ᐅ Is it possible to expand Ikea BRIMNES drawers afterwards?

One step back: The Brimnes system, like most Ikea models, is designed for easy self-assembly. The carcass panels are pre-drilled, and the drawer slides are specially adapted. If you want to extend the dresser, two aspects need to be considered:

- Fit accuracy: The new side panels and drill holes must match the existing carcass exactly.
- Drawer slides: Ikea slides are not freely interchangeable. They must be cut to the exact length and require the correct mounting points.

If you only want to add extra drawers, it is usually technically easier to place a new unit next to it and visually match it. Alternatively, you can extend individual drawer inserts with a custom construction, but this requires craftsmanship skills and precise planning.

What exactly is your goal – should it be a wider dresser with more drawers, or some other type of extension?

Nathanaelk schrieb:
How exactly is your goal – do you want a wide dresser with more drawers, or some other kind of extension?

Thanks for the input! My goal is actually more to have a wide unit with additional drawers, not just a second piece of furniture next to it, but a solid connection that looks and functions as a single unit. I would like to avoid the individual parts standing loosely side by side or an awkward gap forming. If there is a way to expand or in a way “attach” to the main cabinet, that would be ideal.

From a technical standpoint, BRIMNES chests of drawers are not designed for later expansion. Their modularity is limited because the panels are precisely drilled and multiple fasteners and rails are custom-fitted. Enlarging the cabinet afterwards requires:

- precisely cut wood panels (preferably with CNC or carpentry equipment)
- adjustment of drill holes for fittings and rails
- use of appropriate screws and connectors to ensure stability

It is recommended to either purchase a second, identical BRIMNES unit and join them with a custom-made cover or connector panel, or to use fully custom-built solutions. For straightforward expansions in the form of an attachment, Ikea does not provide a designated solution, and modifying the existing furniture parts often leads to stability issues and voids the warranty.

Just a quick note: drawers from individual units of the BRIMNES series cannot be simply screwed together. If you want more storage space, it's better to buy a second piece of furniture and visually combine them. I have not seen or done a stable extension on the same cabinet frame.

So, if you see this more as a challenge: Why not drill into the inside panels of the dresser and use wooden battens (e.g., construction battens) to connect them? In theory, you can join two carcasses this way, the gap will be minimal, and with a few screws, it will hold together. But please: measure carefully beforehand and consider whether you can still easily slide the drawers in and out. And hey, if it doesn’t work out – at least you gave it a try! 😄

I would like to add that when connecting two office cabinets, special attention must be paid to the level of the drawers. There are often slight differences in height or deviations caused by installation to ensure proper function. With a fixed connection, this can lead to jamming. Therefore, before permanent installation, a provisional check should be made to ensure that all drawers are aligned on the same level.