ᐅ How can you make Ikea Hemnes furniture child-safe – what really works?
Created on: 14 Oct 2020 08:33
V
vaughn49Hello everyone,
I hope someone here with experience can help me: I recently bought some furniture from the IKEA Hemnes series, including dressers and nightstands, because their design fits really well with our children’s room. However, I’m concerned about the safety of our little ones, especially regarding the stability of the furniture and the drawers, which open quite easily.
I’m specifically interested if anyone has tried-and-tested tips for making Hemnes furniture childproof. I’m thinking about measures to prevent tipping (e.g., wall anchors), secure locks for the drawers, or padding for sharp edges. What has worked well in practice, and which solutions are truly reliable without compromising the furniture’s character or functionality too much? I would appreciate any detailed and well-informed answers!
I hope someone here with experience can help me: I recently bought some furniture from the IKEA Hemnes series, including dressers and nightstands, because their design fits really well with our children’s room. However, I’m concerned about the safety of our little ones, especially regarding the stability of the furniture and the drawers, which open quite easily.
I’m specifically interested if anyone has tried-and-tested tips for making Hemnes furniture childproof. I’m thinking about measures to prevent tipping (e.g., wall anchors), secure locks for the drawers, or padding for sharp edges. What has worked well in practice, and which solutions are truly reliable without compromising the furniture’s character or functionality too much? I would appreciate any detailed and well-informed answers!
Hello vaughn49,
Your question about how to childproof IKEA Hemnes furniture hits the mark. I’ve dealt with this myself twice since I have two little whirlwinds at home. Here’s a structured approach that, in my opinion, works best:
- Wall Anchoring: Hemnes furniture is often quite tall and stands on legs, which poses a tipping risk. The included metal brackets for securing to the wall are a must! Make sure the plugs are suitable for your wall type (drywall, concrete, masonry). Holes that are too large or the wrong plugs can make the whole thing useless.
- Drawer Locks: There are special clamp or magnetic locks that can be mounted inside. Magnetic locks are convenient because the drawers appear normal but tend to be a bit more expensive. Alternatively, simple plastic latches attached externally also work well and are easy to use.
- Edge Protection: Hemnes edges are fairly child-friendly—rounded and without sharp corners. If your child is very active, I recommend inexpensive foam edge protectors that can be stuck on. They are self-adhesive and hardly detract from the look.
- Content Securing: Place heavy items at the bottom to avoid making the furniture top-heavy.
- Regular Checks: Screws on furniture tend to loosen, so check them at least once a year.
A common mistake I see is only installing drawer locks but not securing the furniture to the wall. This is dangerous because children like to climb on dressers, and if these aren’t anchored, they can tip over.
If you like, I can put together a list of recommended safety products from the hardware store that I personally use.
Your question about how to childproof IKEA Hemnes furniture hits the mark. I’ve dealt with this myself twice since I have two little whirlwinds at home. Here’s a structured approach that, in my opinion, works best:
- Wall Anchoring: Hemnes furniture is often quite tall and stands on legs, which poses a tipping risk. The included metal brackets for securing to the wall are a must! Make sure the plugs are suitable for your wall type (drywall, concrete, masonry). Holes that are too large or the wrong plugs can make the whole thing useless.
- Drawer Locks: There are special clamp or magnetic locks that can be mounted inside. Magnetic locks are convenient because the drawers appear normal but tend to be a bit more expensive. Alternatively, simple plastic latches attached externally also work well and are easy to use.
- Edge Protection: Hemnes edges are fairly child-friendly—rounded and without sharp corners. If your child is very active, I recommend inexpensive foam edge protectors that can be stuck on. They are self-adhesive and hardly detract from the look.
- Content Securing: Place heavy items at the bottom to avoid making the furniture top-heavy.
- Regular Checks: Screws on furniture tend to loosen, so check them at least once a year.
A common mistake I see is only installing drawer locks but not securing the furniture to the wall. This is dangerous because children like to climb on dressers, and if these aren’t anchored, they can tip over.
If you like, I can put together a list of recommended safety products from the hardware store that I personally use.
nera59 schrieb:
The supplied metal brackets for wall mounting are mandatory!Exactly that: secure furniture to the wall, as this provides the greatest increase in safety. Also, install drawer locks. Nothing more is needed.
nera59 schrieb:
If your child is very energetic, I recommend affordable foam edge protectors that can be stuck on.Great tip! I think edge protection is often underestimated. Especially for wooden furniture like Hemnes, which doesn’t have sharp edges but still has to withstand lots of small bumps and scratches 🙂
And yes, attaching it to the wall is not only safer but also really eases the nerves. A little toddler’s wild play can get quite intense. With the magnetic locks, the furniture doesn’t feel “nailed shut” either – a very elegant solution.
A small addition from my side: to let the little one explore without stress, it’s worth leaving a drawer at the bottom without a lock. This way, the child can put things in there without frustration. It helps create a more relaxed atmosphere 😉
vin_leo schrieb:
A little toddler chaos can really get out of hand.I can definitely agree with that! My daughter is also quite a little whirlwind. One more note:
When it comes to drawer locks, it’s important to test their functionality before installation. Some cheap models close but don’t hold securely over time. I recommend branded products, even if they cost a bit more.
And another tip: When securing the dresser to the wall, check whether the wall brackets can be tightened with a security screwdriver. This makes it harder for children to loosen them.
Overall, a combination of wall mounting, high-quality drawer locks, and edge protection is the best way to make Hemnes furniture child-safe. It saves your nerves and effectively protects your little ones.
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