ᐅ How can I retrofit Ikea Hemnes drawers with soft-close slides?
Created on: 18 Feb 2020 08:43
R
randallna8
Hello everyone, I am planning to retrofit my IKEA Hemnes dresser with soft-close drawer slides to prevent the drawers from slamming shut. As far as I know, IKEA does not offer a soft-close drawer slide retrofit kit specifically for the Hemnes series. My question is: What options are available for installing soft-close slides as an aftermarket upgrade?
- Is it possible to simply use suitable soft-close slides from a hardware store, or are there specific dimensions or mounting details of the Hemnes drawers that need to be considered?
- Are there any recommended brands or models that work well as a retrofit solution?
- How complicated is the installation, especially for someone who has never replaced the drawer slides before?
I look forward to your experiences and advice!
- Is it possible to simply use suitable soft-close slides from a hardware store, or are there specific dimensions or mounting details of the Hemnes drawers that need to be considered?
- Are there any recommended brands or models that work well as a retrofit solution?
- How complicated is the installation, especially for someone who has never replaced the drawer slides before?
I look forward to your experiences and advice!
In addition to measuring, I would like to point out the following:
- The material thickness of the Hemnes drawer sides is important. Some retrofit slides are designed for a minimum thickness of 16mm (5/8 inches).
- During installation, it is essential to work carefully step by step, as the alignment of the slide is crucial for smooth operation.
- If you have little experience with DIY, it can be helpful to fully upgrade and test one drawer first before doing them all.
The effort is manageable if you work carefully. The result is usually very satisfying, as the often noisy standard slides are replaced by comfortable, soft-closing variants.
- The material thickness of the Hemnes drawer sides is important. Some retrofit slides are designed for a minimum thickness of 16mm (5/8 inches).
- During installation, it is essential to work carefully step by step, as the alignment of the slide is crucial for smooth operation.
- If you have little experience with DIY, it can be helpful to fully upgrade and test one drawer first before doing them all.
The effort is manageable if you work carefully. The result is usually very satisfying, as the often noisy standard slides are replaced by comfortable, soft-closing variants.
randallna8 schrieb:
What options are there to retrofit soft-close drawer slides?From a technical perspective, there are only a few options: either buy soft-close retrofit slides that are compatible with the Hemnes drawer and the cabinet interior, or replace the entire drawers including the slides – the latter is usually more complex and costly.
KODAN32 schrieb:
Soft-close retrofit slides for wooden drawers are usually the best choice.Exactly, these systems have the advantage for DIYers that they can usually be installed without major modifications. When purchasing, you should pay attention to:
- Slide length (e.g., 350 vs. 450 mm (14 vs. 18 inches))
- Load capacity
- Installation height and side clearance
Save the measurements before screwing anything in and double-check them!
Conclusion: Retrofitting is possible but requires careful measurement and possibly minor adjustments.
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