The Complete Guide to IKEA's SEKTION Cabinet System

The Complete Guide to IKEA's SEKTION Cabinet System

IKEA's SEKTION cabinet system is the backbone of every IKEA kitchen in North America. Understanding how it works, what sizes are available, and how the components fit together will help you plan a better kitchen and avoid costly mistakes. This guide covers everything from basic anatomy to advanced configurations.

What Is SEKTION?

SEKTION is IKEA's modular kitchen cabinet system, available in North America since 2015. It replaced the older AKURUM system with several improvements:

• More size options
• Better mounting system (suspension rail for wall cabinets)
• Improved hardware quality
• Greater compatibility with accessories

The name comes from the Swedish word for "section," reflecting the modular, building-block approach. If you're curious about the European equivalent, check our METOD vs SEKTION comparison.

SEKTION Cabinet Sizes

Understanding available sizes is essential for kitchen planning.

#### Base Cabinets

• Widths: 12", 15", 18", 21", 24", 30", 36"
• Height: 30" (standard)
• Depth: 24" (standard)
• Sink base widths: 30", 36"
• Corner base: 47" x 28" (for blind corner or lazy Susan)

#### Wall Cabinets

• Widths: 12", 15", 18", 21", 24", 30", 36"
• Heights: 15", 20", 30", 40"
• Depth: 12" (standard), 24" (over refrigerator)
• Corner wall: 26" x 26"

#### Tall Cabinets (Pantry/Oven)

• Widths: 24", 30"
• Heights: 80", 90"
• Depth: 24"

#### Special Cabinets

• Refrigerator cabinet: 36" wide, 24" deep, 80" or 90" tall
• Microwave cabinet: Various sizes with built-in shelf
• Wine rack inserts: Fits inside standard base or wall cabinets

The SEKTION Mounting System

One of the best features of SEKTION is the wall-mounting system.

#### Suspension Rail (Wall Cabinets)

Instead of screwing each cabinet individually into wall studs, SEKTION wall cabinets hang on a metal suspension rail:

1. The rail is screwed into studs across the entire run of wall cabinets
2. Metal brackets inside each cabinet hook onto the rail
3. Adjustment screws allow you to fine-tune position up/down and in/out

Advantages:

• Weight is distributed across the entire rail, not just at individual screw points
• Cabinets can be slid left or right before tightening
• Level adjustment is easy even after cabinets are hung
• Works well on various wall types, including the plaster walls common in older NYC apartments

#### Base Cabinet Legs

Base cabinets sit on adjustable plastic legs:

• Four legs per cabinet (six for wider cabinets)
• Each leg adjusts independently for leveling
• Legs elevate the cabinet, creating space for toekicks and protecting against water damage
• Standard leg height: 4" (adjustable from 4" to 4-3/4")

Planning Your SEKTION Kitchen

#### Standard Dimensions to Know

• Standard counter height: 36" (30" cabinet + 4" legs + 1.5" countertop)
• Standard backsplash area: 18" (distance between countertop and bottom of wall cabinets)
• Wall cabinet height: Bottom of wall cabinet is typically at 54" from floor
• Top of wall cabinet: Depends on cabinet height (15", 20", 30", or 40")

#### Common Configurations

Galley Kitchen:

Two parallel runs of cabinets. Base cabinets on both sides with wall cabinets on one or both. This is extremely common in NYC apartments, especially in pre-war buildings.

L-Shaped Kitchen:

Cabinets along two adjacent walls. Requires a corner solution for both base and wall cabinets. Corner base cabinets with a lazy Susan maximize otherwise dead space.

U-Shaped Kitchen:

Cabinets along three walls. Provides the most storage and counter space. Requires two corner solutions.

Kitchen with Island:

Base cabinets configured as a freestanding island. IKEA offers island-specific accessories including cover panels for the back and sides.

Essential SEKTION Accessories

The right accessories transform SEKTION cabinets from basic boxes into highly functional storage:

#### MAXIMERA Drawers

• Full-extension soft-close drawers
• Available in low (3"), medium (6"), and high (8") heights
• Can be stacked within a single cabinet frame
• Internal dividers available for utensils and organization

#### UTRUSTA Internal Organizers

• Pull-out shelves for base cabinets
• Lazy Susan for corner cabinets
• Pull-out recycling/trash bin frames
• Under-sink organizers
• Plate holders and spice racks

#### Lighting (OMLOPP / IRSTA)

• LED under-cabinet lights
• In-drawer lights
• LED spotlights for inside glass-door cabinets
• Integrated power supply concealed inside cabinets

Installation Tips from the Pros

After hundreds of SEKTION installations, here are our top tips:

#### Before You Start

1. Check your walls - Use a stud finder to map all studs. Mark them clearly. In NYC apartments with plaster-and-lath walls, studs can be irregularly spaced.
2. Check your floors - Use a level across the entire kitchen floor. Note high and low spots. Your highest point determines your starting reference for base cabinets.
3. Measure twice - Verify that your IKEA plan matches your actual kitchen dimensions. Even 1/4" discrepancies matter.

#### During Assembly

1. Use a power drill with a low torque setting. Over-tightening cam locks is the number one assembly mistake.
2. Keep hardware organized - Each box contains hardware bags. Open them into labeled containers.
3. Square each cabinet - Measure diagonals before attaching the back panel. A squared cabinet hangs and aligns better.

#### During Installation

1. Install the suspension rail perfectly level - Everything depends on this. Use a laser level if possible.
2. Start wall cabinets from a corner and work outward.
3. Start base cabinets from the highest point of the floor.
4. Use clamps to hold adjacent cabinets together while connecting them.
5. Don't forget to seal around plumbing penetrations inside the sink base cabinet.

Common SEKTION Mistakes to Avoid

• Not ordering enough filler strips - You almost always need more than the plan says
• Forgetting cover panels - Exposed sides of cabinets need a cover panel to match your door fronts
• Ignoring ventilation requirements - Built-in ovens and microwaves need specific clearances
• Skipping the toekick - It's the finishing touch that makes the kitchen look professional

For a deeper dive into mistakes, see our installation mistakes guide.

Why SEKTION Works

The SEKTION system succeeds because of its modularity. You can create nearly any kitchen layout by combining standard components. It's not infinitely flexible like custom cabinetry, but it covers the vast majority of kitchen configurations at a fraction of the cost. And because it's standardized, replacement parts are always available and future modifications are straightforward.

If you need help planning or installing your SEKTION kitchen, our team has extensive experience with every configuration. We serve the entire NYC metro area and New Jersey. Reach out for a consultation.