ᐅ How can IKEA Hemnes furniture be safely dismantled during renovations?

Hello everyone,

I am currently facing the challenge of dismantling several IKEA Hemnes furniture pieces—specifically dressers and shelves—during a renovation, without causing damage to the furniture or the walls. I am particularly interested in which tools and methods have proven effective for properly and carefully removing the furniture, as I want to keep them in good condition for future use.

Does anyone have specific procedures, such as tips for loosening screws, dismantling the back panels, or how to handle glued joints carefully?

I would appreciate any advice that goes beyond the usual “just unscrew” approach and also covers safety aspects during disassembly.

Hello Pila47,

for safely dismantling IKEA Hemnes furniture during renovations, a systematic approach is recommended:

- Before disassembly, locate all existing screws completely and loosen them with the appropriate screwdriver, usually a Phillips (PH2).
- Don’t focus only on visible screws – Hemnes furniture often includes dowels or snap-fit connections that need to be carefully separated.
- For back panels, which are often fixed with small nails, a flat chisel can help gently lift them to avoid damaging the wood.
- For glued joints, it is advisable to carefully warm the adhesive points with a hairdryer or heat gun so the connections can be loosened more easily.
- To protect walls and furniture, use gloves and possibly place furniture pads to prevent scratches or dents.

It is important to dismantle in the reverse order of assembly – this is often well documented in the IKEA assembly instructions. If the instructions are no longer available, they can usually be downloaded from the IKEA website.

In summary: patience when loosening connections and using the right tools are crucial.

tra_nina schrieb:
For back panels, which are often attached with small nails, a flat chisel can be helpful to carefully pry them off without damaging the wood.

I agree with this. Additionally, I would like to point out some specific fine details that are especially important for Hemnes:

- Screws and fasteners: Hemnes furniture is carefully assembled using wooden dowels, metal connectors, and Minifix screws, which can be loosened with a Torx or Phillips screwdriver. Make sure to position the screwdriver precisely into the screw to avoid stripping and damage.

- Back panels: The thin MDF back panels are very delicate. I recommend using a thin putty knife or a specialized furniture lifter, working gently with leverage to avoid tearing.

- Handle glued joints with care: Some Hemnes models also have dowelled and glued joints. If you encounter strong resistance, do not use brute force. Spot heating as described by tra_nina or carefully loosening one joint at a time helps preserve the material.

- Sort the removed parts and screws directly into labeled containers right after disassembly. This makes reassembly much easier.

- My tip: You can also create a detailed photo or video documentation while taking the furniture apart, so no questions remain during reassembly.

If you have more information about the exact model variant, I can provide more specific advice.

Pila47 schrieb:
Does anyone have specific methods, such as tips for loosening screws, dismantling back panels, or how to carefully handle any glued joints?

I would like to point out that safe removal also depends on the quality and condition of the furniture itself.

Some Hemnes furniture, especially older models, were made with more glue than usual, which makes clean disassembly difficult. In such cases, it is worth considering whether removal with damage or preservation of the furniture parts is realistic.

It is also important to take the immediate environment into account. In heavily used or smoky rooms, screws and anchors can be corroded and harder to remove, complicating dismantling.

Personally, I find it useful to check for any existing weak spots—such as small cracks or other damage—during removal, as these can affect stability when the furniture is reassembled.

In other words: when in doubt, careful load testing of individual parts during dismantling is the best way to avoid surprises during later reassembly.

I recommend:
- Using a Phillips screwdriver, preferably with a magnetic tip.
- Carefully loosening the back panel with a spatula, not pulling.
- Warming glued joints with a heat gun.
- Avoiding over-tightening screws.
- Properly supporting the piece of furniture during removal.