IKEA Kitchen Fronts - 2026 Guide: FAKTUM and METOD
Do you have an IKEA kitchen and want new fronts? The first question is: which system do you have, FAKTUM or METOD? Everything depends on this - dimensions, hinges, replacement path, and even whether you'll be able to buy anything compatible.
In this article, you will find a complete decision-making guide for IKEA kitchen fronts: how to identify the system in 30 seconds, what dimensions you can choose from, how the three materials differ (lacquer, veneer, plywood), what colors are available beyond the IKEA catalog, and how the custom-made front ordering process works. Two systems, five finishing families, six weeks of production - everything in order.
Two IKEA Kitchens - FAKTUM (until 2014) and METOD (from 2014)
Over the last 25 years, IKEA has introduced two kitchen systems in Poland: FAKTUM and METOD. They look similar from the outside but differ fundamentally - with different hinges, different dimensions, and different cabinet logic.
| System | Years of sale at IKEA | Hinge | Status in 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| FAKTUM | until 2014 | metal screw-on plate | discontinued, no fronts available at IKEA |
| METOD | from 2014 | UTRUSTA, plastic, clip-on | current, available at IKEA |
What does this mean in practice? If you bought an IKEA kitchen before 2014, you have FAKTUM - and you will no longer find replacement fronts in the IKEA catalog. This is why distressed customers look for us: they have functional carcasses, the fronts are falling apart, and IKEA sells nothing. If you bought after 2014, you have METOD - IKEA fronts are on sale, but the color palette is limited, and non-standard dimensions (e.g., unusual island fronts) require a custom manufacturer.
The transition from FAKTUM to METOD was not cosmetic. IKEA changed the hinges from a metal screw-on plate to a plastic UTRUSTA clip, changed drawer heights (METOD: 10/20/40 cm, FAKTUM: 13/25/38 cm), and shifted the standard door sizes from 60x70/92/125 cm to 60x80/100/140 cm. FAKTUM fronts do not fit METOD carcasses and vice versa - even if the door surface looks identical, the hinge drillings are in different locations.
How to Identify Your System in 30 Seconds
Three tests, each working independently - if one confirms, you have the answer.
Test 1 - kitchen year. Check your invoice or memory. An IKEA kitchen from 2002-2014 is FAKTUM. From 2014-2026, it's METOD. If the kitchen is from 2014-2015, it's a borderline case - check the hinge.
Test 2 - hinge. Open any cabinet door, look at the hinge from the carcass side: - If you see a metal plate with two screws in the carcass, you have FAKTUM - If you see a plastic base clipped on with the word UTRUSTA, you have METOD
Test 3 - door dimension. Measure the height of a standard lower cabinet door: - 70 cm, 92 cm or 125 cm is FAKTUM - 80 cm, 100 cm or 140 cm is METOD
If after these three tests you still have doubts - send a photo of the hinge and one front to kontakt@ogony.pl, and we will identify it within a day. Customers are usually convinced they have METOD because "the kitchen is still new," but a photo reveals it's FAKTUM from 2012 - and then we plan differently. A complete list of replacements is described in a separate article: IKEA FAKTUM front replacements.
Front Dimensions - FAKTUM vs METOD
Dimensions are the second reason after hinges why fronts cannot be interchanged between systems. Every custom manufacturer must know the exact number of millimeters - otherwise, the front will not fit into the carcass.
| Front type | FAKTUM | METOD |
|---|---|---|
| Standard doors (width × height) | 60×70, 60×92, 60×125 cm | 60×80, 60×100, 60×140 cm |
| Doors 80 cm wide | 80×70, 80×92, 80×125 cm | 80×80, 80×100, 80×140 cm |
| Drawers (height) | 13, 25, 38 cm | 10, 20, 40 cm |
| Dishwasher front | 45×57, 45×70, 60×57, 60×70 cm | any dimension, NO DRILLINGS |
| Standard hinge drilling | ø 35 mm depth 13 mm, 96 mm from edge | ø 35 mm depth 13 mm, 96 mm from edge |
The hinge itself has the same drilling standard in both systems (ø 35x13 mm, 96 mm offset) - this is a furniture standard across Europe. What differs is the hinge mounting to the carcass. Therefore, a front with FAKTUM hinge holes has correct drillings, but when a METOD hinge is inserted, it will not attach to the IKEA carcass - the clip will hit empty space.
What about the dishwasher front? In FAKTUM, dishwashers had fixed front sizes (45 or 60 cm wide, 57 or 70 cm high). In METOD, the customer chooses the dimension according to the dishwasher model. In both cases, the dishwasher front has no drillings - the mounting depends on the dishwasher model, so we leave the front smooth.
The dimensions of masking panels, plinths, and fillers are flexible in both systems - we make them to measure after measurement. For longer panels (over 80 cm high), it is sometimes necessary to join two pieces, because the standard front height in the IKEA base is 80-90 cm.
