ᐅ What to do if the doors of Ikea BRIMNES do not close properly?

Hello everyone,

I recently bought an Ikea Brimnes wardrobe set and am generally happy with the design and functionality, but the doors on mine don’t close properly. They always remain slightly ajar or close with a noticeable gap to the frame, allowing dust to collect inside.

I have already checked if the hinges are correctly installed and if the doors are warped, but I couldn’t find any obvious issues. Are there any specific adjustment options for BRIMNES that I might have missed?

Or do you have practical tips on how to adjust the doors so they close flush and quietly?

I am using the wardrobe in a rather humid room – could that be a factor?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

Hi lenpo62,

oh, that sounds annoying! My BRIMNES doors used to have a mind of their own sometimes and didn’t want to cooperate. 😄

Tip: Take a close look at the hinges – there are often small screws for fine adjustment that allow you to align the doors vertically and horizontally. Sometimes it also helps to remove the door briefly, tighten the screws, and then reattach it.

Moisture can cause the wood to swell slightly, so keep an eye on the humidity levels or use a fan in the room if it gets too humid.

Good luck – you’ll manage it!

For BRIMNES: Loosen the hinges, align the door, and tighten the screws. This is usually sufficient. If there is moisture, ventilate.

Hello lenpo62,

I can understand the frustration when doors don’t close properly—especially on furniture with basic fittings like BRIMNES.

First, about hinge adjustment: BRIMNES uses standard door hinges with adjustment screws in three directions:

- Horizontal (left-right)
- Vertical (up-down)
- Depth (gap distance to the cabinet body)

To achieve precise closing, the door should be partially adjusted while it is unmounted. Here’s how:

1. Remove the door, loosen the small adjustment screws on the hinge plate.
2. Position and align the door on the hinge mount.
3. Tighten the screws again.

Additionally, check if the cabinet body is standing level, as an uneven position can affect the closing mechanism. A small spirit level can help here.

Temperature and humidity conditions also matter, as wood can deform. I recommend keeping the room’s humidity constant (ideally 40-60%).

Can you confirm if the frame itself is stable and whether the door doesn’t close properly on one specific side? Are there any contact points rubbing? Details like these help to narrow down the cause.

Regards!

Domau0 schrieb:
I recommend keeping the humidity in the installation room stable (ideally 40-60%).

Thank you for the detailed explanation, Domau0! The cabinet is quite stable; I checked it with a precise spirit level.

The doors don’t align flush mainly at the lower part, where there is a small gap that is hardly noticeable at the top. On one side, I feel the door slightly pushes outward, as if the hinge mounting is slightly misaligned.

I will try your method of removing the door and adjusting the screws.

Regarding humidity: the room is a bedroom with occasional ventilation—so rather average humidity levels.

Is there anything specific I should pay attention to with the screws? I read that applying too much force can damage the wood.

Also, I wonder if it makes sense to use felt strips or seals with BRIMNES to reduce the very light rattling noise when closing.

lenpo62 schrieb:
I will try your method of loosening and adjusting the screws.

That's exactly how I would do it!

Regarding the screws: No, you don’t need superhuman strength, just tighten them firmly so nothing stays loose. The wood of BRIMNES is quite sturdy; a little feel is more than enough.

As for rattling: I attached small self-adhesive felt pads to the inside of the doors. They cost almost nothing and dampen noise very well. Especially when doors wobble slightly, this makes a big difference.

This is easily the best tip I can give you. Good luck with it, and feel free to share how it goes!