Drawer Systems Compatible with IKEA Faktum: Dimensions & Kitchen Installation Tips

A suitable drawer system for IKEA Faktum requires exact coordination with the cabinet depth of 580 mm and ideally uses drawer runners with a nominal length of 500 mm.

The Faktum kitchen system was the household standard for years. Whilst the cabinets made of melamine-coated chipboard often last for decades, moving hardware components are subject to natural wear and tear. When old runners jam, soft-close dampers fail, or plastic rollers break, a replacement is due. A jammed kitchen drawer disrupts everyday cooking – you exert too much force and end up damaging the surrounding material.

Since the original hardware range for this series is no longer produced by the manufacturer, joiners and fitters turn to standardised drawer systems that are compatible with the original grid dimensions. This guide provides the technical specifications needed to select the right fittings to repair or upgrade a Faktum cabinet.

Key Purchasing Criteria for Faktum Replacement Fittings

When replacing hardware in existing cabinets, there is no room for guesswork. The geometry of the carcass dictates the choice of fittings.

Cabinet Depth and Nominal Length

Faktum base units feature a standard external depth of 600 mm including the front panel. The pure internal carcass depth (excluding front and back panel) is generally 580 mm. For this depth, a runner nominal length of 500 mm is required. Shorter runners waste storage space, whilst longer ones collide with the back panel.

Cabinet Width and Internal Clearance

The external widths of the cabinets are fixed. However, for installing kitchen cabinet pull-outs, the internal clear width is decisive. With a side panel thickness of 18 mm per side, calculate: external width minus 36 mm. A kitchen cabinet pull-out 60 cm therefore requires an exact internal clear width of 564 mm. If you plan to install into narrower units, apply the same deduction. A kitchen cabinet pull-out 40 cm demands an internal width of 364 mm.

Load Capacity in Kilograms

Kitchen drawers handle heavy duties. The weight of pots, pans, or stacks of crockery accumulates quickly.

• 30 kg: Sufficient for cutlery drawers and lightweight provisions.
• 40 kg - 50 kg: Necessary for pull-outs holding plates, pans, or tinned goods. Here, heavy duty drawer runners are strictly required to prevent the front from sagging when fully open.

Drilling Pattern and System 32

The side panels of Faktum cabinets feature rows of holes spaced 32 mm apart. This System 32 simplifies the installation of standardised runners. The hole diameter is 5 mm, which allows the use of Euro screws (pan head, Ø 6.3 mm). In chipboard, these offer significantly higher pull-out resistance than conventional wood screws.

Technical Overview of Runner Types

Not every runner fits every drawer box. The choice of runner determines smooth running, comfort, and the overall drawer construction.

Full Extension vs Single Extension

A single extension runner pulls out to roughly 75% from the carcass. The rear section of the drawer remains hidden inside the unit, making access to stored items difficult. A full extension runner pulls out to 100%. For kitchen base units, full extension drawer runners are the technical standard, as they significantly improve ergonomics.

Runner Types

• Roller runners: The simplest design. A plastic roller runs on an epoxy-coated steel profile. They require low maintenance, but exhibit greater lateral play and a lower load capacity.
• Ball bearing runners: Steel balls run inside a ball cage between the runner profiles. They are screwed to the side of the drawer, provide high lateral stability, and are frequently available in heavy-duty ratings.
• Undermount runners: The runners are mounted invisibly beneath the drawer base. The drawer rests directly on top. Undermount drawer runners provide the smoothest gliding motion and reduce internal width loss because no side clearance is required for the mechanism.

Opening and Closing Mechanisms

Please note: soft-close dampers and push-to-open mechanisms rely on opposing technical principles and cannot be combined within a single mechanical runner.

• Soft-Close: An integrated hydraulic damper brakes the drawer during the final centimetres, and a spring gently pulls it completely shut without noise. Soft close drawer runners are ideal for handleless fronts with recessed grips or classic front panels with handles.
• Push-to-Open: Also known as tip-on. A light press on the handleless front releases a tensioned spring that pushes the drawer open slightly. Push to open drawer runners require active pressure when closing to re-tension the spring. Mechanical soft-closing is not possible in this combination.

Which System for Which Situation?

Choosing the correct replacement hardware depends on the condition of the existing drawer and the desired level of convenience.

• Scenario 1: The original wooden drawer is intact, but the runner is jammed.

  Measure the old runner. Was it side-mounted with a thickness of 12.7 mm? A ball bearing or roller runner is the direct replacement. Use the existing pre-drilled holes.

• Scenario 2: Upgrading to modern standards.

  Choose a complete metal drawer box system (metal side panels including undermount runners). The old wooden drawer box is discarded. You only need the original base (or a new custom cut panel made from 16 mm chipboard), the old back panel, and the original Faktum front.

• Scenario 3: Heavy cookware is warping the current drawer.

  Switch to a system with at least 40 kg load capacity and integrated side stabilisation. Ball-bearing heavy-duty runners provide the sturdiest solution here.

Installation Tips: Fitting into a Faktum Carcass

Retrofitting requires precision. A deviation of just a few millimetres results in uneven gap alignment or jammed runners.

Required Tools

• Cordless screwdriver with PZ2 bit (Pozidriv)
• Folding rule or tape measure
• Bradawl
• Spirit level
• Pencil

Step-by-Step Installation

1. Dismantling: Remove old runners entirely. Clear dust and debris from the pre-drilled holes inside the carcass.
2. Height planning: Determine the position for the new runners. Use the lowest row of holes as a baseline for the bottom drawer. Ensure runners are installed perfectly level.
3. Cabinet fastening: Use the 5 mm System 32 holes. Secure the carcass runner with Euro screws (6.3 x 13 mm). Use at least three screws per runner (front, middle, back), or four for heavy-duty runners.
4. Front fixing: For new metal drawer systems, front fixing brackets must be mounted to the original Faktum front panel. Measure the position precisely from the bottom edge of the front. Pre-drill with a 3 mm bit to a maximum depth of 12 mm to avoid drilling through the front panel. Secure the brackets with wood screws (Ø 3.5 mm or 4 mm).
5. Adjustment: Modern systems feature eccentric adjustment screws hidden behind side cover caps. Adjust the height first to achieve an even horizontal gap (typically 3 mm to 4 mm). Then adjust the lateral tilt.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do Metod drawers fit directly into Faktum cabinets? No. The newer Metod system is based on different cabinet depths and a different hole grid. Components from the two ranges are not interchangeable. You must use universal fittings from independent hardware manufacturers.

Which screws do I need for installing drawer runners? For pre-drilled 5 mm holes in the carcass, Euro screws are required. For mounting hardware directly into timber panels without pre-drilled holes, use countersunk chipboard screws (Ø 3.5 mm or 4.0 mm, maximum length 15 mm for an 18 mm board thickness).

Can I retrofit a soft-close damper without replacing the runners? Yes, provided the existing runners move smoothly. Add-on furniture dampers can be fitted to the inside of the carcass. They catch the drawer and pull it shut using an activator pin. However, this is often only a temporary solution.

How can I best organise the inside of the new drawer? Once the new system is installed, use internal storage accessories matched to your clear internal width. A kitchen drawer organiser prevents cutlery and utensils from sliding, especially in systems without soft-closing mechanisms.