A toy box is a great way to keep a child’s room neat and organized, but a heavy lid can quickly become a safety hazard. A lid that slams shut may pinch little fingers, create loud noises, or even damage the toy box over time.
Apexstone Soft Close Hinges are designed to solve this problem. Powered by an integrated soft-close gas strut mechanism, they slow the lid before it closes, providing smooth, controlled movement without sudden slamming. Unlike traditional lid supports, these hinges are designed specifically for soft closing and do not hold the lid open.
In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to install soft close hinges on a toy box, how to choose the correct quantity, and how to avoid common installation mistakes.
Installing soft close hinges offers several important benefits for both children and parents.
A slow, controlled closing motion helps reduce the risk of pinched fingers by preventing the lid from slamming shut unexpectedly.
No more loud bangs every time the toy box is closed. Soft-close hinges make every closing motion smooth and quiet.
Repeated impacts from a heavy lid can loosen screws, damage hinges, or crack wooden toy boxes. Soft closing helps reduce wear over time.
Most wooden toy boxes can be upgraded without replacing the existing box, making installation simple and cost-effective.
Before starting the installation, make sure you have everything ready.
Each Apexstone Soft Close Hinge package includes:
You’ll need:
The number of hinges depends on the lid weight.
| Lid Weight | Recommended Quantity |
|---|---|
| Up to 30 lb | 1 Soft Close Hinge |
| 30–70 lb | 2 Soft Close Hinges |
If you’re unsure, installing two hinges provides the smoothest and most balanced soft-close performance.
Start by locating the lower mounting point. This determines the position of the entire hinge system.
Position the lower mounting point approximately:
Next, fully extend the hinge’s soft-close mechanism to locate the upper mounting point.
The upper mounting point is typically positioned about 4 inches above the bottom edge of the lid.
If your toy box has a deep lid profile, adjust the mounting position to avoid interference during operation.
Measure the lid depth and refer to it as X.
Position the lower mounting point:
Fully extend the soft-close mechanism to locate the upper mounting point.
The upper mounting point is generally positioned about 4 inches above the bottom edge of the lid.
Tip: Install one screw per bracket first. This allows easy adjustment before permanently securing the brackets.
Align the center of each mounting bracket with the marked mounting point.
Secure each bracket using one screw initially.
Once you’ve confirmed the hinge operates correctly, install the remaining screws to permanently secure both brackets.
Snap each end of the hinge onto the ball studs of the mounting brackets.
Apply gentle pressure until you hear a distinct click, indicating the connection is fully engaged.
Take your time to align the hinge correctly before forcing the connection.
Open and close the lid several times.
The lid should close smoothly and quietly without slamming.
If the lid still closes too quickly, install a second hinge on the opposite side if the lid weight falls within the recommended range.
Once you’re satisfied with the performance, tighten all mounting screws securely.
Avoid these common mistakes during installation.
Incorrect bracket placement may reduce the effectiveness of the soft-close mechanism.
Always follow the recommended mounting dimensions.
Only install one screw per bracket during the initial setup.
This allows you to make small adjustments if necessary.
Heavier lids require two hinges for balanced, reliable soft closing.
Using only one hinge may reduce performance.
Always test the lid several times before completing the installation.
Small adjustments can make a significant difference in soft-close performance.
If you still don’t fully understand after reading the image and text installation instructions above, you can refer to the video below.
No.
Apexstone Soft Close Hinges are designed to provide controlled soft closing only. They do not support or hold the lid in the open position.
Yes.
For lids up to 30 lb, one hinge is typically sufficient.
For lids between 30–70 lb, we recommend using two hinges.
They fit most wooden toy boxes, toy chests, storage boxes, and blanket chests with flip-top lids.
No.
In most cases, Apexstone Soft Close Hinges can be installed alongside your existing hinges.
Installing Apexstone Soft Close Hinges is one of the easiest ways to make a toy box safer, quieter, and more enjoyable to use. With the correct mounting position and proper installation, you’ll enjoy smooth, controlled lid closing while helping protect little fingers from accidental slamming.
Whether you’re upgrading an existing toy box or building a new one, following the steps in this guide will ensure the best soft-close performance for years to come.
Continue exploring our toy box safety guides:
Installing gas struts may seem difficult at first, but the process is straightforward when you choose the right gas spring and install it at the
If your gas struts won’t close or are extremely difficult to compress, don’t assume they’re defective. In most cases, the problem is caused by one
