Meet an IKEA Kitchen Planner

Ron Thompson is the Shopkeeper of the Kitchen Department in the IKEA Atlanta store. Here's what he told us about his background and his favorite products and customer stories.

How long have you been at IKEA?

I started working at IKEA in 2001. I've been at IKEA Atlanta for three years — since it opened. We've had the same great staff for three years. No one has left, just been promoted or moved up.

What kind of training did you go through to become a kitchen planner? And how did you get into kitchens?

I worked with my family on home renovations growing up. My father used to do remodeling, so I had seen a lot of what works and what doesn't. My brother is an architect and I learned computer-assisted design (CAD) from him. I came to IKEA because a friend who worked for the company recommended it. I started at the entry level, bringing in kitchen orders. I eventually went from the warehouse to the kitchen department.

What's the most important thing people should keep in mind when planning a kitchen?

Think long term. Consider celebrations and other events. A lot will happen in this room, so make it what you want it to be. You have a blank canvas and can fill it according to your own specifications.

What's the most popular kitchen product at your store?

The ADEL kitchen door — medium brown.

What's your favorite customer story about kitchens?

There's more than one. We've had a couple in their 70s pay a contractor to take out their previous kitchen and then they put up their IKEA kitchen themselves. We had a young lady — a single mother with a limited budget — purchase an IKEA kitchen and put it together piece by piece, from door to door. Through our work in the community, we recently designed and donated a kitchen to a deceased firefighter's family so the widow could provide home-cooked meals for her children.

Do you have an IKEA kitchen?

Yes. And my mother has half of an IKEA kitchen, and my brother and uncle have IKEA kitchens that I helped design.

Which kitchen appliance best reflects your personality and why?

The new IKEA 36-inch dual-fuel range. It has both gas and electric, so it's versatile and can handle anything.

What makes IKEA kitchens different?

They're easy to plan and put together. Anybody can hang cabinets using our innovative rail system, and our countertops screw right in. We even provide DVD instructions. Contractors once had a lock on this corner of the market, but we've made it made it easy and affordable. The kitchen pieces come in all price ranges. We also flat pack our shipments — this takes up less space and reduces the delivery fee.

Does IKEA help with delivery and assembly?

Yes. We have long-haul and local delivery. IKEA kitchen contractors have ala carte service. They will do as little or as much of the work as you want.

Click here to visit the IKEA kitchen planner.