IKEA Front Replacement Without Renovation - What You Can Change
The most common scenario at ogony.pl: a client has IKEA carcasses that are in good condition, but the fronts have fallen apart, yellowed, or simply become boring. Replacing the entire kitchen costs 30-60 thousand PLN and weeks of renovation. Replacing only the fronts is a fraction of that cost and an operation on a living organism - the kitchen still works.
Three levels of intervention
- Only fronts - IKEA carcasses remain, you replace doors, drawer fronts, and dishwasher front. This is 80% of the visual change for 20% of the cost of replacing the entire kitchen.
- Fronts + handles - replacing handles simultaneously with the fronts gives a cohesive look. From our side, you can choose Minimalist (gold/black) or leave original IKEA handles.
- Fronts + plinths + side panels - the most complete upgrade. A 160 cm plinth and side panels (619 mm for METOD, 619 mm for FAKTUM) make the kitchen look like a new built-in. Often, clients decide on this 2 weeks after their initial order.
A full cost calculation for each of the three scenarios plus real quotes for completed orders is described in a separate article: IKEA kitchen front replacement - FAKTUM, METOD, costs.
Front Materials - Lacquer, Veneer, Plywood
Three separate categories of materials. These are not synonymous - lacquer, veneer, and plywood are three different bases, each with its pros and cons. Often, a client says "birch veneered fronts" when they mean birch plywood. These are not the same.
| Material | Base | Finish | Most common use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lacquer | Egger MDF 19 mm | semi-matt or high-gloss polyurethane lacquer | METOD and FAKTUM |
| Natural veneer | Egger MDF 19 mm + thin layer of wood | clear polyurethane lacquer | METOD, FAKTUM, PAX |
| Birch plywood | solid layered wood (not MDF) | matt protective lacquer | METOD, PAX, PLATSA |
Lacquer is the most popular choice. Egger MDF board (Austrian manufacturer, emission class E0, FSC certified) sanded, primed, and lacquered in 1-2 layers. Semi-matt finish (subtle sheen, most popular) or high-gloss (striking, but fingerprints are visible). Lacquer is single-sided by default - front in the color chosen by the customer, back in raw white Egger MDF (it is white itself, does not require lacquering). Double-sided lacquer is an additional 20% charge and makes sense mainly for fronts that are visible from both sides - open shelves, glass doors, island side panels.
Natural veneer is a thin layer of wood (usually 0.6-0.8 mm) glued to an MDF board and finished with clear polyurethane lacquer. This is a key point: veneers have a polyurethane lacquer, not another finish. Maintenance is the same as for lacquered fronts - soft cloth, mild detergent, no wax, no polishing. Each veneered front has a unique grain pattern - no two are identical. Available veneers at ogony.pl: oak, Smoked Oak (stained to a dark tone), American walnut, Maraska rosewood, Muskato Root (caramel-honey), Silver Root (white veins on dark oak). The option of continuous grain (the same grain on adjacent fronts) is an additional 20% and requires careful planning.
Birch plywood is a SEPARATE category. There is no MDF underneath - plywood is solid layered wood, where you can see the layers on the edge of the front (characteristic "striped" cross-section). Matt, protective finish. Plywood fits Scandinavian, loft, and minimalist kitchen aesthetics. The price is similar to lacquered cabinet fronts. Pine plywood is another variant - lighter, warmer, more rustic.
Colors and Palettes - What IKEA Doesn't Have
IKEA METOD fronts are available in a dozen standard colors (white, beige, dark gray, a few wood shades). That's it. If you want deep navy, forest green, terracotta, or exactly that color you saw at Magdalena Lubelska's summer house - you won't buy it at IKEA.
At ogony.pl, available lacquer palettes, all included in the price (no extra charges for unusual colors):
- Farrow & Ball - 150+ shades, a British brand known for its depth of colors. This is the distinguishing palette of ogony.pl. Most popular: Railings (dark graphite), Hague Blue (deep blue), Pavilion Gray (warm gray), All White (pure white), Stiffkey Blue (sea blue), Pigeon (gray-green).
- NCS - 1950+ shades, a Scandinavian system used in architecture.
- RAL - 200+ shades, classic technical system.
- Custom - matching any sample upon request.
Why does the palette matter? In a small kitchen (3-5 running meters of cabinetry), the front color accounts for 60-70% of the visual mass of the room. The choice of shade changes the perception of the entire apartment - for example: the same kitchen with white All White fronts vs. dark Pigeon creates two different interiors. Therefore, we strongly encourage ordering a front sample (deducted from the production order with the SAMPLE code) before making a decision - the color on a monitor screen rarely matches the color in physical space.
IKEA Fronts Beyond the Kitchen - PAX, BESTÅ, PLATSA
Kitchens account for 60% of our orders, but clients also order fronts for other IKEA systems from us. A brief overview:
PAX (wardrobe). Standard widths 50, 75, 100, 200 cm and heights 201 or 236 cm. Sliding or classic hinged doors. Most often, people want veneered fronts in oak, walnut, or Silver Root for PAX - a bedroom interior with a wooden wardrobe looks completely different than with white IKEA panels.
