ᐅ How can Ikea Hemnes drawers be fitted with smooth-gliding drawer slides?

Hello everyone, I have a question regarding my Ikea Hemnes dresser, specifically the drawers: How can I equip the Hemnes drawers with smooth-running slides to make them open and close much more effortlessly? The original slides are quite basic and often not very quiet or smooth in operation. I am looking for a practical solution, ideally with standard or easily retrofittable slides that can be installed fairly easily without major modifications to the drawer or dresser. Has anyone had experience, tips, or recommendations on which slides might fit and the best way to proceed? I look forward to your feedback!

For the Hemnes drawers, I recommend ball-bearing full-extension drawer slides, which you can find at hardware stores. Simply remove the old slides and install the new ones, making sure they are mounted evenly and parallel. They will then operate much more smoothly.

[@RUNIKI] The quality of the original Hemnes drawer slides is actually quite basic; they are often simple wooden strips with plastic guides. If you want to equip your drawers with smoother-running slides, I recommend the following approach:

- Remove all existing slides and wooden strips completely. This means preparing both the inside of the dresser and the outer sides of the drawer boxes.
- Get high-quality full-extension metal ball-bearing slides (with a load capacity of at least 35 kg (77 lbs) per slide). These are more stable, operate more quietly, and even allow for a soft-close feature if desired.
- Measure the depth of the dresser and the thickness of the drawer sides precisely, as many metal slides require a fixed installation width.
- First, attach the slides to the cabinet frame using screws, then install the matching parts on the drawer sides very accurately. Inaccurate alignment will cause sticking or skewed movement.
- When inserting the drawers, slight adjustments are possible; some models come with adjustment screws.

If you want, I can also provide tips on suppliers or how to schedule the installation down to the minute. Which drawers do you have exactly, 3- or 4-row, and what are the approximate internal measurements? That would help to choose the right slides more precisely.

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If you want, I can also provide tips on suppliers or how to schedule the finishing work down to the minute.

Thanks for the great introduction, Dilen! My Hemnes chest of drawers has three drawers, about 48 cm (19 inches) deep from front to back. The drawer walls are quite thin, around 1.8 cm (0.7 inches). A retrofit process that is as simple as possible is important to me, without changing too much of the basic structure. So, basically plug-and-play or requiring minimal effort. Soft-close is not a must, but better running smoothness and less force needed to open would be excellent. Has anyone, including you, already solved this exact dimension with suitable drawer slides?

With a depth of 48 cm (19 inches), standard full-extension drawer slides of 35 cm (14 inches) can often be used because the rails are mounted externally. It is important to align them properly; otherwise, they may jam. If the drawer thickness is low, external slides with a low profile are suitable.

As an addition: The Hemnes dresser typically has manufacturing tolerances, so I recommend measuring the drawer width and height to accurately determine the correct rail length.

A good choice is telescopic full-extension drawer slides with ball bearing guides, providing smooth operation and a load capacity of at least 30 kilograms (66 pounds). Installation tips:

- When screwing into thin wood panels, use dowels or pre-drilled holes to avoid splitting.
- Ensure the rails are perfectly aligned with each other to prevent jamming.
- Optional: Lightly sanding or roughening the guide surfaces inside the cabinet can improve smoothness.

This way, the Hemnes structure remains intact, and the drawer will function significantly better.