ᐅ IKEA Metod: How to Make Soft-Close Cabinet Doors Yourself

Hello everyone, I am currently planning to equip the doors of my IKEA Metod kitchen cabinet with a soft-close function – however, I want to make the doors myself to create a more personalized look. My specific question is: How can I manufacture doors for the Metod kitchen that will technically function so that the soft-close damping works reliably? I am looking for tips on material selection, precise installation of the hinges, and especially on installing the soft-close mechanism so that the doors close smoothly and do not rattle. Are there any special methods or tools you would recommend? Thanks in advance for your experiences!

It is best to use MDF boards, as they are stable and smooth. For the hinges, be sure to use concealed hinges with an integrated soft-close feature. Drill the hinge cups cleanly and precisely, preferably using a hinge drilling jig. The dampers are usually mounted directly and are often included with the hinges.

I recommend paying close attention to the exact drilling depth and the correct spacing of the hinges. Especially for self-built doors, precise cutting is crucial to ensure the soft-close function works smoothly. Use a high-quality drilling jig for cup hinges and double-check the door measurements multiple times. Regarding materials: MDF is a good choice, but also consider whether you want a painted finish, as this increases the complexity of the manufacturing process somewhat.

emmett schrieb:
It’s best to use MDF boards, as they are sturdy and smooth.

Thanks, using MDF sounds reasonable. Could you also tell me if there are significant quality differences among soft-close hinges? I noticed that IKEA offers its own soft-close hinges, but third-party suppliers have cheaper options as well. Based on your experience, is there one you would recommend?

anken schrieb:
I recommend paying close attention to the exact drilling depth and the proper spacing of the hinges.

This seems to be one of the critical points for me. How do you handle this if you don’t have an expensive drilling jig? Is it possible to measure it accurately enough by hand, or is it clearly worth investing in a tool for this?

This is a great topic—I struggled with this exact challenge for a long time. The issue of soft-close hinges should not be underestimated, especially when making furniture yourself. I know how frustrating it can be when the doors slam or don’t close properly.

larissa45 schrieb:
Based on your experience, is there a preferred option?

In my experience, the original soft-close hinges from IKEA are quite reliable and precisely engineered in terms of fit. Third-party options may be tempting price-wise, but they often lack fine adjustment. I was never able to achieve the same quality with cheap hinges.

larissa45 schrieb:
How do you handle it if you don’t have an expensive drilling jig?

If you don’t have a drilling jig, I would recommend a careful and patient approach: measure, mark, and especially work slowly with a circular saw and a stepped drill bit. Of course, there is a risk of inaccuracy, but for me, it was always a learning process that improved over time. Stay patient—the doors usually finish their closing smoothly thanks to the soft-close mechanism.

That sounds like a great challenge. I once tried customizing Metod doors myself and know that it doesn’t always go smoothly. I think it’s important to take your time sanding and aligning the doors evenly. Regarding soft-close: I’ve had good results when testing the damping strength beforehand to see how strong it should be – sometimes simply adjusting it at the hinge is enough.

Friedrich schrieb:
Stay patient, the doors usually finish their last bit gently thanks to the soft-close.

Exactly, and if it’s not perfect right away, don’t get discouraged!