Fitting Ikea Utrusta hinges to Akurum Cabinets

Yes, you can fit Ikea's Utrusta hinges (specifically the 153-degree type) to older Akurum cabinets (w/ Integral hinges) with slight modification. You'll need:

  • gumption: this is not a direct bolt-on modification and it finds you drilling larger keyholes in your now-discontinued doors
  • 153-degree hinges: these are available new at IKEA
  • 9/32 drill bit
  • a steady hand
  • the original Akurum T-style mounting plates: Perhaps you already have these mounted — if not, you'll need to find some or drill new pilot holes for the flat Sektion style — even more nerve wracking.

At first glance, the older Integral hinges and the 153-degree Utrusta are identical. They are not. They're close — and usable — but they are not direct bolt-on replacements. In order to use them, you'll need to drill larger keyholes in your doors. If you have your old/existing T-style mounting plates, you can re-use them (they are a direct bolt on), but if you don't, you'll either have to find some in an Integral set or drill new holes for the Utrusta / Flat-style as the hold configuration between the cabinets are different (side/side vs. top/bottom). Neither are hard, but if you're not careful, you can screw up a door that is no longer made. Here's how to do it and avoid catastrophe:

Duo

You can see the key "nuggets" are a bit larger on the Utrusta necessitating that you either shave them off or drill slightly larger keyholes in your doors.

IMG_0322You'll want to retain your original T-style mounting plates. You can certainly drill new holes for the Utrusta ones (they're more adjustable), but in many cases, the fewer holes in particleboard, the better.

IMG_0325Drilling larger holes is nerve-wracking. Be careful that the drill bit doesn't surge forward and puncture the face of the cabinet. I used a 9/32 drill bit… a tight fit, still, but better than to big. A rubber mallet helped to nest them in place.

IMG_0323All mounted up… now we can install the drawers inside the cabinet… something we should have done a loooong time ago.

IMG_0326You can compare the older style Integral hinge here with the Utrusta hinge (one picture above). They're similar, but not exact.

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