ᐅ Which types of screws are suitable for assembling the Ikea BRIMNES furniture?

Hello everyone, I am currently facing the problem of looking for replacement screws or suitable screw sets for my Ikea Brimnes furniture set. It concerns the wardrobe with drawers, specifically the white version. I no longer have the original screws completely, or some are partially damaged, and I would now like to know which types of screws are actually compatible to fully ensure stability and functionality. Does anyone know the exact measurements, thread types, lengths, or screw heads that are suitable here? Are there universal set recommendations, or is it better to rely on specific Ikea original spare parts? I also want to avoid having loose or unsuitable screws that could make the furniture unstable. I would be very grateful for any help!

Good question, I understand the feeling when you need replacement screws and aren't sure if they will fit. With BRIMNES, the screws are often metric, usually M4 or M5, but it depends on the exact application. Quick construction screws or connector screws are also often included. I would recommend first checking which original screws are damaged, as a standard set might not cover all types. Do you know the positions of the screws you want to replace?

koduga schrieb:
With BRIMNES, the screws are often metric, usually M4 or M5

Thank you for the information. Most of the screws I need to replace come from the drawer slides of the lower drawers. From what I recall, relatively short screws with a Phillips head were used there. There are also a few wood connectors on the side panel joints that I would like to replace properly.

What I am specifically looking for are details on these screws—their dimensions (length, diameter), thread type, and whether other types of screws might be unsuitable. If anyone has the exact screw specifications from the assembly instructions or spare parts list, that would be very helpful.

The BRIMNES wardrobe is constructed in a fairly classic way when it comes to the screws, but there are some details to keep in mind to ensure stability is not compromised.

- For the side panels: Wooden dowels with connector screws, often M4 x 30 mm (1.2 inches), are usually used. These connector screws have a vertical hex socket (Allen key) and act as connecting bolts.
- The drawer slides often use small pan head screws, M3.5 or M4, approximately 12–16 mm (0.5–0.6 inches) long, which secure the metal profile to the wooden panel.
- For the back panel, small nails or thin screws are commonly used; I would recommend replacing these exactly the same way to avoid increasing tension.

Important: When replacing screws, be sure to consider the material (galvanized steel or stainless steel) and the screw heads (Phillips vs. hex socket) so that the tools fit properly and no damage occurs.

If you still have the assembly instructions, that would be very helpful, as they often include measurements or at least illustrations with screw types. Otherwise, Ikea usually supplies replacement parts that fit perfectly.

For BRIMNES drawers, I have had good experience using M4x16 Phillips screws. The side panels are often connected with M4x30 Allen screws. For the back panel, use 3x15 flat head screws.

Palenar schrieb:
Important: When choosing replacement screws, pay close attention to the material (galvanized steel or stainless steel) and the screw heads (Phillips vs. hex socket), so the tools fit properly and no damage occurs.

This is a very important point that I hadn’t actually considered before. I wonder if Ikea tends to use more galvanized screws or stainless steel ones? And how does the strength compare when using alternative screws from third-party suppliers?

Regarding tools: I only have a basic Phillips screwdriver and a small standard hex key. It would be helpful to know if I should get any additional tools separately.