ᐅ Is it possible to widen Ikea Brimnes drawers?

Hello everyone, I have a specific question regarding the IKEA Brimnes chest of drawers: Is it possible to increase the drawer width through any modifications or alterations?

I’m considering buying a Brimnes chest of drawers, which comes with drawers of a certain standard width. However, since I need more storage space, it would be ideal if the drawers could be made wider without having to rebuild the entire piece of furniture.

I’m interested to know if anyone has experience with widening the drawers through their own DIY work (for example, removing side panels, pushing pieces together, or adding extra parts), or if this is structurally impossible due to the drawer slides or side walls.

Any suggestions on alternatives would also be appreciated if modifying the drawers is not practical.

Thanks in advance for your tips and experiences!

sekajon schrieb:
Is it possible to increase the drawer width through any adjustments or modifications?

Good morning! Basically, the Brimnes drawers are cleverly designed to fit precisely within the furniture piece—the side panels form the frame, and the drawer slides are matched to that.

In theory, you could increase the drawer width by modifying the entire dresser, meaning widening the side panels and installing new drawer slides. However, this is quite complex, as the fittings, holes, and sturdy frame are all designed for the original dimensions.

Simply widening the drawer itself without adjusting the cabinet won’t work, since the slides need to fit exactly.

My recommendation: if you need more storage space, it’s better to switch to a wider dresser or place multiple units side by side.

If you’re handy, you could experiment with wooden panels and suitable slides, but that would then be custom furniture making.

Hope this helps!

Julien schrieb:
That is quite complex because the fittings, holes, and sturdy frame are precisely designed to the original dimensions.

I want to add exactly that: IKEA furniture like the Brimnes is standardized and mass-produced, so modifications such as widening are not easily done.

You have to consider that the drawer slides and the coordination of all components are precisely aligned.

Even if you try to widen the side panels, all the drilling positions have to be redone, and the stability of the carcass will suffer. So the question is whether the effort justifies the improvement.

Also: Would a wider drawer with altered slides still operate reliably? I find that doubtful.

My advice: Rather reconsider the storage concept with completely different solutions than this type of modification. Possibly wider shelves or alternative storage systems might work better.

I am interested to hear if anyone has had different practical success with this.

sekajon schrieb:
Is it possible to increase the drawer width through any adjustments or modifications?

Hey, great question! I actually started a similar project myself to create more space in my Brimnes.

It’s definitely possible, but it requires some craftsmanship and a few modifications:
- You’ll need to widen the side panels of the cabinet, for example by adding extra wood panels or battens, to make room for wider drawer slides.
- You can either rout out the drawers or build new ones completely, then adjust the drawer runners accordingly.
- Make sure the load distribution and balance are correct – otherwise, things might jam or wobble.

But it’s worth it! I ended up with significantly more storage space, and the dresser still looks neat. If you have some DIY experience, you can really tackle this with proper planning.

Just note: this will void the IKEA warranty, and you’ll need good tools, patience, and precise measurements. Good luck!