ᐅ Are there ways to retrofit soft-closing dampers to IKEA Hemnes drawers?

Hello everyone, I have several Hemnes dressers from IKEA in my apartment and am generally satisfied with them. However, I miss having a soft-close mechanism on the drawers, which is often standard on modern furniture. My question is: Are there practical ways to retrofit my Hemnes drawers with soft-close dampers without significantly affecting their functionality or appearance? I am looking for solutions that work with original accessories as well as sensible alternatives that can be installed by myself. It is important to me that the retrofit can be done cleanly and securely, as I do not want to replace the furniture. Does anyone have experience with this topic or specific recommendations? Thanks in advance!

Hello TARDI,

I also have Hemnes furniture at home and can understand why you want soft-close drawers – it’s not only convenient but also protects the furniture. You can retrofit Hemnes drawers with so-called "push-to-close" dampers, which are also available as accessories from IKEA. Installation usually requires cutting out or drilling the side walls of the drawer, depending on how the system is installed.

Alternatively, there are damping inserts that can be attached to the drawer slides. These are easier to install but often don’t have the same effect as integrated dampers. It’s important to check the dimensions of your drawers before buying and see which option fits best.

Another option is external soft-close drawer slides that completely replace the old ones and come with built-in damping. However, these are usually more expensive and require precise measurements.

If you like, I can share some manufacturer recommendations or installation tips later.

Josan schrieb:
You can retrofit Hemnes drawers with so-called "push-to-close" dampers, which are also available from IKEA as accessories.

I wouldn’t put it that way, as far as I know, IKEA does not officially offer a push-to-close system specifically for Hemnes. You should carefully check whether these accessories actually fit Hemnes, since IKEA’s drawer constructions vary.

There are universal dampers from third-party suppliers, but they must be precisely compatible; otherwise, they won’t work properly or may damage the furniture. I find a simple retrofit without real modification unlikely, especially with Hemnes, because the drawers are built with wooden slats at the front and back that make installation difficult.

What do you think: how much effort would it take to replace the original drawer slides with soft-close slides? I suspect this might be the proper solution, but it is probably time-consuming and not inexpensive.

I would appreciate a cost-benefit evaluation and experience reports from those who have done this.

Hello everyone,

I would like to contribute to the discussion with a practical solution based on my own experience. Retrofitting dampers on Hemnes drawers works best when you replace the existing metal or wooden runners with soft-close drawer slides. Here is a step-by-step installation guide:

- Completely remove the drawer
- Remove the old runners (usually by unscrewing them)
- Measure and accurately align the new soft-close slides (this is important for proper closing)
- Mount the slides on the cabinet and the drawer
- Test the function and adjust if necessary

Typical mistakes occur when the slides are screwed in crooked or the spacing to the cabinet is incorrect – this can cause binding or improper closing.

If you prefer a less invasive option, there are adhesive dampers that cushion the drawer’s closing position. However, these are more of a temporary fix and do not provide the full soft-close functionality.

My advice: Invest in good-quality soft-close slides, for example from Blum. They are a bit more expensive but durable and come with clear installation instructions. Although it requires some effort, the result is convincing and significantly improves comfort.

If you have questions about the exact installation, I’m happy to help.

REPITAR schrieb:
Retrofitting dampers on Hemnes drawers works best when you replace the existing metal or wooden runners with soft-close slides.

That sums it up well. Regarding retrofitting dampers without changing the runners: it is very labor-intensive and usually not reliably durable.

Most people here simply want noise reduction and a smooth closing motion. That’s why switching to soft-close slides is the most practical solution.