ᐅ Are there any upcycling ideas for Ikea Hemnes furniture?

I am happy to support the suggestions here with practical experience. I built a small office shelf from old Hemnes dressers by removing the back panels and adding new shelves made of thin plywood. It was important to me to seal the surface with a matte clear varnish after the conversion – this protects the wood and ensures the furniture remains durable.

If you like, I can provide you with exact measurements and tips on the tools I used. One tip: definitely use a cordless drill with a depth stop to avoid driving the screws too deep.

Another idea is to use Hemnes nightstands as a base for small plant shelves by attaching small casters – this creates mobile dressers that can be easily moved around.

GiRoyce schrieb:
Another idea would be to use Hemnes nightstands as a base for small plant shelves by adding small casters

That is indeed a great idea, as casters add new functionality to the furniture. When attaching them, make sure the screws are not too long to avoid damaging the wood. It is also advisable to choose casters with brakes, especially for furniture used in living areas.

Kristoffe1 schrieb:
Does anyone have experience or ideas on how to upcycle Hemnes furniture in a practical and aesthetically pleasing way?

Here’s another idea: Hemnes dressers can be converted with sliding glass doors that slide into an internal track to create a cabinet-like piece. This requires some woodworking skills and the right tools (e.g., a router). If you’re interested, I can provide a step-by-step guide.

To choose a suitable color for the glass frame, it’s best to match it to the color of the furniture frames. What color scheme do you prefer?

I am refurbishing an old Hemnes dresser with chalk paint and have replaced the handles with leather straps. This creates a fresh, modern look with minimal effort.

To add to the previous suggestions: especially for dressers, the sturdy frame of the Hemnes series is ideal for installing modular compartments, which can be complemented, for example, with baskets or fabric boxes. The advantage is that you can expand the functionality without making extensive modifications to the furniture itself, thus maintaining its stability.

If you decide to undertake such a project, be sure to carefully measure the dimensions of the drawer compartments. This ensures a perfect fit for the additional elements.

Palenar schrieb:
A quick question: Which Hemnes furniture did you want to modify specifically? Drawer dressers, display cabinets, or rather beds/bedside tables?

Thank you very much for the great ideas so far! Specifically, I plan to modify mainly three Hemnes drawer dressers, and possibly two bedside tables afterwards. Your suggestions involving casters and plant shelves really appeal to me, as does removing the back panels for added functionality.

Which types of paint do you recommend that work relatively well with the existing finish and are as low-odor as possible? I’m also interested in the tip about converting to a sideboard with a cable outlet, as I might use the furniture as a TV stand.