ᐅ Are there any tips for protecting Ikea Hemnes furniture from scratches?

Hello everyone,

Some time ago, I bought a few IKEA Hemnes furniture pieces. The painted wood surface looks nice but shows some scratches, likely caused by everyday use or possibly pets.

My specific question: Are there effective tips or proven methods to protect the painted Hemnes furniture from scratching? I’m not only thinking about simple care products but also mechanical protection or practical precautions for daily use.

Has anyone had experience with approaches that work well without negatively affecting the appearance or feel of the furniture? I want to keep the furniture looking good for as long as possible without having to do major repairs or repainting.

I look forward to your tips and recommendations!

The easiest solution is to attach felt pads under furniture or on frequently touched areas. Additionally, you can apply transparent edge protection films, which are barely visible and help reduce scratches.

The Hemnes surface is painted, which unfortunately makes it relatively prone to scratches. To prevent damage over the long term, I recommend the following approach:

- First, clean the furniture thoroughly to avoid dirt causing abrasion marks.
- Then, apply matte furniture or clear lacquer boosters, which are available at hardware stores. These create an additional protective layer.
- Especially on edges, it helps to attach narrow transparent edge protectors (made of silicone or plastic). These absorb impacts and prevent direct abrasion.
- For furniture in homes with pets, regularly trimming claws and wiping the furniture with care wipes specifically designed for painted surfaces is worthwhile.

A question from my side: Are the scratches mainly caused by pets or by everyday wear and tear? This affects the best method to use.

Dilen schrieb:
A question from my side: Are the scratches mainly caused by pets or everyday wear and tear?

Thank you for the detailed response! The scratches are mostly from regular use and occasional moving of furniture. There are no pets, but there are sometimes children playing on the surfaces.

The idea of clear coat boosters sounds interesting. Do they require special maintenance after application or need to be reapplied frequently?

To complement the previous posts:

Hemnes furniture has a melamine resin coating that provides some protection, but it is not a fully scratch-resistant finish. Therefore, mechanical protective measures are advisable. Some recommendations:

- Attach felt pads at contact points with other surfaces, cabinets, and doors.
- For regular use, I recommend applying a transparent, self-adhesive protective film specifically designed for furniture. This helps reduce direct abrasion.
- If a scratch occurs: minor scratches can be treated with special furniture wax or polishing agents for lacquered surfaces without the need for complete refinishing.

It is important to avoid using harsh or abrasive cleaning products, as they can further damage the protective coating.

I think sometimes a little caution goes a long way! Simply place a nice tablecloth or a decorative protective fleece under frequently used surfaces.

Honestly, with kids and furniture like Hemnes, you won’t keep everything completely scratch-free, but it helps a lot. And yes, felt pads are a brilliant invention – almost like little bodyguards for your furniture 😉

Oh, and for those who like to get creative: there are also furniture touch-up markers in wood tones that let you easily fix small scratches!