ᐅ How can the Ikea BRIMNES be modified to provide additional storage space?

Hello everyone,

I’m currently thinking about how to modify the Ikea Brimnes wardrobe or dressers to create more storage space. The furniture is quite compact and simple, but especially in smaller apartments, additional space is often hard to come by.

Specifically, I’m interested in whether there are practical DIY methods to add shelves, intermediate panels, or drawers without compromising the structural stability or appearance too much. Maybe there are also clever ways to optimize the interior, for example with extra inserts or homemade organizer systems?

In short: How can Ikea BRIMNES be effectively modified to increase storage capacity without completely ruining its function or design? Looking forward to your ideas and experiences!

baugau schrieb:
I’m specifically interested in whether there are effective DIY methods to install shelves, intermediate boards, or drawers without significantly affecting structural integrity or aesthetics.

Hey, great question! 😄 I’ve worked with BRIMNES units myself before. My tip: just add a few narrow wooden boards as extra intermediate shelves. You can attach them with small brackets or even adjustable shelf supports that fit into the pre-drilled hole pattern.

This way, you make better use of the height inside the cabinets without a lot of cutting or drilling. Visually, it stays clean, and the added shelves look almost like original Ikea parts.

After sanding and applying a suitable finish, it looks awesome and is stable enough for clothes or books. Good luck with your modifications—you can never have enough storage! 😉

Hello everyone,

I’d like to add a small workshop approach for the BRIMNES renovation:

- First, I recommend measuring the exact dimensions of the interior compartments. This helps to create custom-fit shelves.
- For the shelves, plywood or MDF boards with a thickness of 1.5 cm (0.6 inches) are suitable – they are sturdy enough and easy to work with.
- If you use the original peg rows for the shelves, you can easily maintain flexibility.
- For more storage space in the drawers, you can cut and insert small dividers made from thinner wood to keep things organized.

Common mistake: Many people work without precise measurements beforehand, resulting in shelves that are crooked or too short/long. Just a few millimeters can make a significant difference here.

Finally: A bit of sanding and a matching paint finish visually integrate the renovation with the rest of the cabinet. It then looks like an original but provides much more storage space.

I hope this is helpful!

vin_leo schrieb:
insert a few narrow wooden boards as additional intermediate shelves

That sounds straightforward at first, but how about the stability? Especially with hanging fittings inside the cabinet, I can quickly see issues with bending if the boards are too thin or not properly secured.

Additionally, I would ask: Why remodel an Ikea BRIMNES instead of choosing a piece of furniture that inherently offers more storage? Considering effort versus benefit, the modification might be inefficient in terms of cost and time compared to alternative furniture options.

However, if the look or a particular style is important, then the remodel certainly makes sense. I’d be interested to know if anyone has actually measured the volume and storage gain from such a modification.

Curtis schrieb:
I’m curious if anyone has already measured the actual volume plus the extra storage space gained from the conversion.

Good point. I don’t have specific measurements or experience to share yet, but basically my goal is to optimize the existing volume as much as possible. So not necessarily increasing the volume itself – since the external dimensions are fixed – but creating more usable storage through smart layout.

Regarding stability: The BRIMNES furniture does have relatively thin walls, that’s true, so for shelves you need to use stronger materials or add reinforcements.

Is there anyone here who has already tried such a conversion and can offer advice on appropriate material thickness or fastening methods?

baugau schrieb:
Anyone here who has tried a renovation like this and has tips on the right material thickness or fastening methods?

Yes, I have done this before. For BRIMNES, I usually use 18 mm (0.7 inch) furniture boards (particleboard, lacquered), which are more stable than thinner 12 mm (0.5 inch) boards or MDF. This prevents sagging even without additional supports.

Regarding fastening: Screws are usually difficult to use on the carcass because of the thin wall thickness, so I rely on:
- Original pre-drilled holes with metal shelf supports or
- Angle brackets and small screws on the side panels if you can easily screw from the outside.

Definitely avoid using glue alone, as the boards often won’t hold together properly. Even when drilling holes, the screws need to grip well and not just pull through the thin back panel.

Optional: Reinforce the edges with small battens for extra strength.

This makes the renovation more durable and stable without making the furniture wobbly.

Additional benefit: You can create custom compartments and organize things nicely this way.