ᐅ How can I modify Ikea BRIMNES drawers to be more child-friendly?

Hello everyone, I have several Ikea Brimnes drawer dressers at home that I want to modify to be more child-friendly. My main concern is making the drawers safer, as my toddler often tries to open them fully and risks tipping them over or getting fingers caught. Does anyone have experience or proven methods for modifying BRIMNES drawers to be child-safe (e.g., with soft-close mechanisms, child locks, or other measures) without losing their functionality? I am looking for practical tips, instructions, or product recommendations that are easy to implement. Thanks in advance!

Hi, I would first recommend using so-called Blum or soft-close fittings. These ensure that the drawers close slowly and don’t slam shut. Child safety locks can be installed inside to prevent little ones from opening them fully.

Hey, great topic! I equipped my BRIMNES drawers with simple drawer locks and also attached felt strips to the edges. This way, your child is not only safer, but it also looks nice! Give it a try, it’s definitely worth it!

Thanks for the initial tips! @barle, when you say soft-close fittings, do you mean that the existing drawers need to be completely replaced? Or are there retrofit options that can be fairly easily added to the BRIMNES system? The drawers themselves aren’t very deep, so I’m wondering how much space is left for such mechanisms. Also, what kind of child safety locks do you have in mind specifically? I’m hoping for something that can be installed on the furniture without major disassembly.

The BRIMNES drawers use standard metal slides, which typically do not include a soft-close feature. Retrofit soft-close adapters for drawer slides are available but are usually designed for specific rail systems and often require modification. A practical alternative is installing separate dampers, which can be mounted on the cabinet sides or behind the drawer front to prevent slamming. For child safety, I recommend inward-mounted drawer locks that operate with magnets or push mechanisms and are difficult for children to open.

I also experimented with these hook-and-loop straps on my BRIMNES, using them as a kind of strap to limit how far it opens. It works really easily and doesn’t look too bulky. Plus, you can add some cool colors that way! 😄 And don’t worry about the installation – it’s actually fun once you’ve given it a try.