Hey there, furniture lover! If you‘re anything like me, you appreciate the affordable practicality of IKEA, but sometimes crave a bit more personality in your space. Sound familiar? Then let me introduce you to a game-changer: Norse Interiors.
This innovative company is helping design-savvy folks like us upgrade our basic IKEA pieces with custom doors, fronts, and finishes. The result? Unique, stylish furniture that looks way more expensive than it is. I‘ve personally used Norse for several projects (more on that later), and I‘m consistently blown away by the quality.
In this in-depth Norse Interiors review, I‘ll give you the full scoop on:
- What exactly Norse offers and how it works
- The product selection and customization options
- How Norse compares to other IKEA upgrade services
- My honest take on the ordering process and results
- What other customers and designers have to say
- Insider tips for styling Norse pieces in your home
By the end, you‘ll have all the info you need to decide if Norse is right for your next furniture refresh. Let‘s dive in!
What is Norse Interiors?
At its core, Norse Interiors allows you to personalize popular IKEA furniture with custom doors, drawer fronts, side panels, and other elements. You start with a basic IKEA frame (like a BESTA shelf or SEKTION kitchen cabinet) and then choose from Norse‘s array of stylish fronts and finishes to create a one-of-a-kind piece.
The brand was founded by Swedish native Lotta Lundaas, who moved to the US and was underwhelmed by the generic furniture options here. She missed the simple yet stylish Scandinavian design of her home country, which is how Norse Interiors was born.
By focusing on solid wood materials and clean, modern designs, Norse helps you achieve that coveted Scandi look on a budget. And as Lundaas explains, "Upcycling used IKEA pieces reduces waste and promotes a more sustainable way of living. We want to give people the tools to create beautiful spaces that are uniquely theirs." Love that mission!
Norse Interiors‘ Product Selection
So, what types of IKEA furniture can you actually customize with Norse? The short answer: a LOT. Let‘s break it down.
Storage & Shelving
- BESTA sideboards and cabinets
- SEKTION wall cabinets
- EKET modular shelving
- PAX wardrobes
- MALM dressers and chests
Living & Dining
- BESTÅ media units
- METOD kitchen islands
- HAVSTA cabinets and sideboards
- HEMNES sideboards and glass-door cabinets
Office & Organization
- ALEX desks and drawer units
- GALANT storage units
- IVAR shelving units
- KALLAX shelving units
…and that‘s just scratching the surface! Within each of these categories, Norse offers dozens of front styles, materials, and finishes to choose from. Some of my favorites:
| Front Style | Finishes | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Cane webbing | Natural, Light, Dark | $40 – $250 |
| Slatted wood | Oak, Ash, Walnut, Whitewash | $65 – $500 |
| Shaker | 20+ painted colors | $100 – $750 |
| Modern slab | White, Gray, Black, Navy, Green | $50 – $600 |
As you can see, there‘s a wide range of price points depending on the size and complexity of the piece. On average, I‘d estimate that using Norse fronts roughly doubles the cost of the original IKEA item, which is still a bargain compared to buying a similar piece new.
Here‘s a specific example to give you an idea. Let‘s say you start with a 23 5/8 x 15 3/4" SEKTION wall cabinet from IKEA, which costs $64 as of 2023.
If you add a set of Norse Cane Doors in Natural for $360 + a Solid Ash Side for $80, your total cost would be around $504.
That‘s pricier than the original IKEA piece alone, but you‘re getting a stylish, custom cane-front cabinet made of solid wood. A similar piece from a high-end retailer like Crate & Barrel or West Elm could easily cost $1,000+.
How Norse Interiors Works
Now that you have a sense of the product selection, let‘s talk about how the ordering process works. Norse has a super user-friendly website that guides you through every step. Here‘s the gist:
- Select your IKEA furniture series (BESTA, SEKTION, PAX, etc.)
- Choose your unit‘s dimensions from the dropdown menus
- Pick your front style, finish, and quantity
- Add any additional elements like side panels, toe kicks, legs, etc.
- Review your selections and add to cart!
The site automatically shows you which options are compatible with your specific IKEA unit, so there‘s no guesswork involved. And if you need extra guidance, Norse offers free design consultations where a stylist can help you choose fronts and finishes to suit your space.
Once you place your order, Norse gets to work hand-crafting your custom pieces in their New Jersey workshop. The whole process typically takes 3-4 weeks from order to delivery.
Now, the IKEA furniture itself isn‘t included with your Norse order – you‘ll need to purchase that separately. But Norse provides detailed guides on exactly which IKEA frames to buy for a seamless experience.
When your Norse pieces arrive, you‘ll assemble the IKEA frame and then attach the Norse doors and elements according to the included instructions. It‘s honestly a breeze – even for DIY newbies.
My Experience with Norse Interiors
You‘re probably wondering, "But is it actually simple to install? And does the quality live up to the hype?" Having ordered from Norse Interiors multiple times now, I can confidently say YES.
My first Norse project was upgrading an old BESTÅ sideboard in my dining room. I had inherited the basic white unit from a friend, but it looked a bit too plain for the space.
I decided to give it a moody makeover with Norse‘s black slab fronts and some chic brass pulls. The whole order came to around $350.
The pieces arrived carefully packaged and the instructions were super clear. I was able to remove the old BESTÅ doors and click the new Norse ones into place in under 30 minutes. And wow, what a difference it made!
The matte black doors instantly elevated the look and made the sideboard feel like an intentional design choice instead of an afterthought. I‘ve had the piece for almost a year now and the finish still looks flawless – no chips or scratches.
Since then, I‘ve also used Norse fronts to customize a PAX wardrobe in my guest room and a freestanding SEKTION pantry in my kitchen. In each case, I was thrilled with how easy the process was and how luxe the final product looked.
