Hello everyone,
I am currently planning to buy an Ikea Brimnes wardrobe model and am looking into how well or how tightly the doors actually close. My main question is: How tightly do the Ikea Brimnes doors close? I’m especially interested in whether the doors close flush, if air or light can pass through, and how stable and firm the closing mechanism is.
Has anyone had practical experience with this piece of furniture and can share whether the doors close securely, if there are any gaps, or if the doors change over time? Also, how is the noise when closing—do the doors slam shut or are there soft-close dampers installed?
I look forward to your insights and tips!
I am currently planning to buy an Ikea Brimnes wardrobe model and am looking into how well or how tightly the doors actually close. My main question is: How tightly do the Ikea Brimnes doors close? I’m especially interested in whether the doors close flush, if air or light can pass through, and how stable and firm the closing mechanism is.
Has anyone had practical experience with this piece of furniture and can share whether the doors close securely, if there are any gaps, or if the doors change over time? Also, how is the noise when closing—do the doors slam shut or are there soft-close dampers installed?
I look forward to your insights and tips!
The doors of the Ikea Brimnes wardrobe generally close quite tightly, but they are not completely airtight or soundproof. According to user assessments, the gaps are usually just a few millimeters wide, allowing some air to pass through, but no significant draft.
The closing mechanism uses magnetic catches that ensure a secure fit. However, this system relies more on magnetic holding rather than a mechanical lock or damping system. Brimnes models do not include dampers as standard, so the doors can produce a somewhat loud slamming noise when closed.
In practice, this means that for normal household use, the doors close sufficiently tightly, but one should not expect complete sealing against air or sound with Brimnes.
The closing mechanism uses magnetic catches that ensure a secure fit. However, this system relies more on magnetic holding rather than a mechanical lock or damping system. Brimnes models do not include dampers as standard, so the doors can produce a somewhat loud slamming noise when closed.
In practice, this means that for normal household use, the doors close sufficiently tightly, but one should not expect complete sealing against air or sound with Brimnes.
D
derrick3414 Oct 2022 10:03The doors close with magnets but are not completely airtight. The gaps are minimal, but some air can pass through. There are no dampers, so they close somewhat noisily.
N
Nathanaelk14 Oct 2022 12:45To thoroughly answer the question "How tightly do Ikea Brimnes doors close?", it is necessary to examine the construction in detail.
The Brimnes doors are equipped with magnetic catches that hold the doors closed but do not apply real mechanical pressure on them. This results in the doors not fitting flush against the frame, but closing with a minimal gap of approximately 2-3 mm (0.08-0.12 inches).
This gap is due to the material—usually coated MDF or particleboard—slightly expanding or contracting because of humidity and temperature changes. The hinges are simple butt hinges without any adjustment options to increase the pressure when closing.
The lack of seals or rubber buffers also means that air and light can pass through these small gaps. Users report that closing can be quite loud, since there are no built-in soft-close mechanisms. However, it is possible to retrofit self-adhesive dampers if you want to reduce the noise of the doors slamming.
Please specify in which room the cabinet is located. Is there a requirement for airtight or sound-insulating doors in that space? In that case, alternative models might be better suited.
The Brimnes doors are equipped with magnetic catches that hold the doors closed but do not apply real mechanical pressure on them. This results in the doors not fitting flush against the frame, but closing with a minimal gap of approximately 2-3 mm (0.08-0.12 inches).
This gap is due to the material—usually coated MDF or particleboard—slightly expanding or contracting because of humidity and temperature changes. The hinges are simple butt hinges without any adjustment options to increase the pressure when closing.
The lack of seals or rubber buffers also means that air and light can pass through these small gaps. Users report that closing can be quite loud, since there are no built-in soft-close mechanisms. However, it is possible to retrofit self-adhesive dampers if you want to reduce the noise of the doors slamming.
Please specify in which room the cabinet is located. Is there a requirement for airtight or sound-insulating doors in that space? In that case, alternative models might be better suited.
Thank you for the previous answers. For context: the wardrobe will be placed in a bedroom that is somewhat cooler and generally a bit dry. I don’t have specific requirements regarding sound insulation; my main concern is whether the contents of the wardrobe can be seen or smelled when the doors are closed – in other words, whether potential odors or dust can easily escape.
Therefore, I am interested in whether the gap you mentioned is large enough to see visually through the space between the doors, or if it is only minimal. It would also be relevant to know how this changes with extended use: does the gap change over time, or does the closing pressure eventually weaken?
Therefore, I am interested in whether the gap you mentioned is large enough to see visually through the space between the doors, or if it is only minimal. It would also be relevant to know how this changes with extended use: does the gap change over time, or does the closing pressure eventually weaken?
When purchasing an Ikea Brimnes piece, you get furniture of average quality for this price range.
Regarding the doors:
- Gaps typically measure between 2-4 mm (0.08-0.16 inches), which is fairly standard for flat-panel cabinet doors
- Light passes through these gaps, so when you are close enough, you can clearly see shadows or outlines
- Odors can escape as there is no airtight seal or gasket
- No built-in soft-close mechanism, so the door makes a noticeable noise if slammed
Over time, slight material deformations may occur, which do not significantly affect the fit, but adjustments to the hinges or retightening screws are usually limited with Ikea cabinet systems.
If you require a tight seal, Brimnes is probably not the best choice.
Regarding the doors:
- Gaps typically measure between 2-4 mm (0.08-0.16 inches), which is fairly standard for flat-panel cabinet doors
- Light passes through these gaps, so when you are close enough, you can clearly see shadows or outlines
- Odors can escape as there is no airtight seal or gasket
- No built-in soft-close mechanism, so the door makes a noticeable noise if slammed
Over time, slight material deformations may occur, which do not significantly affect the fit, but adjustments to the hinges or retightening screws are usually limited with Ikea cabinet systems.
If you require a tight seal, Brimnes is probably not the best choice.
Similar topics