How to make Alex Drawers from IKEA open all the way - Simple and Easy Modification

[@nicholeenan2747]

You just blew my mind! I am a crafter and it made me sick having all that space wasted! THANK YOU!

[@triciag3311]

You're a genius! I have these drawers and I was always so annoyed that I can't use the whole drawer. I'm so excited to do this! Thank you!

[@alphonsesuitperson]

Additional hack, use some clear packing tape, or any tape really, I had 2 inch/~5cm tape to tape the toothpick to the side of the drawer once in. I was having issues with the toothpick eventually wobbling itself out, and not with the string breaking, this helps keep everything in place, and is nearly invisible if you use clear tape. Love this, doing my 2nd set of drawers now and came back to get the apx length to use again.

[@nans969]

Brilliant. I will definitely try this on a couple drawers. I might try a Bobby pin instead of the tooth pick.

[@chris_wizzudz]

Saving this one for when I get my own ALEX drawers. This is really helpful!

[@jlr1487]

I have 4 of those white Alex cabinets, my variant is 3 bigger bottom drawers, and 2 smaller top drawers (like yours). On the lower one, I "forgot" to screw the drawer sides to the metal slide, which results in full extension, actually endless extension.... Obviously not ideal, but I have nothing heavy in there, no kids around, so it works for me. I always wondered why IKEA did not provide proper full extension slides ? Soft close would have been a nice option also.

[@AnaAbreuC3]

🙋🏻‍♀️ I just used this hack on my Alex Ekby drawers, thank you for sharing the hack!! 👍🏻

[@janalowe5483]

Thanks for the hack! That is my biggest pet peeve when drawers don't open all the way

[@erin.anderson]

This actually gave me an idea of something to try; this is a great simple solution. Thank you for sharing!

[@digit5951]

You're a genius! Very easy! Thank you

[@deco4k677]

Nice solution! Also even with the drawer fully extended the string isn't holding all the weight so even if one snaps while in tension the drawer shouldn't fall... however do not put aditional weight (like leaning on it) while open; this would damage the unit even if not modified.

[@Practice_Kindness-1st]

Thank you for posting your video. Very helpful!

[@gridfi]

Awesome solution! The back of the drawers often gets wasted. How are the rubber bands holding up after a year?

[@taratea9211]

Seriously Genius! ❤ Thank you for sharing!

[@tabi8397]

Hi! Thank you so much for this tutorial, I was wondering if this would also work on the Ikea Ekby Alex drawers? I imagine it’s the exact same Alex drawers. Thank you again!

[@omegaandromeda6368]

Very Good Instructions!

[@СергейСысоев-м3ъ]

👍thank you for old lego video🤝

[@tsunimee]

I am happy with all my drawers and how much they extend (They open 80%) It's just the top one which is stupid and doesn't open as fully as the others. (maybe 60%?) Really tempted to fix my top drawer. Thank you so much xx

[@TomasAhlroos]

Great hack man. I just realized how I can make a little more permanent of a mod to my 2 drawer unit. Thanks for putting the idea in my head 🤌

[@sammiluu7]

GENIUS!!!!! ❤

[@Scott4271]

BRILLIANT!

[@GerelMatta]

😮 this is awesome!! Thank you!!

[@lidia1407]

Thank you very much. I am going to try this ❤

[@joete3324]

Genius!!!!!!! Thank you

[@mohammedaliakhter308]

Where did you get organizing bins from? I can't seem to find the ones that don't take up too much space in the curved corners and thickness.

[@mikor1121]

I got them locally, the ones that I have are called Allit - EuroPlus

[@secondsandcents2479]

How well does this hold up? Looks like it would break after a few uses.

[@lornelorne5727]

What diameter elastic string are you using?

[@mikor1121]

I think it's 1mm. But it doesn't matter too much. I used this string since that's what I had at home

[@zhangcindy3782]

would a flat spring be better than the rubber band?

[@mikor1121]

I don't know, maybe, I just used a spring that I already had at home

[@ericclone]

Do you really need a rubber band? It seems that some plastic string or fishing line would be stronger.

[@mikor1121]

It will probably work too. I just prefer a rubber sting as it takes up less space between the drawer and drawer slides and makes closing the drawer easier :)

[@ebrettner]

Hello, Ricky Booby we finally meet

[@Maxisokol]

Yo, great idea! Thank you for uploading and sharing this :)

[@doris1998]

That’s genius! How about using metal wire or rods instead of toothpicks ?

[@mikor1121]

That should also work

[@EveryDayAStoryCollects]

Good tip, but how about drilling a second hole instead? Wouldn't that also work and be more effective?

[@ThePiones]

The thing is that the rubber band alows the drawer to close. If you just drilled a hole further in, the drawer wouldn't close. The rubber band mimics how extending sliders work. Still, it's a bit hacky, the rubber band will eventually rot away

[@Danielo515]

why rubber band though?

[@destructionproductions9131]

subscriber # 2,220

[@chilis_no]

Great solution but not perfect. Easier than the other tip which to cut the inner plastic part in the rail(s). Anyway, what idiot at iKEA designet these drawer-rails in the first place?!

[@s13rr4buf3]

They made it this way to avoid lawsuits from furniture falling on toddlers.

[@ivansusic562]

I am so annoyed with Alex drawers... One cannot take drawer out completely without unscrewing two screws... So unpractical for moving etc.

[@mollygrubber]

My drawers are full of heavy paint bottles. This would be a disaster for me - the slides would push apart from the weight and the drawer would fall through them. Beware if you do this hack.

[@zasbill1988]

This is so dumb. Use a drill and just make a new hole instead of rubber bands and tooth picks…

[@mikor1121]

I've already tried it and it would not work. The drawers would not be able to fully close + only the top drawer would be fully accessible. Because they would not be able to fully close, the top drawer would block the 2nd drawer and the 2nd drawer would block the 3rd drawer etc. The point of rubber bands is to allow the drawers to move a bigger distance.

[@s13rr4buf3]

You would be propping the drawer open that way. However, if you're just storing lightweight stuff in the drawer, you could just remove the screws and call it a day.

[@AymieCO]

Here thanks to @marioncameleon 😂💪🏻