Norse Interiors vs. Other IKEA Hacking Companies
Norse Interiors isn‘t the only company offering aftermarket fronts for IKEA furniture these days. A few other notable brands in the space:
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Semihandmade: Known for their sleek, modern doors in real wood veneers and textured melamines. Pricier than Norse.
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Reform: Danish company with a focus on architect-collabs and high-end finishes like marble and brass. Even pricier than Semihandmade.
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Plykea: UK-based brand specializing in plywood fronts for METOD and PAX. Super affordable but a bit more limited selection compared to Norse.
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Dendra Doors: Another American company with a range of solid wood, paintable, and laminate fronts. Similar pricing to Norse.
I chose Norse Interiors for my own home because I appreciated the balance of style, quality, and affordability. The solid wood construction is a step up from the laminate and thermofoil options at some competitors.
I also like that Norse has such a wide variety of front styles, from classic Shaker to modern slab to on-trend materials like rattan and slatted wood. It allows me to create truly custom pieces for any room rather than being pigeonholed into one look.
Of course, the "best" IKEA door company is the one that aligns with your personal style and budget. But I‘ve been consistently impressed with Norse‘s selection, service, and results in my experience.
What Other Norse Interiors Customers Are Saying
You don‘t just have to take my word for it – Norse Interiors has glowing reviews from customers across the web. On the brand‘s site, they have a stellar 4.9 average rating based on 400+ reviews. A few highlights:
"The quality is outstanding and the customer service is even better. I had a few questions about installation and the Norse team was so patient and helpful. My BESTA unit looks like a million bucks now!" – Jenna L.
"I cannot believe the difference Norse doors made in my kitchen. The cabinet color is so rich and luxe-looking – you‘d never guess the base was from IKEA! Worth every penny." – Marco T.
"Norse Interiors was the perfect solution for my awkward living room built-ins. I sent them dimensions and they created custom fronts that fit like a glove. So much easier than building something from scratch!" – Kai R.
Norse also has a 4.7 average rating on Houzz and a 4.5 average rating on Facebook. Several customers shared impressive before-and-after photos demonstrating how Norse helped them transform basic IKEA pieces into stunning focal points.
Negative reviews are few and far between, but a couple customers mentioned longer-than-expected shipping times during peak periods. Something to keep in mind if you‘re working under a tight deadline.
On the whole, the consistent theme is that Norse delivers top-notch quality and service for the price. Many customers (myself included) say they would happily order from the company again.
How to Style Your Norse Interiors
One of the perks of using Norse Interiors is that you can create completely one-of-a-kind pieces tailored to your space. That said, here are a few general tips I‘ve learned for making the most of these upgraded IKEA hacks:
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Mix and match fronts. There‘s no rule saying you have to use the same style front on every part of your IKEA unit. For a cool color-blocked look, consider using one finish on the top doors and drawers and a different one on the bottom.
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Add decorative elements. Norse offers chic leg and handle options that can take your piece to the next level. I‘m partial to mid-century style tapered legs and understated brass knobs.
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Get matchy-matchy. Have an existing wood tone in your space that you want to echo? Norse‘s wide selection of wood varieties and finishes makes it easy to coordinate your IKEA hack with flooring, trim, or other furniture.
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Go bold with paint. If you want to make a statement, Norse‘s paintable doors are an excellent option. Buy them unfinished and then coat them in a punchy hue that suits your decor style, like navy for a preppy look or hunter green for an earthy vibe.
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Embrace natural texture. From caning to linen to rattan, Norse has a variety of fronts that bring visual and tactile interest to your furniture. I love using these pieces in bathrooms and bedrooms for a spa-like effect.
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Create a "built-in" look. Have an awkward nook or bare stretch of wall? Flank a pair of BESTA or SEKTION units side by side and add Norse fronts for the look of custom built-in storage – at a fraction of the cost.
The fun of Norse pieces is that they‘re endlessly adaptable. Don‘t be afraid to get creative and experiment until you land on a combo that feels like "you."
The Final Word on Norse Interiors
Phew, that was a lot of info! To recap, here are the key points from this Norse Interiors deep-dive:
- Norse Interiors offers stylish doors, drawer fronts, side panels, and more to help you upgrade basic IKEA furniture
- There are options for storage, wardrobe, kitchen, bathroom, office, and dining pieces
- Norse uses solid wood materials and focuses on Scandinavian-inspired design
- The customization process is easy, with a user-friendly website and free design help
- An upgraded IKEA piece from Norse is more affordable than similar items from high-end retailers
- Customers rave about the products and service, with an average 4.9-star rating
- Norse stands out from other IKEA door companies for their balance of quality, style, and price
All in all, I firmly believe that Norse Interiors is a fantastic resource for anyone looking to elevate an IKEA-centric home. The thoughtful designs, attainable prices, and sustainable ethos make it a brand I feel great supporting.
As a busy mom juggling play dates and PTA meetings, I appreciate that Norse allows me to create designer-looking furniture at a pace and budget that works for me. No more stressing about how to hide that basic MALM dresser before hosting book club!
From a single statement piece to a full fitted wall unit, there are so many possibilities to explore with Norse Interiors in your home. And with their stellar reviews and reasonable prices, you can feel confident taking the leap.
So, are you ready to bring some custom Scandi style to your space? Head to norseinteriors.com to start building your dream IKEA hack today!
And if you have any other questions about the ins and outs of Norse Interiors, drop a comment below – I‘m always happy to share my experience with a fellow furniture fanatic.
Until next time, happy decorating!
Your trusty gal pal,
[Your name]
