ᐅ How can Ikea Brimnes furniture be made child-friendly?

Hello everyone,

I am planning to use Ikea Brimnes furniture in the children's room but am unsure how to make it more child-friendly. The furniture is quite simple and functional, but I have concerns about safety and durability with daily use by children. I am looking for tips and ideas on how to make this furniture specifically child-safe, for example through appropriate padding, edge rounding, fixing methods, or additional protective measures. Suggestions on organization or adjustments for younger children are also welcome. Does anyone have practical experience or recommendations, especially regarding the Brimnes series? Thank you in advance!

Attach edge protectors to all sharp corners.
Secure all furniture to the wall with screws.
Use soft mats or rugs nearby.

I completely understand your concerns – as parents, we always want to create the best environment for our children while ensuring maximum safety. I personally had Brimnes furniture and sewed light fabric covers for the edges because little ones often bump into them. I also found it important to check whether the drawers have soft-close mechanisms or if they can be retrofitted – this helps prevent finger injuries. It can sometimes feel overwhelming, but these small adjustments make a big difference in safe handling.

An important aspect is securing the furniture to the wall to prevent tipping. For Brimnes, I recommend additionally using visible, glossy corner protectors that are both noticeable and sturdy. Alternatively, a rounded rubber strip can be attached to the front edges. For drawers, retrofitting soft-close dampers is advisable to ensure smooth closing. Another option is to install organizational systems to keep items from lying around loosely and creating tripping hazards.

SETHBLA schrieb:
Attach corner protectors to all sharp edges.

elgla schrieb:
I had Brimnes furniture myself and back then I sewed light fabric covers for the edges because kids often bump into them.

Thanks! The idea of sewing fabric covers sounds interesting – does anyone have recommendations on fabrics that are especially durable and easy to clean? I want the padding to be as low-maintenance and sturdy as possible.

Also, you mentioned soft-close drawers, which makes a lot of sense. Would it be practical to retrofit a separate mechanism if the Brimnes furniture doesn’t come with it as standard? I’m wondering how easy and reliable such an upgrade would be.

I’m sorry that you have so many uncertainties at first – I can relate! But don’t worry: For the fabrics, I would recommend durable canvas or upholstery fabric with a light water-repellent finish, as these last longer and can often be wiped clean or washed. Regarding the soft-close option, I have seen that small retrofit kits from some manufacturers work, but some require a bit of skill to install. It’s important that the attachment is secure; otherwise, the child might get hurt. If you’re not very handy, you might find nursery accessory sets that are specifically designed to fit.