ᐅ How do I install IKEA Metod cabinets with soft-close doors?

Hello everyone, I’m currently working on a project to assemble several IKEA Metod kitchen cabinets with soft-close doors and have a few questions to ensure everything goes smoothly.

My main question: How do I properly assemble IKEA Metod cabinets with soft-close doors so that the doors close neatly and the soft-close mechanism works correctly? Are there any special tips for installing the hinges or things I should pay particular attention to?

I have partially read the instructions, but some steps seem rather brief, and I want to avoid the doors hanging crooked or not closing properly.

I’m also interested to know if there are differences in assembly when it comes to the taller pantry cabinets with soft-close doors compared to the standard base cabinets.

I’d appreciate any advice, including recommendations on tools and planning before the assembly!

Hello Gabriela, I recently assembled a Metod kitchen with soft-close doors myself and I know exactly what you mean – the instructions can sometimes be quite sparse.

It is definitely important that you first carefully assemble all the cabinet parts and screw the carcasses together at precise right angles. If there are small errors at this stage, the doors will hang crooked later on.

When attaching the hinges: it’s best to pre-drill all the holes and adjust the hinges slightly before fully tightening the screws. This way, you can fine-tune the soft-close mechanism optimally.

Don’t worry, it might seem a bit intimidating at first, but with patience you’ll get great results. If you like, I can also give you step-by-step tips on how I did it.

Hello Gabriela, I’m happy to help you with your project! When assembling the IKEA Metod cabinets with soft-close doors, there are a few details that make a difference:

- Always align the cabinet carcass precisely: This is essential; otherwise, the door may stick or hang unevenly.
- Attach the soft-close hinges correctly: The screws for the hinges should not be tightened too much—this allows for fine adjustments.
- Use the adjustment screws: Each hinge has several adjustment screws that let you align the door vertically, in depth, and horizontally.
- Check the soft-close function: After assembly, open and close each door several times to test the smooth closing—if it sticks, adjust it again.

Regarding the tall cabinets: Assembly is similar, but some doors are heavier, so make sure the mounting is secure and consider using stronger wall anchors if necessary.

Recommended tools: Cordless drill, spirit level, screwdriver, and possibly a clamp to hold parts in place during assembly.

Regarding the soft close feature: Adjust the hinges so that the door lightly touches the frame at the back; the soft close mechanism will then pull the door fully shut. Test the adjustment before tightening the screws. Good luck!

FELOTAU schrieb:

When attaching the hinges: It's best to pre-drill all holes and loosely position the hinges before tightening the screws.

Thanks, I wasn’t entirely sure about the pre-drilling. Do I need to pay attention to a specific distance or drilling depth? I’m worried about damaging the wood or the screws not holding properly.

angel schrieb:

- Use adjustment screws: Each hinge has several adjustment screws that allow you to align the door vertically, in depth, and horizontally.

How exactly do I adjust these screws? Is there an order I should follow when making adjustments? Are there any signs that indicate the door is hanging too far forward or backward?

One last question: When installing the doors, is there a recommended way to protect them to prevent scratches during assembly?

gabriela schrieb:

Thanks, I wasn’t quite sure about pre-drilling. Do I really need to pay attention to a specific distance or drilling depth? I’m worried about damaging the wood or the screws not holding properly.

Good question! For the pilot holes, I used a drill bit that was slightly smaller than the screws themselves – this helps prevent the wood from splitting. The drilling depth should only be as deep as the screw length, but not much deeper.

When adjusting the hinge screws, I first checked the height (hanging the door and seeing if it’s even at the top and bottom), then the depth (ensuring the door closes flush with the frame), and finally the horizontal adjustment (which improves the side gap relative to the cabinet edge).

If the door sticks out too far at the front, it often jams or doesn’t close properly; if it’s too far back, it won’t sit flush and might rattle.

To avoid scratches, I preferred to install the doors only at the very end, once the main structure was complete. Otherwise, I placed old cloths in between.