ᐅ Are there any upcycling ideas for old Ikea HEMNES shelves?

Hello everyone,

I have some old Ikea Hemnes shelving units that I no longer want to use in their original condition. Since I really appreciate sustainability and creativity in living spaces, I’m especially interested in upcycling as an alternative to disposal or simply reusing them in their standard form.

Are there any practical, creative, or even unusual upcycling ideas for HEMNES shelves here in the forum? I’m particularly looking for suggestions on how to redesign the shelves so that they’re not only decorative but also functional, possibly involving a bit of DIY skills.

How do you usually handle old furniture like this? Thanks in advance!

I find your question very interesting because HEMNES furniture, due to its classic construction, is well suited for upcycling.

However, it is important to keep in mind that the material mainly consists of spruce wood and is partly veneered, which means it cannot be sanded or painted indefinitely without damaging the surface.

Gateo schrieb:
Are there any practical, creative, or unusual upcycling ideas specifically for the HEMNES shelves here in the forum?

Any idea needs to be based on stable wooden parts. For example, shelves could be disassembled and individual elements repurposed into wall-mounted shelves or simple desk organizers. It would be necessary to check if the fittings support such modifications.

I have often simply sanded my HEMNES shelves and treated them with furniture oil, which refreshes the wood nicely. For the garden, you can build small plant shelves from them.

Regarding upcycling: Remove doors from shelving units and cover them with fabric to create decorative shelf compartments for textiles or as laundry baskets.

I find a structured approach to be sensible: carefully measure the HEMNES shelves and assess their condition, then thoughtfully consider what can be reasonably remade from the wood.

- Shelf components can usually be converted into benches quite well
- Adding extra inserts or doors can optimize storage space
- Original fittings do limit the possibilities, but with some screwing, more is achievable

The idea of redesigning the shelf doors for textile storage is practical and easy to implement.

Thanks for the helpful suggestions so far.

bijo54 schrieb:
You can build small plant shelves for the garden from that.

I find that very interesting! Especially since the wood isn’t wasted, even if it’s used outdoors. Are there any tips for weather protection or recommended paints/oils?

The idea of covering compartments with fabric also sounds practical for everyday use. Should the shelf doors be sanded down first, or can the surface be left as is?