ᐅ How can I move Ikea Brimnes furniture through narrow doorways?

Hello everyone, I am facing the challenge of moving some Ikea Brimnes furniture pieces through relatively narrow doors in my apartment. Specifically, it concerns the bedroom chest of drawers and the tall shoe cabinet. The doors are about 75 cm (30 inches) wide, but the Brimnes units are wider and firmly assembled. My question is: How do you get these furniture pieces through tight doorways? Should I disassemble the furniture on-site, and if so, which steps have proven effective to avoid damaging the pieces? Are there any special techniques or tools for moving that can make the process easier? Perhaps someone here has experience with the Brimnes range or similar IKEA furniture and can offer tips for transporting them through narrow doors. I look forward to your advice and any recommendations on what to watch out for to prevent damage.

Hello Britki, I have some experience with Brimnes furniture and narrow doorways. First of all: the most important thing is to disassemble the furniture as much as possible before transport. With Brimnes, this usually works well because many parts are connected with quick connectors.

- Step 1: Remove the drawers, otherwise the piece will be too heavy and bulky.
- Step 2: Carefully unscrew the back panel; this makes moving easier and protects the rear side.
- Step 3: If possible, disconnect the joints between the side panels and the top/bottom parts to make the furniture flatter.

During transport, it can help to tilt the frame slightly and maneuver it through the door. Make sure there are no sharp edges on the doors or furniture—using blankets or towels as padding works great.

A common mistake is trying to force the furniture through fully assembled. That usually leads to damage. It’s better to take time to disassemble—it saves nerves and protects the furniture.

I hope this little guide helps you.

Take the drawers out and carry the cabinet diagonally through the door. If the cabinet is too wide, disassemble it. Never tilt the piece of furniture to avoid damaging it.

Lyndon55 schrieb:
Typical mistakes include trying to squeeze fully assembled furniture through tight spaces.

I agree, that is really the main point. I have an additional tip: Before moving, carefully measure the door and the furniture pieces. With Brimnes, it is important to rotate and hold the pieces so that the narrower side goes through the door first, preferably in a horizontal position.

NENAU schrieb:
Remove the drawers and carry the cabinet diagonally through the door.

That can work well, but you need to be very careful. Some Brimnes models, due to the particleboard construction, are not very flexible, and the wrong angle can cause damage.

If possible, disassemble the furniture at least partially, for example the side panels or back panel, because when taken apart, you can transport the individual boards more easily.

For protection, I recommend placing blankets around the sides and corners, especially when moving through narrow doorways, to avoid scratching the paint or veneer surfaces.

Finally, a good tip: If you have help, avoid back and lifting injuries by clearly coordinating the move among yourselves.