ᐅ How can I convert Ikea HEMNES into a sofa bed?

Hello everyone, I am considering whether and how the Ikea Hemnes furniture piece, which is originally designed as a dresser or bed accessory, can be converted into a sofa bed. Specifically, I am interested in which components would need to be removed, reinforced, or added to create a comfortable sofa bed that can be used as seating during the day and as a sleeping surface at night. Does anyone have experience with this type of conversion, perhaps with advice on dimensions, materials used, or the required stability? I would appreciate a detailed guide, as I have some basic DIY skills but do not want to just experiment without a plan.

To convert the Ikea HEMNES into a sofa bed, the following points should be considered:
- The HEMNES series was not originally designed for sofa functionality, so it lacks a pull-out or folding mechanism.
- The existing low dresser or bed frame construction would need to be reinforced to permanently withstand the load.
- A pull-out subframe or folding frame would be necessary to transform the seating area into a sleeping surface.
- The sleeping surface dimensions should be approximately 140 cm (55 inches) wide and at least 190 cm (75 inches) long; hinges and metal guides may need to be installed.
- Padding: The HEMNES surface is hard, so an appropriate mattress or cushioning solution must be added.

Recommendation: Simple sofa bed kits that can be attached by hanging onto the HEMNES structure are best suited to ensure stability. The conversion requires a fair amount of craftsmanship and metal/woodworking skills.

Another option is to use the dresser simply as a base. You can place a mattress or a roll-up futon on top. This way, you have a seating area during the day and a sleeping surface at night. Technically more complex modifications are usually more difficult and not very stable.

sanjon schrieb:
Another option is to use the chest of drawers simply as a base. You can then place a mattress or a roll-up futon on top.

I also consider this a practical solution. The most important aspect is that the surface is stable enough to withstand constant load without sagging. If the chest of drawers is high enough, you can create a good compromise between a sofa and a bed using an appropriate topper. Alternatively, a custom build with a slatted frame and foam mattress as a sofa bed is possible, but that would require significant woodworking.

ladali schrieb:
Simple sofa bed kits that can be hung on the HEMNES frame are best suited to ensure stability.

I believe this is an important claim that should be examined more closely. The HEMNES series is primarily designed to withstand lateral loads on a chest of drawers, but a fold-out sofa bed applies a different type of load—especially tensile and lever forces at the attachment points. Securing it firmly to the chest is not straightforward, since the materials used are not necessarily engineered for such complex stresses. Therefore, I would recommend planning reinforcements or a completely new substructure before any conversion. Otherwise, there is a risk of material failure or instability.

The simplest solution: Use the dresser as a base, place a mattress on top, and attach cushions to the back as a backrest. A folding function is difficult to implement with HEMNES because the side panels are not designed for drawers.