ᐅ Is it possible to equip Ikea BRIMNES cabinets with casters (wheels)?

Hello everyone,

I am currently looking into whether the IKEA Brimnes wardrobes can be fitted with or converted to use casters. I am particularly interested in whether IKEA itself offers compatible casters or if alternative solutions are recommended that do not compromise the wardrobe’s stability.

The reason behind this is that I would like the wardrobe to be flexible and easy to move— for example, for occasional rearranging or for easier cleaning underneath. Are there any experiences with such modifications? What type of casters are suitable if the original feet are to be removed?

I look forward to your experiences and tips, including any advice on potential drawbacks or risks involved in such a modification.

pedakla schrieb:
Are there any experiences with this kind of modification? What type of casters are suitable if you want to remove the original feet?

Hello,

I can understand well why you want to equip the BRIMNES cabinets with casters – I had exactly the same issue at home. In theory, I found it very practical because the cabinet is quite heavy and not easy to move.

At the time, I chose a pair of furniture casters and installed them myself. It was important to me that the casters could be locked firmly so the cabinet wouldn’t roll unintentionally.

You should carefully check whether the casters can support the weight and, especially, how they are mounted. Some casters can be attached directly to the carcass, while others require a board or special adapters. It is also possible that the side panels of this type of cabinet are not stable enough for caster installation.

If you decide to try it, I would recommend using only casters with a locking brake, removing the feet carefully if they are detachable, and reinforcing the edges to avoid damage.

I hope this helps a bit. I would also be interested to hear what others think.

pedakla schrieb:
Are there any experiences with such conversions? What type of casters are suitable if you want to remove the original feet?

Regarding the question of retrofitting casters on BRIMNES cabinets, the following should be noted:

- IKEA does not offer original casters as accessories for the BRIMNES series.
- The cabinet’s construction is based on sturdy feet and side panels that are not specifically reinforced to support casters.
- Attaching casters must be done very carefully – screws or fasteners must not compromise the stability of the cabinet body.
- Suitable casters should have a high load capacity, at least 50 kg (110 lbs) per caster; for a two-door cabinet, this means 4 casters with a combined load capacity of at least 200 kg (440 lbs).
- Ideal are casters with mounting plates that can be secured with multiple screws to a stable sub-frame.

Conclusion: Modifying the cabinet to add casters is technically possible but requires attaching a stable wooden plate or subframe for secure mounting. The original foot attachments are too weak and not designed for casters.

As an alternative, the cabinet could be placed on a custom-made rolling base to preserve the original structure.

REOHEINRIC schrieb:
IKEA does not offer original casters as accessories for the BRIMNES series.

That is correct.

REOHEINRIC schrieb:
The construction of the cabinet is based on sturdy feet and side panels that are not specifically reinforced to hold casters.

Therefore, you should definitely not just screw casters on.

My advice: Build a suitable platform with casters underneath. This way, stability is maintained and the cabinet remains movable.

Hughno schrieb:
My tip: Build a suitable platform with castors underneath. This way, the stability is maintained and the cabinet remains movable.

That is really the safest way.

I solved it like this: placed a wooden board under the cabinet and attached castors to the board. This makes the cabinet a bit higher, but you can move it at any time without any problems.

One more tip: make sure the castors have a locking brake. Otherwise, it can roll unintentionally if you can’t secure the cabinet.

I also briefly considered modifying the original feet, but decided against it because I didn’t want to damage the cabinet. The platform is reversible, and I can simply remove it if needed.