ᐅ How can I upgrade IKEA Hemnes furniture by adding handles afterwards?

Hello everyone,

I recently bought several IKEA Hemnes furniture pieces, mainly dressers and nightstands, and I am considering upgrading them by adding handles to give the fairly simple design a bit more character and perhaps a touch of elegance. My question to the community is: How can I upgrade IKEA Hemnes furniture with handles afterwards without negatively affecting the appearance or compromising the furniture’s stability?

I am open to tips regarding handle shapes, materials, and installation – including whether there are any technical or craftsmanship tricks to keep in mind, such as precise positioning of the drill holes or recommendations for suitable screws. I am also interested in whether you have experience with particular handles that work especially well with the white or the dark version of Hemnes.

Thank you in advance for your help!

Hello Elnar,

to answer your questions thoroughly, I will proceed systematically.

First, regarding the choice of material: Hemnes furniture is usually made of solid pine wood, which generally makes attaching handles easier since you can easily pre-drill holes. It is important to choose suitable screws that are neither too short – otherwise they won’t hold well – nor too long, as they could damage the inner sides. It’s best to measure the panel thickness, which for Hemnes is typically around 1.6 to 1.8 cm (0.6 to 0.7 inches). Screws about 15 to 20 mm (0.6 to 0.8 inches) long are often optimal.

For the positioning of the handles: it is advisable to use any existing holes exactly if they are present or to work with templates to ensure a symmetrical arrangement. Many specify a screw hole distance of 128 mm (5 inches) for Hemnes. If you are installing new handles, you should observe these measurements and ideally use a ruler or a drilling template.

Materials for handles: stainless steel and brushed metal look modern and match well with white Hemnes models. For darker variants, bronze- or brass-colored handles are recommended, as they create a warm and inviting appearance. Leather handles are also an aesthetic alternative, but you should pay attention to the fastening methods here since they often require different tools.

A small tip at the end: double-check all measurements multiple times before drilling and, if possible, pre-drill with a narrow drill bit to avoid splintering the wood. If you feel unsure, try the installation on an inconspicuous piece of furniture or a wooden strip first.

What kind of handle shapes are you considering? Round, square, elongated, or something more decorative? This can strongly affect the visual impression.

Best regards!

Wyatt schrieb:
What types of handles are you considering? Rounded, square, elongated, or more decorative designs? This can significantly affect the overall look.

I agree with that, but I especially want to highlight the aspect of functionality. Choosing handles is not only a design decision; it can also impact daily use. A large, heavily textured handle might look interesting but could get in the way when interacting with the furniture.

Furthermore, I would question whether simply changing the handles will truly enhance the furniture’s appearance in the long term, or if it might disrupt the harmony with other pieces. Custom solutions like handle strips or even making your own handles are a different matter—but these require appropriate craftsmanship skills and a clear sense of style and proportion.

Otherwise: What tools do you plan to use for installation? A power drill is helpful, but a hand drill can be a good alternative when precision and care are needed. I would like to know more about your intended use and requirements before giving a final recommendation.

Hello Elnar,

I would like to add a brief guide to this thread that might help you with the retrofitting of handles on IKEA Hemnes furniture.

1. Preparation:
- Clean the surface of the furniture.
- Use a tape measure and pencil to mark the drilling points precisely. Hemnes drawers typically have a hole spacing of 128 mm (5 inches).
- Ideally, create a paper template to ensure symmetry.

2. Drilling:
- Use a drill bit with the exact diameter needed for the handle screws, usually 4 mm (5/32 inches).
- Drill slowly and straight to avoid splintering.
- With the Hemnes construction, be cautious not to drill too deep, as the back panel and drawers are made from relatively thin wood.

3. Handle Installation:
- Insert the screws from inside through the pre-drilled holes.
- Place the handle on the outside of the furniture and tighten the screws.
- Check the stability but avoid overtightening the screws.

4. Tips:
- Some handles are easier to install if they include mounting plates or spacers to improve fit.
- For a visual accent, you can mix handles, for example, metal handles with screws in contrasting colors.
- If you use metal handles, placing small plastic washers between the furniture and the screw heads can protect the wood.

In summary, installation is possible without extensive woodworking and is relatively simple due to the soft construction of Hemnes, as long as you measure and drill carefully. If you’re unsure about the technique, I recommend having someone assist you with checking.

Good luck!

I installed stainless steel handles on my Hemnes dressers. Important points:
- Measure and mark the hole spacing exactly at 128 mm (5 inches).
- Pre-drill with a 4 mm (0.16 inch) drill bit.
- Choose screws preferably shorter than the material thickness.
- Tighten the handles evenly and straight.

That’s all you need to nicely enhance the look.