Furniture Shortening in Warsaw — Trimming to Size Without Replacement

Wardrobe does not fit under the ceiling after renovation? Chest of drawers too tall and hitting the windowsill? Table does not fit into the kitchen alcove? Buying new furniture because of a few extra centimetres makes no sense. We shorten furniture on site: trim by height, width or depth, finish the edge, reassemble. We work with chipboard, MDF, solid wood — across Warsaw.

How much does furniture shortening cost

The cost depends on the material, number of cuts and complexity. Trimming table legs is one job. Shortening a wardrobe by 10 cm with relocating the top, back panel and hinges is another. Price is affected by board thickness, surface finish, whether new edge banding is needed, and how many parts require recutting. Current rates in the table below.

How the shortening works

1. We measure the furniture and the available space. We determine how much to remove and from which side.
2. We disassemble: remove doors, shelves, back panel, hardware.
3. We mark the cut line allowing for edge banding thickness. We use a guide rail for a clean, chip-free cut.
4. We cut with a circular saw or jigsaw with a laminate blade.
5. We finish the edge: apply melamine or PVC edge banding, trim flush, sand.
6. We re-drill holes for shelf supports, hinges — everything shifts after cutting.
7. We reassemble, check stability, adjust doors and drawers.

Common mistakes when shortening furniture yourself

• Cutting with a jigsaw without a guide — the cut wanders and laminate chips.
• Not accounting for edge banding thickness — the piece ends up 2 mm wider than needed.
• Forgetting the back panel — it also needs trimming.
• Not relocating shelf support holes after the cut.
• Cutting laminated board with a standard blade — chips along the entire line.
• Not checking the floor level after shortening — the furniture wobbles.
• Using sandpaper instead of edge banding — chipboard absorbs moisture and swells.

What to prepare before the visit

• Measure the required height/width exactly — account for skirting boards, cornices, sockets.
• Decide which side to cut from.
• Empty the furniture completely.
• Move it away from the wall.
• Provide 2-3 metres of clear working space.
• If the piece is heavy, let us know — a second person may be needed.
• Cover the floor with film or cardboard — sawdust flies during cutting.
• If you need a specific edge banding colour, buy it in advance.
• Check for hidden wiring or pipes inside (relevant for built-in units).
• Provide the intercom code and parking info.

A real case from Warsaw

A client in Mokotow bought a 240 cm wardrobe, but the ceiling height after a stretch ceiling installation turned out to be 232 cm. Returning the wardrobe was expensive and slow. The technician arrived, disassembled the wardrobe, removed the top and both side panels. He trimmed the sides by 8 cm using a circular saw with a guide rail, finished the edges with 0.4 mm PVC banding in Sonoma oak. He re-drilled the holes for shelf supports and the clothes rail. Reassembled, adjusted the sliding doors. The job took three hours. The wardrobe fit perfectly — 5 mm gap to the ceiling, doors sliding smoothly.

Frequently asked questions

What furniture can be shortened?

Any cabinet furniture: wardrobes, chests, tables, units, shelving, kitchen modules. We also work with solid wood.

By how many centimetres?

Technically any amount. If more than 15-20 cm needs removing, it may be cheaper to order a new panel to size.

Will cut marks be visible?

With proper finishing — no. We apply colour-matched edge banding and trim flush.

Can IKEA furniture be shortened?

Yes. The only nuance is honeycomb-core models: the edge needs capping after the cut.

Does the technician bring edge banding?

Yes, we carry basic colours. For an exact match, best to buy in advance.

How long does it take?

Simple trim — 30-60 minutes. Full wardrobe shortening with reassembly — 2-4 hours.

Who does the work

Shortening is carried out by carpenter-furniture specialists experienced with chipboard, MDF and solid wood. We cover all of Warsaw: Mokotow, Wola, Ursynow, Bemowo, Praga. To book, call or message us.