ᐅ Are there any tips for retrofitting soft-close mechanisms on Ikea Pax drawers?

Hello everyone, I would like to retrofit soft-close dampers for my Ikea Pax drawers, as they currently close quite loudly and harshly. Are there any tips or experiences in this forum on the best way to do this? I prefer not to replace the entire drawer system and am looking for simple but effective retrofit solutions for damping elements that are compatible with the Pax drawers or can be easily adapted. I am also interested in whether it is possible to install the dampers without major disassembly and what to watch out for during installation to ensure everything fits properly and lasts a long time. Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

Hi ganile, your question is very practical – I have personally installed soft-close mechanisms on Pax drawers and can share a few tips.

First, it’s important to check which type you have: full-extension drawers or those with other types of slides. With full-extension slides like those from Blum or Hettich, you can usually retrofit or replace soft-close dampers.

- If your Pax drawers don’t have built-in damping elements, you can install small damper strips or blocks on the back or sides.
- There are also third-party retrofit kits available that can be easily attached with screws or adhesive.

Installation tips:
- Pull the drawer fully out and work from the back or the side.
- Pay attention to the position and alignment, otherwise the damping won’t work properly.
- Before final attachment with adhesive, check that it fits correctly.

If you have exact measurements or photos of the drawer, it’s easier to give more precise advice. Good luck!

I attached simple silicone dampers under the side of my Pax drawers. It works well, costs little, and is quick to do.

Super exciting topic! I upgraded my Pax drawers last year and can only say: soft-close dampers are an absolute game changer! No more loud bangs – it really makes everyday life more relaxing! ✨ The key is to be consistent and install the dampers correctly – then every drawer becomes a real pleasure 🤩! Don’t give up, it’s totally worth it!

Nabla64 schrieb:
Hi ganile, your question is very practical – I have installed soft-close mechanisms on Pax drawers myself and can share some tips.

Thanks, that already helps me a lot. Yes, I have the Pax drawers with the standard full-extension slides, but they are a few years old. Do you think it’s enough to install small damping strips on the inside, or would it be better to replace the mechanism in the drawer slides?

SETHBLA schrieb:
I glued simple silicone bumpers underneath the side of my Pax drawers. It works well, costs little, and is quick to do.

Which silicone bumper did you use? Is it a special product or just any rubber buffer?

Ganile, basically there are two options:

- Replacing the drawer slides with a soft-close system (more expensive and complex, but cleaner and more durable)
- Adding small dampers afterward (cheaper, easier, but depending on installation less precise)

For older Pax drawers with classic full-extension slides, retrofit kits for screwing or gluing are often the easiest solution, especially if you don’t want to replace the entire mechanism.

Regarding SETHBLA’s comment: silicone dampers are available at hardware stores as “furniture springs” or “damper buffers” – they are easy to install and significantly reduce rattling.

When installing, make sure the dampers are positioned cleanly and centered; otherwise, closing can cause edge wear or jamming.