ᐅ What challenges are there when assembling Ikea Brimnes furniture in older buildings?

Hello everyone,

I am planning to get the IKEA Brimnes wardrobe, but I live in an older building with uneven floors and some very slanted walls. I am particularly interested in the challenges of assembling the Brimnes furniture in such older buildings.

Specifically, I am wondering:
- How much do uneven floors affect the stability of the wardrobe?
- Are there issues when aligning it against slanted walls?
- Are special preparations or additions needed (e.g., shims, wedges, special fasteners)?
- Are there any experiences with mounting it on older walls, such as timber framing or very old materials?

I would appreciate concrete advice and tips for assembly in these specific living conditions, as I want to avoid difficulties during self-assembly.

Thank you in advance!

In case of uneven floors, be sure to use wooden wedges or small furniture pads to level the cabinet. The Brimnes furniture is quite easy to stabilize as long as it is securely fastened to the wall.

For older building walls, a drill with appropriate wall plugs should be used, depending on the wall type (e.g., cavity anchors or hammer-in plugs). This is usually the biggest challenge.

Cecilera66 schrieb:
If the floor is uneven, definitely use wooden shims or small furniture pads to level the wardrobe.

Exactly! I also live in an older building, and yes, the walls are sometimes not perfectly straight – but with a bit of improvisation, everything works out fine. For me, using shims and a few extra long screws worked really well 😄.

Luckily, the Brimnes isn’t too complicated to assemble. I think it’s important to take your time and not rush. That way, assembling it can actually be a lot of fun!

Hello dugodwin,

to answer your questions specifically:
- Uneven floors: These can affect stability if the cabinet does not sit flat. It is advisable to check the floor at the intended location with a spirit level before assembly and compensate as needed using furniture shims or pads.

- Uneven walls: The Brimnes series uses wall mountings that usually have multiple attachment points on the back. Since it is common in older buildings for walls to be uneven, it may happen that one mounting point does not fit flush. In this case, I recommend either slightly adjusting the mounting points or placing small washers under the mounts.

- Mounting on walls in older buildings: The most secure hold is achieved with suitable wall plugs (anchors). Because walls often consist of old bricks, timber studs, or drywall, you should first check which type of plug is appropriate. For timber stud walls, you can also screw directly into the stud if it is accessible.

I have personally assembled several Brimnes pieces in older buildings, and with the right tools and materials, it works well. The most important factor is careful preparation. If you would like more detailed tips on tool requirements or choosing the appropriate wall plugs, I am happy to provide more information.

marix schrieb:
Since walls in older buildings are often not perfectly straight, a fastener may not sit flush.

This raises an important point. I would even go further and say that with older buildings, you should not only pay attention to unevenness but also make sure to check the wall’s load-bearing capacity.

Too often, it is simply assumed that anchors and screws will hold without considering the material quality or the age of the wall structure. Especially with old walls that have wooden framing or crumbling plaster layers, a fastener can fail, compromising the safety of the entire cabinet.

My advice, therefore, is to conduct a material test before installation (for example, by making a small hole or tapping), to find out what you are dealing with. If necessary, consider alternative fastening options such as free-standing furniture supports or additional wall reinforcements. Only in this way can stability truly be ensured, not just proper alignment.