You want a new kitchen, and IKEA looks like the affordable route. But the sticker price online never matches the final bill, and nobody seems to give a straight number.
Here is a realistic look at IKEA kitchen cost in Canada for 2026, with ranges instead of one made-up figure, because your layout and finishes swing the total a lot.
By the end you will know the main cost buckets, what moves the number, and how to keep it in check.
What goes into the price
An IKEA kitchen bill has a few separate parts. People compare only the first one and get surprised later.
The parts are: the cabinet boxes, the fronts (doors and drawer fronts), the internal hardware and legs, delivery, and installation. Countertops, sink, appliances, backsplash, and plumbing sit outside the cabinet budget.
Cabinet cost by layout
Layout is the biggest driver, because it sets how many cabinets you need. One Canadian pricing guide gives these rough cabinetry ranges for 2025 to 2026. Treat them as ballparks, not quotes.
| Layout | Cabinetry range (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Galley | $3,500 – $5,500 |
| L-shape | $5,500 – $8,500 |
| U-shape | $9,000 – $13,500 |
| Add an island | +$1,800 – $3,500 |
For the standard 10x10 kitchen that designers use to compare, the same guide estimates about $5,200 for entry-level finishes and over $14,500 for premium finishes.
Installation labour
You can assemble and hang IKEA cabinets yourself to save money, but it takes time and care. If you hire it out, expect labour on top of the cabinets.
A small kitchen assembly and mounting job often runs about $1,800 to $3,000. A large or complex kitchen can reach $6,000 to $9,500 in labour. Old-house surprises, like crooked walls, push it higher.
Finishes swing the total
The fronts you choose can change the cabinetry cost by roughly 25 to 40 percent. Basic melamine sits at the low end. Painted, high-gloss, or wood-look fronts sit at the top.
This is exactly where the IKEA box plus custom front idea helps. You keep the affordable IKEA boxes and spend your finish budget only on the doors people actually see and touch.
Where to save and where not to
Save on the boxes. An IKEA Sektion box does the same job whether it is hidden behind a basic or a premium door.
Do not cheap out on the fronts and hinges you use every day. Soft-close hinges and a solid door finish are worth the money because you open them thousands of times a year.
An honest doubt
"Isn't IKEA plus custom fronts just as pricey as full custom?" Usually no. You reuse the IKEA box and only buy new fronts, so you land between IKEA-only and full custom, not above it. The exact gap depends on your door choice, which is why a real estimate beats a guess.
Takeaway
IKEA kitchen cost in Canada depends on layout, finishes, and whether you install it yourself. Cabinets commonly fall between $3,500 and $13,500, labour adds a few thousand more, and counters and appliances are separate. Price your real layout before you fall in love with a number.
Use the Kitch Cost Estimator to price custom fronts for your IKEA layout in a few minutes. Try the Cost Estimator at mykitch.ca.
FAQ
How much is a basic IKEA kitchen in Canada?
A small galley or L-shape often lands between about $3,500 and $8,500 for cabinets and fronts, before counters, appliances, and installation. Your finishes move the number.
Does that price include installation?
No. Installation is usually separate, often about $1,800 to $3,000 for a small kitchen and up to $6,000 to $9,500 for a large or complex one.
Can I lower the cost without a cheap look?
Yes. Keep the affordable IKEA boxes and spend on the fronts. Custom doors on IKEA Sektion boxes give a high-end look for less than full custom.
Are these prices exact?
No. They are ranges from Canadian 2025 to 2026 guides and vary by region, layout, and finish. Get a real estimate for your kitchen before budgeting.
Ranges are CAD estimates that vary by layout, finish, and region, and exclude counters, appliances, and plumbing. Sources: rtadepot.ca IKEA kitchen cost guides (Canada), 2025 to 2026.