Coralbrook, when a friend was doing her kitchen cabinets not too long ago, she looked at Leicht:
Perhaps this can give you good lead for more design ideas. As for IKEA, if it is well assembled and installed, you might be surprised at how good it looks (as I was with with my H’s call room project). He used some cabinet people to assemble and install them.
While I’m at it, let me speak up for double-bowl sinks. The kind where one is larger than the other works well, and still allows one to wash and drain pots that won’t go in the dishwasher. In my house, the kitchen came with a single bowl sink. We took it out and installed a double bowl. I don’t want a drain board sitting on the counter all the time, which IME is what happens with a single bowl.
Unless, of course, you have a soapstone counter with an incised drainage area.
I like the Leicht photos but it is very hard for me to see any obvious difference in the appearance from the IKEA cabinets. The Leicht cabinetry is only sold at one high end showroom in San Diego. Expensive and 8 week lead time! And they insist that they have to install them. Ive tried to work with them before.
I love a single bowl sink personally. I like to be able to hide all the big stuff in the sink while we finish up a party. I just lay a dish towel on the counter for drying the big stuff that didn’t go in dishwasher.
I wasn’t a big fan of the IKEA brand myself until we installed the contemporary style kitchen with quartz counter and waterfall in the townhome project. Similar quality as regular cabinets and a lot of fun stuff for inserts and functionality. I was very impressed. The style was really cool, but a little monochromatic for my taste.
LOL, Coralbrook, you haven’t seen my gigantic Elkay stainless steel double bowl sink. 
To get a licensed kitchen, I had to have a double bowl in which I could immerse my largest piece of equipment. (Actually, I cheated. Still love the sink.)
Coralbrook, about the Leicht vs. IKEA, that was my point exactly. The appearance is comparable and the quality not hugely different. And having to get an order shipped from Germany, with its related angst, was a big deal for my friend.
We actually went with Downsview (which is Canadian), but that was years ago and we have a local showroom. Looking now at both online catalogs, the same looks are far more readily available.
I just want to comment that we put in a single bowl, large sink during our remodel 16 years ago and I love it. I have never understood the logic of two bowls (if one has a dishwasher) and grew up in a house with 3 – middle bowl was small and had the disposal in the middle. Love that I can fit anything in my sink!
I also love all the contemporary kitchens, both the flat front and the shaker. Don’t like the shiny/glossy finish, though and anything wood grain needs to be seen in person to see the quality. I agree with what another poster said, though – hardware is very important and can really change the look and also make cabinets look more upscale.
CB, this is fun! Thanks for taking us along for the ride 
Another vote for one large single-bowl sink. I also put large things I’ve handwashed on a towel next to the sink, and put them away half an hour later.
Perhaps you’ve convinced me to rescind my comment about Ikea. (Post #736 – That a potential buyer might feel the cabinets are cheap-ish, upon learning they are Ikea.) cb, you sound quite convinced that Ikea does quality stuff, so I’ll quietly slip away and let you focus on the design of your Ikea cabinets.
Me, too! I echo what VeryHappy said! Looking forward to seeing the final design!
I promise that I will give some other cabinetry a chance, if only because IKEA cabinets have a ‘reputation’ in people’s minds. They have a newly designed set of basic boxes and hardware that are improved. Just so that you all know, IKEA uses the exact same high quality hinges and drawer slide hardware as the expensive European cabinetry. That’s really important because drawers and door hardware are what starts ‘sagging’ over time.
The main issue with IKEA cabinetry is that the box construction is pressboard (and some drawer fronts). Over time, If some screws or drawer slide hardware starts coming out, it is really difficult to try to rescrew into the box and get a ‘grab’ in the pressboard.
However, the important thing to note is that most all other box construction by other brands is mdf / pressboard also. You have to pay a large upcharge to get plywood box construction. That is the main difference in cost, but it’s the same issue with other mid range brands, including Kraft Maid.
I had a long discussion with my agent about IKEA cabinets versus other brands. She said to go IKEA because it has the style we are looking for. I’ll talk with her again on whether buyers will walk away because of the brand of kitchen cabinets.
I, for one, would listen to what your agent has to say.
I must admit than when shopping for houses, I don’t really pay attention to what brand the cabinets are.
last comment on the 1 vrs 2 bowl sink issue-
I had a Elkay 2 bowl sink for 30 years- changed it 2 years ago to my 30" 1 bowl Franke. I love it! Anything can fit in in-[ I’m not a commercial cook] and like others I quickly put away pots after cleaning.
CB, do you find that anyone asks about the brand of kitchen cabinet? Or, maybe, when you pull out a drawer or open a cabinet door, the Ikea name is blatant? Otherwise, it seems like no one going through the home purchasing process would know what brand the kitchen cabinets are.
“Or, maybe, when you pull out a drawer or open a cabinet door, the Ikea name is blatant?”
thats a good point.
Asking over 1 Mil for a house with an Ikea kitchen might be a non starter for older buyers looking to downsize or relocate- [it would be for me]
$1M house in Seattle… maybe. $1M house in Palo Alto… I’d be happy if it came with a kitchen! Dunno about SD.
The only reason I know what brand cabinets we have in the house is because the builder sent us to the dealer to pick out the style and little thingies like pullout trashcan holder, appliance “garage,” etc. I have some IKEA Pax wardrobes, and there are no identification marks on them. The hardware is very solid, and after 10 years we had them as closets in baby kiddo’s room, they still look like new.
I am learning so much. This thread is great.
There are some identifying marks inside IKEA drawers if you pull them out and look at the sides. But I learned that they are plastic snap ons and can be removed if you want. I don’t think there are any marks in the general cabinetry itself.
$900k is an average cost house in this neighborhood - not a high end house. In fact, in the $850k to $950k price range you are usually looking at homes with original kitchens and baths - outdated homes.