ᐅ How sturdy is the IKEA BRIMNES when used daily?

Created on: 1 Aug 2022 09:47
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clemensri
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clemensri
1 Aug 2022 09:47
Hello everyone, I am currently considering getting the IKEA Brimnes furniture piece, but I plan to use it daily and quite intensively. My main concern is how stable the furniture really is with everyday use.

Specifically, I am interested in its durability under continuous use, including the strain from frequent opening and closing of the drawers as well as occasional moving.

Does anyone have long-term experience or can share insights about the workmanship and possible weak points? I would prefer not to end up with loose parts or damaged fittings shortly after purchasing.

Thank you very much for your feedback!
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Saramar
1 Aug 2022 10:18
I have been using my BRIMNES bed daily for over a year now. So far, there have been no wobbles or broken parts. The drawers still run smoothly. It is important to assemble it correctly and not to overload it.
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Palenar
1 Aug 2022 11:32
Hello clemensri,

Your question about the stability of the IKEA BRIMNES with daily use is very valid and, in my opinion, is best answered by looking at the construction and materials.

- The BRIMNES system mainly uses medium-density fiberboard (MDF) with a durable coating, which generally provides a solid base.
- The joints are mostly connected with dowels, screws, and special metal fittings, which, when assembled correctly, are quite stable and durable.

However:

Since MDF is used instead of solid wood, it is more sensitive to moisture and mechanical stress at the edges.

Daily use with frequent opening of the drawers can, over time, cause the fittings to loosen – I recommend regularly tightening the screws here.

Do you already have specific ideas on how you want to use the furniture? For example: Will it serve as a bed with additional storage or purely as a wardrobe? That can affect the load and stress.

Also, consider whether you will assemble the furniture yourself or have a professional do it. Errors during assembly significantly increase the risk of instability.

Regarding moving the unit: BRIMNES is not designed to be moved frequently. This can cause screws to wear out or damage the feet.

I hope this helps you for now. If you like, I can also provide tips on assembly and maintenance.
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elgla
1 Aug 2022 15:26
I find your question very important, clemensri. Furniture like this really puts your patience to the test in everyday use.

I have had a BRIMNES bed in my bedroom for about 18 months now, and we use the drawers daily. At first, I was skeptical about whether it would really hold up, especially since I live with children who aren’t always gentle.
Saramar schrieb:
I have been using my BRIMNES bed daily for over a year. So far, no wobbling or broken parts.

I can confirm this—so far, I haven’t had any problems either, but I do make sure, for example, that the drawers are not overloaded.

Sometimes I worry that the MDF edges might swell if liquid spills on them, but up to now I have been careful with cleaning and have been lucky.

Personally, I believe that anyone who uses this piece with some care will be satisfied. How important is appearance to you over the years when you talk about stability?
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Thierryzar
2 Aug 2022 08:04
I have been using the BRIMNES for about two years now. The stability is good, and the drawers work without any problems. You just shouldn’t put too much weight on it or sit or jump on the furniture.
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Palenar
2 Aug 2022 12:59
A few more thoughts on stability:

- Make sure to use wall mounting during assembly to prevent tipping hazards and to further stabilize the furniture.
- If the drawers are loaded too heavily, the fittings will wear out faster, which can cause them to become difficult to open and close.
- I recommend regular maintenance: check the screws, tighten them if necessary, and if needed, lubricate the drawer slides with an appropriate lubricant.
elgla schrieb:
Sometimes I worry that the MDF edges might still swell if any liquid spills nearby

That is a valid concern because while the coating provides some protection, prolonged or excessive moisture can damage the edges. It helps to wipe up any spills immediately.

I wonder which BRIMNES model exactly you mean? It comes as a wardrobe, bed, or chest of drawers – the stresses and loads vary significantly.