Hello everyone, I recently got a Brimnes chest of drawers from IKEA, and I noticed that the drawers feel quite shaky when used. I am curious if there are common causes or typical issues with the BRIMNES drawers that lead to this unstable feeling? I suspect it could be related to the assembly or the type of slides/materials IKEA uses. It might also be due to the load or incorrect adjustment. I would like to understand if this problem occurs frequently and whether there are specific measures to prevent it during assembly or daily use. Are there any experiences or technical reasons that are often responsible for this?
I am somewhat skeptical about attributing the issue solely to assembly errors. IKEA produces millions of units – the Brimnes series is well-known and popular but also priced at a level where material density and reinforcements are limited.
That seems to me to be the key point: the thin engineered wood simply gives way under load. So the problem is more systemic and cannot always be fixed by assembly. Over-tightening the screws can even damage the material and worsen the situation.
Does anyone have long-term experience with BRIMNES and whether stability can be improved with additional braces or DIY reinforcement elements?
TEBILO schrieb:
One should not underestimate that the material of the carcasses is rather delicate and slightly deforms under load, which can cause a certain amount of "flex."
That seems to me to be the key point: the thin engineered wood simply gives way under load. So the problem is more systemic and cannot always be fixed by assembly. Over-tightening the screws can even damage the material and worsen the situation.
Does anyone have long-term experience with BRIMNES and whether stability can be improved with additional braces or DIY reinforcement elements?
A quick tip: Wobbling issues usually come from slight gaps between the runners and the drawer edges or from a slightly warped cabinet carcass.
A proven method is to reinforce the cabinet sides with small braces—such as delicate metal brackets inside—that keep the carcass under tension. Of course, this changes the appearance slightly, but it significantly improves stability.
It’s also worth checking the runners themselves for cracks or worn plastic parts, which are often overlooked.
A proven method is to reinforce the cabinet sides with small braces—such as delicate metal brackets inside—that keep the carcass under tension. Of course, this changes the appearance slightly, but it significantly improves stability.
It’s also worth checking the runners themselves for cracks or worn plastic parts, which are often overlooked.
Thank you very much for the detailed and precise advice! It is clear to me that there are several causes: assembly accuracy, material properties of the BRIMNES series, and load. I will start by adjusting the rails and checking the screws, and for a long-term solution, I will also consider slight reinforcements.
Finally, a question: Does anyone know the recommended maximum load for the BRIMNES drawers that should not be exceeded under heavy use to avoid this wobbling issue? Does IKEA provide specific guidelines, or has anyone experienced actual load limits?
Finally, a question: Does anyone know the recommended maximum load for the BRIMNES drawers that should not be exceeded under heavy use to avoid this wobbling issue? Does IKEA provide specific guidelines, or has anyone experienced actual load limits?
Similar topics