ᐅ Are there drawer slides that make IKEA Platsa cabinets operate more quietly?

Hello everyone,

I own several IKEA Platsa cabinets and have noticed that the drawer slides often feel quite rough and are noticeably loud when opening or closing the drawers. This reduces comfort and gives a somewhat cheap impression over time. Therefore, I would like to start a discussion: Are there drawer slides available that can be used as replacements or upgrades to make the IKEA Platsa furniture significantly smoother and more premium in everyday use?

Ideally, I am looking for recommendations for replacement slides that are compatible but noticeably quieter, smoother, or even soft-closing. If any of you have experience with suitable alternatives—whether from aftermarket accessories, third-party suppliers, or even custom solutions—I would appreciate a detailed description of the effects and what to watch out for during installation.

Thanks in advance for your tips and advice!

Hello anhao,

your question is quite valid, especially with affordable furniture like Platsa, where the drawer slides can sometimes feel a bit rough.

From a technical perspective, there are indeed drawer slides specifically designed for smooth and dampened operation. High-quality full-extension slides with a soft-close feature are particularly recommended, as they not only make the movement much quieter but also reduce mechanical wear in the medium to long term.

However, the original slides in Platsa are somewhat special when it comes to installation. A direct replacement is not always straightforward because the drilling holes and dimensions from IKEA are often customized. Many replacement slides are not compatible without modifying the drawer itself.

My advice: If you want soft-close, look for full-extension slides in standard sizes (e.g., Blum Tandembox or Hettich Quadro) and check whether the Platsa drawers can be upgraded to them—possibly with some adjustments. This way, you get noticeably quieter and higher-quality operation, but it remains a somewhat DIY solution.

For simple, smooth gliding, inexpensive ball-bearing slides are definitely an affordable alternative that often perform better than the originals.

So: Yes, there are definitely better slides, but the conversion is not entirely straightforward and sometimes requires fine-tuning.

PULAU schrieb:
However, the original runners for Platsa are a bit unusual when it comes to installation.

Exactly, I can confirm that! The Platsa runners work, but they don’t feel very smooth—as if they’ve seen some wear and tear over time 😉. For my own Platsa cabinets, I replaced them with affordable soft-close drawer slides, and that was a real relief for both ear and heart.

A little tip for anyone who doesn’t want to cause a DIY disaster: make sure the new slides match the original dimensions exactly. Otherwise, you’ll end up drilling a lot of extra holes and doing some improvising. But the result is usually worth it!

A bit of patience and the courage to drill, and suddenly the drawer closing sounds more like the satisfied shut of a fine chest. 😅

Oh, great topic! Especially when you use a lot of Platsa for storage, the noises can be really annoying—I know that all too well! 🙂

I replaced the original IKEA drawer slides with Blum tandem runners, and it was definitely worth it! They run super smoothly and are very quiet. You notice the difference immediately, and it feels like a real upgrade!

If you’re not a professional handyman, it’s better to get someone to help you—that was definitely the case for me. But the effort is worth it, because afterwards you’ll enjoy closing the drawers much more.

I’m giving you a little encouragement to really try this out! Sometimes these small things are the key to great living comfort! 🙂 🙂

barge schrieb:
I upgraded my own Platsa cabinets with affordable soft-close drawer slides, and it was a real treat for both the ears and the heart.

That sounds really great, barge! Which specific models did you use? I’m trying to picture it: How exactly did you attach the new slides – did you completely remove the old ones and drill new mounting points, or were you able to use the existing fittings?

And what about stability and load capacity? Can the drawers handle several kilograms (pounds) of weight without issues, or are there limits? I’d really appreciate details, especially focusing on DIY suitability, since I plan to do most of the work myself.

Thanks to everyone for the input so far – I can tell this is definitely doable but involves some effort.

anhao schrieb:
Which models exactly did you use?

I would like to add a few points from my perspective:

- Blum Tandembox is a very solid choice with soft-close and full extension; the high-quality damping makes a real difference.
- Hettich Quadro is also recommendable, running very smoothly and is durable.

Regarding mounting: Usually, you need to adjust the drawer a bit because the hole patterns in Platsa are different. Often, you cannot use the existing drillings, so you have to drill new holes and possibly shift the runners slightly. This doesn’t require professional skills but does call for precise measuring.

Regarding load capacity: Good full-extension runners can easily handle 30 kg (66 lbs) or more, which is plenty for normal drawer organization. However, if you want to carry extremely heavy loads, you should look into more specialized runners.

A small tip: If quietness is your main concern, it’s worth investing in new, smooth-running ball-bearing slides, as the original ones often stick or make scraping noises.

In summary: It’s definitely worth it, but you should bring some time and precision to the task.