IKEA’s new Sunnersta free-standing mini-kitchen is ideal for my garden room. Maybe to someone, it’s “the no-commitment kitchen,” but I love it. It was just unveiled as one of the brand new designs in IKEA’s 2017 catalog, which claims that this tiny thing offers “all the function of a full-sized kitchen with just a fraction of the assembly and installation effort.”

And it costs $139 with sink and faucet! After reading about it, I had to see and touch it in person. Besides, with a price tag this low, I was afraid that it might be sold out immediately. So, I rushed to the store the day following the official release of the catalog.

Sadly, it hadn’t been assembled yet. At least its companion, Sunnersta utility cart ($29.00) was on display. Thus, I was able to examine the finish, which met my approval — it’s white matte polyester powder-coated steel.

IKEA’s Sunnersta mini-kitchen is tiny, but that’s exactly what I need — something basic, compact, and inexpensive

Sunnersta accessories

Sunnersta utility cart

Algot wire baskets

In addition to the built-in sink, the mini-kitchen is meant to be equipped with two very unusual appliances. Designed specifically for it, a cube-shaped undercounter fridge and a portable induction cooktop are perfectly sized to be its ideal companions. Unfortunately, these appliances will not be available in the US until next year. OK. I’ll wait.

Next step is to layout the mini-kitchen as part of the garden room and to see how it will work in plan and elevation. I’ve shared my pre-Sunnersta ideas for it here. Hmm… I thought I had a very small space, but it appears that there’s enough room for two (Width: 44 1/8”, Depth: 22”, Height: 54 3/8”).

floor plan

Of course, installing two mini-kitchen units side-by side defeats the purpose. Just one is meant to be sufficient. Great! I can adjust the layout and reduce the area allotted for the kitchen by 18”. A seven-foot 24-inch-deep niche will be enough. This means I can simplify the bathroom/sauna area.

The real fun of it for me is customizing and combining various pieces. I’ve been upcycling IKEA’s offerings for years, even created a free downloadable ideaBOOK documenting some of the projects. I thrive on this stuff!

In addition to the main unit, I’ll incorporate the Sunnersta utility cart as the counter extension. For extra storage, I am considering stacking two carts from a compatible Algot line on top of each other. The frames with six wire baskets each will act as drawers do in a traditional kitchen setting. They are 23 5/8 ” deep, a bit deeper than Sunnersta’s depth of 22”, but it’ll be fine. (Width: 16 1/8 “, Depth: 23 5/8 “, Height: 30 3/4 “)

Seems very practical. IKEA’s Sunnersta mini-kitchen + utility cart and Algot closet storage solution will look quite clean and minimal together. It will work really well with Tillerda portable induction hob and fridge. Would you agree? Please let me know here or leave a comment below.