One of the most frequently asked questions and biggest frustrations when installing an IKEA METOD kitchen: How do I mount the wooden kitchen front on my dishwasher?
If you buy a dishwasher at IKEA, the front fits perfectly and installation is fairly straightforward. But many people choose to keep their own dishwasher (from Bosch, Siemens or Miele, for example) or buy a specific premium brand. And that is where the challenge begins.
The Problem: IKEA Cabinets Are Taller Than Standard
The IKEA METOD cabinets have a height of 80 cm, and the plinth (baseboard) is relatively low (8 cm). The total height of the front is therefore 80 cm.
However, standard built-in dishwashers from other brands are designed for cabinets of about 72 to 78 cm high, with a higher plinth.
When you mount an 80 cm high IKEA front directly on the door of a standard dishwasher, the front sticks out too far at the bottom. As soon as you open the dishwasher, the bottom of the wooden front collides with the plinth or against the bottom of the dishwasher itself. As a result, the door cannot fully open (or not at all)!
The Solutions
Fortunately, there are solutions to solve this 'height problem'.
| Solution | Best for | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| XXL / extra high dishwasher | Buying new | VarioHinge / sliding door system |
| VÅGLIG rail | Drawer-look fronts | Connects multiple fronts as one unit |
| BEHJÄLPLIG sliding hinge | Existing fixed-door dishwasher | Front slides up when opening |
1. Buy an 'XXL' or 'Extra High' Model Dishwasher
The best solution is preventive: if you buy a new dishwasher for your IKEA kitchen, specifically buy an XXL dishwasher with a 'VarioHinge' (at Bosch/Siemens) or 'Sliding door system'. These dishwashers are specially made for high fronts and low plinths. With a VarioHinge, the front slides up slightly when opening, so it doesn't collide with the plinth.
2. Use the IKEA BEHJÄLPLIG or VÅGLIG Hinge
Do you already have a standard dishwasher (without sliding door/VarioHinge)? Then IKEA itself offers solutions.
- VÅGLIG: This is a metal connection rail that you mount on the front of the dishwasher. This allows you to connect multiple drawer fronts (e.g., 2x 40cm or 1x 20cm and 1x 60cm drawer) together so they can be mounted on the dishwasher as a single unit. It doesn't solve the hinge problem itself directly, but is necessary for the look if you use drawer-looks.
- BEHJÄLPLIG (The sliding hinge): This is the system from IKEA to make a non-IKEA dishwasher (with a fixed door) work. It is a complex metal sliding system that you mount on the dishwasher door and the kitchen front. When you open the dishwasher, this hinge ensures that the wooden front literally slides upwards (over the dishwasher door), which frees the bottom and stops it from colliding with the plinth.
[!WARNING] The installation of the BEHJÄLPLIG is notorious for its difficult manual and many steps. It requires extreme precision: a millimeter crooked and the system rubs or jams.
Step-by-Step Plan for Mounting the Front (with sliding hinge/BEHJÄLPLIG)
- Level: Ensure the dishwasher is 100% level in its niche and securely screwed to the adjacent cabinets or the worktop.
- Templates: Use the paper templates (supplied with the dishwasher or the BEHJÄLPLIG) very carefully. Stick them to the inside of your beautiful wooden IKEA front with painter's tape.
- Pre-drilling: Drill the marked holes not too deep (use a drill stop or a piece of tape around your drill bit) to prevent drilling through the face of the front.
- Assembly: Attach the rails or plastic sliders to the wooden front and the metal brackets to the dishwasher.
- Testing and Adjustment: Click the front onto the door. Open and close slowly. Use the Allen keys (and the screws of the dishwasher door) to tighten the tension of the dishwasher springs (the wooden front is very heavy; without tighter springs, the door will crash open).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why doesn't a standard dishwasher front fit an IKEA kitchen?
IKEA METOD cabinets have a height of 80 cm with a relatively low plinth (8 cm). Standard built-in dishwashers from other brands are designed for cabinets of about 72 to 78 cm high with a higher plinth. When you mount an 80 cm high IKEA front directly on a standard dishwasher, the front sticks out too far at the bottom and collides with the plinth when opening.
What is the BEHJÄLPLIG sliding hinge?
The BEHJÄLPLIG is IKEA's system to make a non-IKEA dishwasher (with a fixed door) work. It is a complex metal sliding system that you mount on the dishwasher door and the kitchen front. When you open the dishwasher, the hinge makes the wooden front slide upwards, freeing the bottom so it doesn't collide with the plinth.
Which dishwasher should I buy for an IKEA kitchen?
If you buy a new dishwasher, specifically buy an XXL dishwasher with a VarioHinge (at Bosch/Siemens) or a sliding door system. These are specially made for high fronts and low plinths, so the front slides up slightly when opening.
Can't See the Wood for the Trees?
Solving the 'dishwasher puzzle' is often the longest part of an entire kitchen assembly. Is the BEHJÄLPLIG hinge running stiffly, or can you simply not get the front straight?
The fitters at Montage Vandaag know the IKEA systems (including all dishwasher tricks) inside out. We mount the front dead straight, perfectly level, and operating smoothly. Contact us for a fixed price quote.