IKEA BRIMNES: spare parts, common problems and repairs

The BRIMNES bed solves the storage problem in the bedroom: under the mattress, two or four sliding drawers absorb what you no longer know where to put. But what makes this bed practical is also what complicates its assembly – numerous panels, multiple cam locks, a central section that must be aligned precisely. This guide covers the most fragile parts and the solutions that work.

Which BRIMNES model do you have?

The range covers several sizes, all in melamine panel.

Model	Structural feature
Full (double) 140 cm bed	Central section + 2 or 4 drawers under mattress
Queen 160 cm bed	Same, longer frame supports
Headboard with shelves	Hinged flaps + small latches
3-drawer chest	Autonomous structure, metal drawer slides

Three finishes are available: white, grey and black. The melamine panels are structurally identical between colors. To order a replacement part, do not rely on the color alone: take the article number printed on the label glued under the frame or behind the chest. This is the only reliable identifier.

The central section: the critical point of the BRIMNES

The BRIMNES is not a standard bed. Its frame is divided into three parts – the two sides and a central section that supports the slat support bar. These three elements are joined by round cam locks: two per joint, for a minimum of four cams to be engaged simultaneously.

This is where the assembly becomes demanding. The cam locks must engage on both sides at the same time, without the panels moving. Some users document up to ten attempts before obtaining correct alignment.

Absolute rule: do not tighten any cam locks definitively until the central section is perfectly supported against the two sides. Visually check the alignment along the entire height before turning the cams.

This assembly requires two people. Holding the central section and the two sides in position while engaging the cam locks is impossible alone without risking misalignment or the panels falling.

Common problems with the BRIMNES bed

The screws from step 7 are too short

This is the most reported problem. At step 7 of the instructions, the screws provided are sometimes too short to properly cross the panel and bite into the second element. The assembly holds in appearance, but the joint is not solid.

If a screw turns without final resistance, do not force it. Order replacement screws from the IKEA spare parts service, specifying the article number of the bed. In the meantime: a screw of the same diameter, 3 to 4 mm longer, available at a hardware store, will do temporarily.

Drawers that refuse to enter the rails

The drawers under the bed slide on guide rails fixed to the inside of the frame. If the alignment of the central section is imperfect – even by a few millimeters – the left and right rails are no longer in the same plane. The drawer will not engage.

The solution is not to force it. It is to restart the assembly: loosen the cam locks of the central section, reposition the panels, check that the rails are parallel before re-tightening. A spirit level placed on the rail confirms the horizontality.

The drawer slides themselves can also be the cause. If a tooth is bent or if the slide has come loose, it can be replaced independently of the rest of the mechanism.

The central sagging of the slats

The BRIMNES comes with a LURÔY base (flexible curved slats) or LÔNSET (rigid slats). In both cases, the central support bar rests on the central section of the frame. If this section has play – cam locks not tightened – the bar descends slightly and the central slats lose their tension.

Check the tightening of the cam locks once a year. A quarter turn is often enough to regain the original rigidity.

The headboard with shelves: hinges and latches

The BRIMNES headboard with compartments works on hinged flaps, locked by small latches. These hinges and latches are the easiest parts to lose during a move – and the most difficult to replace with generic equivalents, their dimensions being specific to IKEA. Store them separately in a bag during any disassembly.

Ordering the correct BRIMNES spare part

The BRIMNES has existed since the early 2010s without any major structural evolution documented. Compatibility between generations is generally good, but a screw or drawer slide from a full bed is not necessarily identical to that of the queen.

Have the article number ready before ordering. This is the only way to get the right part the first time.

FAQ

The central section does not align despite several attempts: what to do?
Add an L-bracket at the junction after obtaining the best possible alignment, then tighten the cam locks. This is the solution documented by several users who have encountered this problem repeatedly.

Can the LURÔY base be replaced with a LÔNSET?
Yes, both bases are compatible with the BRIMNES frame. The LÔNSET offers firmer support. Check that the width of the base corresponds to the dimension of your frame.

Are BRIMNES drawer slides compatible with other IKEA beds?
No. BRIMNES drawer slides have specific dimensions related to the height of the frame and the depth of the boxes. They are not interchangeable with HEMNES or MALM slides.