ᐅ How can I retrofit Ikea Hemnes drawers with soft-close slides?

Hello everyone, I am planning to retrofit my IKEA Hemnes dresser with soft-close drawer slides to prevent the drawers from slamming shut. As far as I know, IKEA does not offer a soft-close drawer slide retrofit kit specifically for the Hemnes series. My question is: What options are available for installing soft-close slides as an aftermarket upgrade?

- Is it possible to simply use suitable soft-close slides from a hardware store, or are there specific dimensions or mounting details of the Hemnes drawers that need to be considered?
- Are there any recommended brands or models that work well as a retrofit solution?
- How complicated is the installation, especially for someone who has never replaced the drawer slides before?

I look forward to your experiences and advice!

Hello Randallna8,

Regarding your question about how to retrofit IKEA Hemnes drawers with soft-close slides, here is a structured answer:

1. Take measurements: Hemnes drawers have fairly standard dimensions, but the slides are not originally designed for soft-close installation. This means you need to measure the interior space carefully—especially the depth and height of the drawer as well as the side clearance for the slides.

2. Obtain retrofit kits: The best option is so-called soft-close mounting slides for wooden drawers. These are attached inside on the sides of the dresser. Make sure the slides are suitable for the required load capacity and drawer height.

3. Remove the existing guides: Hemnes uses simple wooden ball guides or metal runners without soft-close. These need to be carefully removed.

4. Install the soft-close slides: The new slides can be fastened with screws. It is important to align them precisely so the drawer operates smoothly afterward.

5. Possible adjustments to the drawer: Sometimes the sides of the drawer need slight modifications or drilling to accommodate the new slides.

In summary: it is definitely doable, but you should prepare tools (drill, screwdriver, possibly a tape measure and a square) and work carefully. I recommend brands like Hettich or Blum, as their soft-close systems are sturdy and offer retrofit options.

If you need details such as interior measurements, I can gladly provide instructions on how to determine these best.

You can buy soft-close drawer slides from Blum, which usually fit well. Remove the drawer, take out the old slide, attach the new slide with screws, and you’re done.

KODAN32 schrieb:
1. Taking measurements: The Hemnes drawers have relatively simple standard dimensions, but the rails are not originally designed for installing soft-close mechanisms.

That’s a valid point. However, it’s important to consider whether retrofitting will increase the load on the existing construction. In some retrofit solutions, the sliding behavior changes significantly, which in more affordable models might lead to reduced durability.

Also: Has anyone checked if the term "soft-close" is sometimes just marketing? Because some slides only soften the close slightly or have other practical drawbacks.

CORYGAU schrieb:
Also: Has anyone already checked if the term "Soft-Close" is sometimes just marketing?

Thank you, that’s an interesting point. I had assumed that Soft-Close from Hettich or Blum actually provides a reliable closing function, not just minimal damping. Are there any specific experiences or recommendations that confirm these brands?

KODAN32 schrieb:
If you’re missing details like internal dimensions, I can gladly write you a guide on how to best measure them.

Yes, that would be great. I want to make sure I buy the right drawers and don’t have problems later.

randallna8 schrieb:
Yes, that would be great, I want to make sure I buy the correct drawer slides and avoid any issues later on.

Here is a brief guide for measuring:

- Drawer width: Measure the inside width of the drawer from one side to the other, and also measure the internal width of the cabinet where the slide will be mounted.
- Depth: Measure the internal depth of the dresser from front to back.
- Drawer height: Needed to select the appropriate slide height.

For soft-close slides from hardware stores, standard sizes often apply, e.g., 350 mm (14 inches), 400 mm (16 inches), 450 mm (18 inches), and so on. It is important that the slide length matches or slightly exceeds the drawer depth.

One more tip: Some soft-close systems require minimum clearances to the side walls, usually 12–17 mm (0.5–0.7 inches) per side. This can be tight for dressers like Hemnes with thick side panels.

Finally, I recommend branded solutions such as Blum MOVENTO or Hettich Quadro, which come with high-quality mounting rails and dampers. These are somewhat more expensive options but operate very quietly and reliably.