ᐅ Is there a way to equip IKEA Brimnes furniture with smart locks?

Hello everyone,

I was wondering if there are practical options to equip the IKEA Brimnes wardrobe with smart locks. I am looking for a solution that is not only mechanically secure but also offers smart features, such as app control, temporary access for other users, or integration into an existing smart home system.

The wardrobe does not have doors with a traditional handle lock but rather sliding doors (or hinged doors, depending on the version). Therefore, I am curious if there are specific smart lock systems that can be installed on such doors without significantly affecting the appearance or requiring complex modifications.

Has anyone here had experience with such conversions? Maybe also with models from other manufacturers that are similar? Tips on security, installation, and compatibility would be very helpful. Thanks in advance!

emilyke schrieb:
I was wondering if there are practical ways to equip the IKEA Brimnes wardrobe with smart locks.

In principle, it is feasible, but as you mentioned, the Brimnes does not have traditional doors that can be locked. Here is a brief guide on how you can proceed:

- First: Decide whether you want to keep one of the doors locked permanently or just control access temporarily with a smart lock.
- For sliding doors, magnetic or electronic bolts mounted on the inside work well. There are products with Bluetooth or Wi-Fi that can be controlled remotely.
- Alternatively, you can combine a smart door sensor with an additional electric lock to secure only the opening of a hinged door.
- Important: Make sure that installation does not cause significant damage to the cabinet, as many smart locks are designed for standard doors.
- 3D-printed holders or adapters can help mount the lock properly.

In summary: You will probably need to do some tinkering, but with the right combination of a magnetic smart lock and possibly custom-made mounts, you can make the Brimnes smart. Pay attention to compatibility and battery life.

If you like, I can suggest some product options.

Nofege schrieb:
For sliding doors, magnetic or electronic bolts mounted on the inside are suitable, for example.

Exactly. I would recommend looking for Bluetooth-based magnetic bolts designed specifically for furniture. They are easy to install and can be integrated into your smart home system with minimal effort.

Bonus: You don’t need major modifications or wiring.

emilyke schrieb:
The cabinet doesn’t have traditional hinged doors with a standard handle lock but rather sliding doors (or folding doors, depending on the version). So I’m wondering if there are special smart lock systems that can be installed on these without significantly affecting the appearance or requiring complicated modifications.

Hello emilyke,

I completely understand your questions because combining flat-pack furniture with smart locks can often be tricky. With Brimnes, the additional challenge is that the sliding doors aren’t really designed to be fully locked—the sliding rails always remain movable.

My recommendation would be to use an internal magnetic or bolt lock mounted on the inside of the cabinet. This way, the external look stays intact and you can have smart functionality, for example via Bluetooth or Zigbee. However, keep in mind:

- The installation needs to be very precise to ensure the doors are securely blocked.
- Some users add extra alarm sensors to detect attempts to open the doors in case the lock isn’t 100% airtight.
- I would advise against regular smart locks meant for entry doors, as they usually don’t fit mechanically or are too bulky.

If you are reasonably handy, it might also be worth considering a retrofit with 3D-printed parts to create custom brackets.

If you have the option of folding doors, implementing a smart lock is definitely easier. With sliding doors, it’s a compromise between security and complexity.

I hope these pointers help you. If you need more details or specific product recommendations, feel free to ask!