Hello everyone, I have a question about the Ikea Hemnes dresser with the typical drawers. My problem is that I want to adjust the drawer height to accommodate larger items. Is there a recommended method to change the height of the drawers in this model? Specifically, I’m wondering if the internal shelves can be repositioned or if you can only remove the existing drawers and possibly modify them. It would be great if someone who has done this before could explain the best approach, which parts might be needed, or what to watch out for to ensure everything remains stable and the drawer mechanism functions properly. Thanks in advance for your advice!
Adjusting the height of the drawers in Ikea HEMNES furniture can be a bit tricky, as the system is fairly fixed. First of all, you should know that the HEMNES chest of drawers normally comes with fixed shelves that the drawers slide on. These shelves are usually not height-adjustable because they are recessed into the cabinet frame.
However, here is what you can do:
- Remove the drawers completely and take out the shelves if possible (on some models, the shelves are pressed in and can be removed).
- The drawers themselves are generally fixed in height. Modifying them requires cutting or altering the drawer front or the sides to create more interior space.
- Alternatively, you can try refixing the individual shelves by adding your own supports, such as small wooden strips or metal brackets that are screwed to the inside of the cabinet. This way, you can somewhat vary the position of the drawers.
Important:
- Make sure the drawer runners (usually metal or plastic slides) are properly aligned afterward, otherwise the drawers won’t slide smoothly.
- In some cases, it’s possible to remove a drawer entirely and install a fixed shelf instead to create storage space for larger items.
- If you plan to use saws or other tools to modify the drawers, carefully check the stability of the construction beforehand.
I would be interested to know: What exactly do you want to store that is taller than the standard drawer height? There might be specific recommendations for that.
However, here is what you can do:
- Remove the drawers completely and take out the shelves if possible (on some models, the shelves are pressed in and can be removed).
- The drawers themselves are generally fixed in height. Modifying them requires cutting or altering the drawer front or the sides to create more interior space.
- Alternatively, you can try refixing the individual shelves by adding your own supports, such as small wooden strips or metal brackets that are screwed to the inside of the cabinet. This way, you can somewhat vary the position of the drawers.
Important:
- Make sure the drawer runners (usually metal or plastic slides) are properly aligned afterward, otherwise the drawers won’t slide smoothly.
- In some cases, it’s possible to remove a drawer entirely and install a fixed shelf instead to create storage space for larger items.
- If you plan to use saws or other tools to modify the drawers, carefully check the stability of the construction beforehand.
I would be interested to know: What exactly do you want to store that is taller than the standard drawer height? There might be specific recommendations for that.
A brief step-by-step guide on how to adjust the drawer height in the Ikea HEMNES system:
- Step 1: Open the cabinet and check if the shelves are removable. In most HEMNES dressers, they are either glued or slotted in, sometimes secured with small nails.
- Step 2: If the shelves can be removed, you can reinstall them at the desired height. If there are no pre-existing holes, you may need to carefully drill new ones—make sure to keep them level and stable.
- Step 3: The drawers themselves usually cannot have their height adjusted unless you rebuild them. If you want to do this, remove the front panel and bottom, then add new side panels at the appropriate height.
Common mistakes include:
- Drilling too deep, which weakens the structure.
- Misaligning the shelves so they are not square, leading to drawers that hang or do not slide properly.
- Overlooking the hardware (drawer slides) – these need to be reinstalled or adjusted accordingly.
In conclusion: If you want more volume, consider removing the lower drawers completely and using the space as a large open compartment instead. This keeps the unit stable while providing flexibility.
Hope this helps you out.
- Step 1: Open the cabinet and check if the shelves are removable. In most HEMNES dressers, they are either glued or slotted in, sometimes secured with small nails.
- Step 2: If the shelves can be removed, you can reinstall them at the desired height. If there are no pre-existing holes, you may need to carefully drill new ones—make sure to keep them level and stable.
- Step 3: The drawers themselves usually cannot have their height adjusted unless you rebuild them. If you want to do this, remove the front panel and bottom, then add new side panels at the appropriate height.
Common mistakes include:
- Drilling too deep, which weakens the structure.
- Misaligning the shelves so they are not square, leading to drawers that hang or do not slide properly.
- Overlooking the hardware (drawer slides) – these need to be reinstalled or adjusted accordingly.
In conclusion: If you want more volume, consider removing the lower drawers completely and using the space as a large open compartment instead. This keeps the unit stable while providing flexibility.
Hope this helps you out.
reybo schrieb:
What exactly do you want to store that is taller than the standard drawer height? Good question! Maybe he wants to store the Moglis collection in the chest of drawers or simply larger folders, which definitely require more space.
Otherwise, my advice: remove the drawers and check whether the middle shelves are actually fixed or just slotted in. If you can remove them, you might consider repositioning them.
Other than that, well, remodeling is sometimes like solving a puzzle without instructions – but at least one with great rewards. 😉
klo40 schrieb:
The drawers themselves usually cannot be adjusted in height unless you modify them. Thanks for the detailed explanation, that really helps! That’s exactly what I meant by the possibility of modifying drawers to make them taller.
reybo schrieb:
What exactly do you want to store that is taller than the standard drawer height? My idea is to store document folders and binders that are simply too tall for most of the HEMNES drawers. Removing drawers is okay, but I still want to keep the furniture as functional as possible and preserve the hardware, like the slides and the operation of the drawers, as much as possible.
I’m curious how you ensure stability in such a modification, for example if you change the drawer front. Is there something like reinforcement or specific screws that work especially well?
Maybe there are alternatives to adjusting the height that still provide more storage space for such documents?
Fulu46 schrieb:
I'm curious how you ensure stability in such a modification, for example if you change the front of the drawers. That's a good point. The stability issue with drawers that you modify yourself usually comes down to the joints between the parts. For HEMNES, the drawers are traditionally made from glued panels. If you shorten or extend the drawer front, you should:
- Reinforce the drawer edges with wood glue
- Attach metal corner brackets on the inside to add extra stability
- Use screws positioned away from the edges to avoid splitting
- Carefully realign the drawer slides to prevent jamming
An alternative is to use a box or crate instead of drawers, which you fit precisely inside the dresser. For larger files, these insert boxes—made of wood or plastic—can be quite practical and more flexible.
One more tip: Ikea sometimes sells stacking boxes designed specifically for HEMNES, which can be useful if the original drawer height is not enough.
What exactly does your dresser version look like? Do your drawer slides run along the side walls or the bottom? Some versions have different details.
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