The kitchen space we have is small so we have to get creative on where to put things," Kryzer said.

IKEA's new SEKTION system is the newer version of AKURUM, which sold more than 7.5 million cabinets in the U.S. since 1995.

IKEA spokesperson Brooke Nelson said the biggest kitchen upgrades have to do with convenience and maximizing space through features like deeper drawers to hidden appliances and internal cabinet lighting.

"Drawers within drawers and full extending drawers make it so there's no more climbing inside to see what's in back," Nelson said.

Nelson said the new line allows customers to come in, explore and then tackle a do-it-yourself project or get help from IKEA with everything from measurement to installation.

Measurement and installation comes for an additional charge.

"You can even have someone come into your kitchen talk about what you want," she said.

Minneapolis architect Christine Albertsson and her partner, Todd Hansen, have been upgrading kitchens for homeowners for 15 years.

"The biggest driver is good function and good family space," Albertsson said.

Albertsson showed WCCO one of her latest upscale projects near Lake Calhoun, but insists many of the same trends are possible on any budget.

"The functionality is not dollar driven, that's just good design," she said.

Albertsson said fully-extended deep drawers like the ones at IKEA are a gaining popularity inside homes in the last 10 years.

When it comes to countertops and cabinetry, Albertsson said polished and shiny surfaces used to be the trend but are not as popular anymore.

Now, Albertsson said architects want to keep the materials looking as close to the real thing.

"We want things to look authentic, soft and natural," she said.

Albertsson said cabinets can be the greatest investment for many homeowners, but that is one area to cut corners when it comes to cost, but not quality.

She said her company uses IKEA pre-made cabinets on homes with a smaller budget.

"A custom new kitchen, fully tricked-out could be as much as $50,000, but from IKEA cabinets could be $6,000," she said.

Albertsson said the biggest cost-saver often happens before the remodel begins with good planning and measuring.

That is why Joe Kryzer said he will take his time before tackling his DIY Kitchen project.

"If it goes wrong it is no one's fault but my own," he said.

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