BESTÅ (living room, TV unit, shelves, chests of drawers). Front dimensions: 60x38 (small cabinet), 60x64 (chest of drawers), 60x128 (display cabinet), 60x192 (full-size display cabinet). Carcasses in two depths: 20 cm (TV unit) and 40 cm (chest of drawers) - the front does not depend on the carcass depth. BESTÅ is most often lacquered fronts in muted colors (Pigeon, Pavilion Gray, Hague Blue) with a living room built-in effect.
PLATSA (modular cabinet system). Doors 40x40, 60x40, 60x80, 60x120, 60x180 cm. Side panels 42x40 cm. PLATSA is less popular than PAX, but clients choose it because it offers greater dimensional flexibility in bedrooms with awkward alcoves.
A complete guide to METOD fronts - with a map of models, custom options, and dimensions - is described in a separate article: IKEA METOD fronts - dimensions, models, custom-made. If you are specifically interested in a wardrobe, go to /collections/front-ikea-pax.
How to Order Fronts - Step by Step
The process from measurement to installation takes an average of 7-8 weeks. Six of those are for production, the rest are client decisions and logistics.
- Configurator on ogony.pl. You choose the system (METOD, FAKTUM, PAX, BESTÅ, PLATSA), front design (Smooth, Linea, Rytm, Pasmo, Vitrine and others), material (lacquer / veneer / plywood), and color. The configurator calculates the price for each individual front based on dimensions - without hidden surcharges.
- Front sample - Front sample, delivery 12 working days. The sample is a physical piece of the front in the chosen material and color (size 145x230 mm for smooth, 284x396 mm for milled). The sample amount is deducted from the production order - meaning the sample is effectively refundable if you place an order.
- PDF quote with exact specifications - list of fronts, dimensions, material, color, surcharges (if any), delivery time.
- Production - 7 weeks from receipt of payment. During this time, fronts are produced in our partner workshop Pro-Hand in Bydgoszcz - CNC milling, lacquering or veneering, quality control.
- Shipping - courier throughout Poland (free shipping above 3,000 PLN). Tricity and surrounding areas have the option of own transport (Konrad delivers). International shipping to EU approximately 99 EUR.
If you don't know where to start - write to kontakt@ogony.pl with photos of your kitchen and one hinge. We will help identify the system, choose dimensions, and prepare the first quote. Order a front sample to see the material and color live - this is the fastest way to make a sensible decision.
What ogony.pl does not do
A short list, so you don't waste time if you're looking for something outside our offer:
- Fully custom kitchen carcasses (outside the IKEA system). We make carcasses compatible with custom METOD (our MDF product), but we don't compete with carpenters for full kitchen installations with different fittings.
- Kitchen countertops. We make fronts, panels, plinths. Countertops must be purchased from a countertop supplier (natural stone, composite, wood).
- Home appliances. We work with all home appliances - we adapt the dishwasher front without drillings - but we do not sell the appliances themselves.
- Installation throughout Poland. Installation is usually done by the client themselves (IKEA instructions) or a hired local carpenter. In Tricity, we can arrange an installation team.
- Fronts with wax or French polish finish. Veneers have polyurethane lacquer, and our lacquer is in semi-matt and high-gloss. If you absolutely want a different finish - that's not us.
What we don't do is just as important as what we do.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Do FAKTUM fronts fit METOD? No. Despite their similar appearance, both systems have different hinge mountings (FAKTUM = metal screw-on plate, METOD = plastic UTRUSTA clip). The drilling standard is the same (ø 35x13 mm, 96 mm offset), but the hinge base is different - so the front will not attach to the carcass of the other system.
What thickness of MDF do you use? 19 mm. This is the furniture standard. Egger MDF (Austrian manufacturer), emission class E0, FSC certified. The 19 mm thickness ensures dimensional stability - the front does not bend or crack under the weight of the hinge.
Is the lacquer double-sided? Not by default. The lacquer is single-sided - front in the color chosen by the customer, back in raw white Egger MDF (MDF is white on its own). Double-sided lacquer is an additional 20% charge, sensible for fronts visible from both sides - glass doors, island side panels, open shelves.
How much does a front sample cost and can I return it? Front sample, delivery 12 working days. The price is deducted from the production order - if you place an order, the sample is effectively free. The sample itself is not returnable (it's a custom-made product), but the sample fee is offset against the quote.
Do you also make carcasses for METOD? Yes - we have a carcass compatible with IKEA METOD made to measure (MDF, 499 PLN). This is a solution for non-standard spaces where an IKEA carcass does not fit dimensionally. Standard METOD carcasses are purchased by the client from IKEA - we custom-fit the fronts.
What is the lead time? 7 weeks from receipt of payment. This is the production time at the Pro-Hand workshop in Bydgoszcz. Plus 1-2 weeks for measurement, client decision, sample, and logistics. Realistically, from the first email to installation, the fronts will be with you in 7-9 weeks.
Do you ship abroad? Yes, to all EU countries. International shipping cost is approximately 99 EUR (depends on the country and dimensions). Service in English - regardless of the country, clients receive a PDF quote, invoices, and email support from us at the same level.
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