ᐅ Ikea BESTA – how can I retrofit the doors with soft-close hinges?

Hello everyone,

I own several Besta cabinets from Ikea and would like to retrofit the doors with soft-close dampers to make closing quieter and smoother. Does anyone have experience with how to install such soft-close mechanisms on the doors afterwards?

What is important to me:
- Which type of dampers is suitable for Besta doors (movement dampers, hinge dampers, or door dampers)?
- What is the exact step-by-step process for installation or assembly?
- Are there any specific challenges or mistakes to avoid?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Hello sidan,

I have already retrofitted several BESTA cabinets with dampers and can provide you with a brief guide.

1. Principle: The best option for the BESTA cabinets are so-called door dampers (also called soft-close dampers), which are mounted on the inside of the cabinet carcass.

2. Selection: Make sure the dampers are suitable for furniture with similar door weights.

3. Installation:
- First, attach the damper to the inside of the cabinet carcass at the appropriate distance (usually with screws or clips).
- Attach the counterpart plate to the door frame.
- Close the door and adjust the position if necessary.

Common mistakes:
- Incorrect drilling, such as too close to the edge or too deep.
- Positioning the damper too close or too far from the hinge side – this affects its function.

If you like, I can provide a sketch or measurements for the positioning.

Conclusion: With a bit of patience, you can make the doors significantly quieter.

You need door dampers for furniture that are mounted inside the carcass. Just screw them in, attach the matching part to the door, and you’re done. No need to replace hinges; it works smoothly.

Additional information:

Most IKEA BESTA doors are installed using traditional cup hinges. These do not have built-in soft-closing mechanisms. For retrofitting, external soft-close dampers are recommended, which are mounted separately on the cabinet carcass.

It is important to choose a damper with the appropriate force, matched to the door’s weight and size. Dampers that are too weak often do not close completely, while those that are too strong can create excessive resistance.

Installation is usually done as follows:
- Mark the mounting points on the cabinet about 5-10 cm (2-4 inches) away from the hinge side.
- Attach the damper inside the cabinet using the included screws.
- Mount the catch plate accordingly on the inside of the door.
- Adjust the position until the door closes smoothly.

Installation aids or templates make precise positioning easier.

Note: Some soft-close sets are specially designed for IKEA furniture, which simplifies installation and fit.

Juan31 schrieb:
Installation aids or templates make precise positioning easier.

Thanks for the tips, the idea of using a template sounds helpful. Does anyone know if these dampers can damage the original hinges when removed? And how difficult is the disassembly? I don’t really want to use a complicated solution to permanently modify the doors in case I want to renovate later.

sidan schrieb:
Does anyone know if these dampers can damage the original hinges if you want to remove them later?

The dampers are usually installed with screws that do not affect the cup hinges themselves, as they do not attach directly to them. When you remove the dampers, only small drill holes remain, which can be easily repaired with wood filler. Damage to the hinges from retrofitting is unlikely.

sidan schrieb:
And how difficult is the removal?

Removing them is straightforward. Simply unscrew and take out the dampers. No special tools are required.