ᐅ How can IKEA BRIMNES drawers be better organized?

Hello everyone, I’m looking for tips and ideas on how to better organize the drawers of the IKEA Brimnes bed system. My main concern is that I’ve had difficulty using the available space efficiently without it becoming cluttered or items getting mixed up when opening and closing the drawers. Does anyone have experience with using dividers, special organizing systems, or perhaps DIY solutions that fit well inside the Brimnes drawers? Advice on suitable materials for subdividing the drawers would also be helpful. The goal is to achieve more order and clarity in the drawers without compromising accessibility. Thanks in advance for your constructive suggestions!

Hello Lejebi, your concern is completely understandable since the BRIMNES drawers are quite spacious but tend to become cluttered quickly due to their height and depth. I have personally taken the following steps to better organize my drawers and can recommend them:

- First, I emptied the drawers completely and sorted everything into categories, such as clothing, electronic accessories, documents, etc.
- Then, I measured the drawers to create suitable dividers from thin MDF or acrylic. Alternatively, modular plastic boxes that can be arranged flexibly inside work well too.
- Especially important: by adding several small compartments, you avoid overall mess and can easily remove items without disturbing others.
- For delicate items, compartments with felt lining are also suitable.

I would also like to know the exact depth of your drawers and what you mainly store in them to offer more precise advice. Since the BRIMNES bed comes in several variations, the depth is particularly relevant for planning the dividers. By the way, using inserts in different colors or matte finishes can also improve visual organization.

If you plan to open and close the drawers frequently, I recommend sturdier materials, as inexpensive cardboard dividers often wear out and break quickly. Additionally, there is the option to use flat plastic organizers that can be fixed with non-slip mats to prevent shifting.

Johnathon schrieb:
I followed these steps to better organize my drawers and can recommend them:

I agree, especially the use of custom-made dividers is, for me, the best solution. I would like to add the following details:

- Definitely use a measuring tool with millimeter scale, preferably a digital caliper, to capture all dimensions accurately.
- Start by making paper templates to test different layouts before cutting any materials.
- Materials like rigid foam boards (PVC foam) are very lightweight and durable, ideal for your project.
- For cutting, I recommend a fine utility knife with a guide rail to keep the edges clean and straight.

An additional tip: so-called drawer dividers made of wood or plastic also allow you to adjust the compartments later if needed. This is especially useful if your storage needs change over time.

I am curious whether you have considered pre-made plastic inserts or drawer organizers, or if you find those too inflexible? Sometimes flexibility and ease of use are more important than perfect custom fitting.

Partition walls made of sturdy cardboard or plastic are ideal. Clear storage boxes help to find everything quickly. Labels keep the organization consistent. Non-slip mats on the bottom also prevent the contents from shifting.

FABIAN_DEO schrieb:
Sometimes flexibility and ease of use are more important than perfect custom fitting.

I see this critically. Especially with a piece of furniture like BRIMNES, whose drawers are quite deep and relatively smooth, too much variability in the inserts often leads to instability and less efficient use of space. A custom-made divider system that is securely fixed prevents everything from shifting when opened and ultimately provides much better organization.

However, I also believe that many of the standardized drawer inserts available on the market usually do not fit these dimensions optimally and often require more rudimentary solutions, which increases the effort involved.

I would be interested to know if anyone here has experience with professional cutting of wood or acrylic parts that can be ordered to exact measurements and how the cost compares. Often, “DIY” is discouraged even though it offers greater flexibility.

Also, a question for Lejebi: What type of items do you primarily want to store in the drawers? Clothing, books, small parts, or something else? This should strongly influence the type of organization.