ᐅ How can Ikea Brimnes furniture be adapted to be pet-friendly?

Hello everyone,

Some time ago, I bought several IKEA Brimnes furniture pieces, mainly dressers and cabinets, and now I am focusing more on how to make these furniture items better suited for pet owners. Since furniture often gets scratched by cats and dogs, and there can be issues with stability, access, or usability, I am interested in the options for specifically modifying or adapting the Brimnes pieces.

I am particularly interested in ideas and practical experiences regarding
- scratch resistance (e.g., surface treatments),
- pet safety (e.g., no sharp edges, secure doors),
- storage design for pet supplies,
- integration of retreats or sleeping areas directly in or on the furniture,
- and possibly tips on how to reduce pets’ tendencies to scratch the furniture.

Who has experience with IKEA Brimnes furniture in combination with pets? Are there clever modifications or recommended accessories? I look forward to detailed answers and practical advice!

Hello Rubenbau,
I can well understand how frustrating it is when furniture suffers from our furry friends. I have two cats myself and use Brimnes dressers. What helped me was first applying a transparent protective film to the surfaces. Sure, it’s not the most elegant solution, but it protects the surface from scratches.

In addition, I addressed sharp edges by adding felt pads. This protects the cats from injuries and also prevents the furniture from being damaged so quickly. Regarding retreat spots, I placed boxes on top of the cabinets – my cats love to sleep there, even though it’s not an integrated solution.

I’m curious if you also struggle with stability? Sometimes the shelves feel a bit “wobbly” to me when the pets jump on them.

Hey Rubenbau!
Regarding your topic, the first thing that comes to mind is: why not make something creative out of it? 🤔

The Brimnes furniture is generally quite sturdy, but the surface is rather vulnerable, that's true. I once saw a friend who glued sisal scratch mats directly onto the side panels – it looks really fun, and the cats love it!

For the pets' retreats, I’ve heard you can create nice openings (holes) in the back panels of the cabinet compartments and put a cushion inside, giving the animals their own little space. Of course, you’ll need some basic DIY skills for that :-)

You could basically create a hybrid between furniture and pet furniture, just don’t forget to ensure good ventilation, or it could get stuffy in there. I find the idea quite charming if the pet owner makes their furniture a gathering spot for everyone.

I would recommend installing additional scratching surfaces, such as sisal or a durable carpet, that can be securely attached. For stability, I always check whether the screws are tight and retighten them after some time if necessary. Open compartments can easily be used as resting areas for animals by placing a cushion inside.

Hello everyone,

I would like to share a structured guide on how to optimize Brimnes furniture specifically for pet owners, as I have worked extensively on this myself:

1. Surface protection: It is recommended to use a matte, scratch-resistant film or a clear water-based protective lacquer that is non-toxic and easy to remove.

2. Edge safety: Attaching soft edge protectors made of silicone or felt helps prevent injuries.

3. Creating retreat spots: You can make small openings in the cabinet doors and cover them with breathable mesh. Inside, place a soft cushion to make the space appealing.

4. Storage for pet supplies: Use simple inserts or boxes inside; stackable plastic boxes that can be easily pulled out work best.

5. Protection against scratches on the front: Self-adhesive strips or thin stainless steel plates can be applied if they fit the appearance.

6. Ensure ventilation: Especially for closed retreat areas, it is essential to add ventilation holes.

A common issue is overly rigid connections between parts; therefore, check that everything is securely held before the modification and reinforce if necessary.

If you have questions about specific modifications, I am happy to help.

Thanks for the tips from Nabla64; I find them very helpful. I can relate to the idea that sometimes you have to take a two-pronged approach—not only protecting the furniture but also managing the behavior of pets a bit. For example, in our case, using scented sprays to keep pets away from certain furniture areas while also providing extra scratching boards helps.

Nabla64 schrieb:
A matte, scratch-resistant film or a clear water-based protective coating is recommended

I wonder how well that works in practice? Does it need to be reapplied often? With cats, this seems to be a never-ending story.