ᐅ How can I easily change the appearance of IKEA HEMNES furniture with minimal effort?

Hello everyone,

I have several IKEA Hemnes furniture pieces at home (for example, a chest of drawers and a nightstand) and I’m looking for ways to refresh their appearance with minimal effort. It’s important to me that the work is simple, doesn’t require major renovation or expensive materials. I would like to know which easy techniques or small modifications work well to give these classic pieces a fresher and more modern look.

At the same time, I want to avoid compromising stability or ending up with too much effort needed for removal or reversing the changes. Maybe there are simple tricks with paint, handles, adhesive films, or other accessories that you would recommend?

I’m looking forward to your practical tips and experiences!

Hello Jonheiner,

First of all, your question is very well formulated and clear, which makes it easier to provide targeted advice.

One of the simplest and most effective ways to change the look of HEMNES furniture is by replacing the handles. This has an immediate impact and can be done with little effort. For example, you can swap plain metal handles for brass or black ones to achieve a more modern look.

Another easy option is applying self-adhesive film if you want to alter the surface, for instance, with a wood grain or matte black finish. Just make sure the surface is clean and smooth, otherwise the film won’t adhere properly.

Small painting tasks can also be done without much prior knowledge: for example, painting only the fronts in a new color while keeping the frame as it is. Matte black or pastel tones have become popular lately.

One last idea: watch videos on how to change furniture legs, for example to slim metal legs – this instantly updates the style and is easy to do.

All these methods can help you achieve your goal without spending too much time or money.

Kinbu schrieb:
Another simple option is applying self-adhesive film if you want to change the surface appearance, for example to wood grain or matte black. However, make sure the surface is clean and smooth, otherwise the film will not adhere well.

This is a very good approach for quickly and effectively achieving a new look. I would add that surface preparation is a crucial step. Sanding is often enough to create a matte, slightly roughened surface that allows the adhesive to stick better.

If you decide to paint, I recommend the following sequence:

- Clean and degrease the furniture thoroughly
- Lightly sand with fine sandpaper (grit 220)
- Apply a primer, preferably one suitable for wood
- Then apply the desired paint in thin layers, allowing each coat to dry properly
- Finally, protect the surface with a clear coat, especially on areas subject to heavy wear

If you are considering changing handles, pay attention to whether the screw holes fit or if you need to drill new ones – this can greatly affect the overall appearance. I also recommend investing more time choosing the color and finish, as otherwise the result can quickly look cheap.

One more question for you: Do you want to update just individual pieces of furniture like a dresser and nightstand, or are you planning to work on several furniture pieces or even entire rooms? This will influence the suggestions for many options.

Filippo schrieb:
One more question for you: Do you want to modify just a few pieces of furniture like a dresser and a nightstand, or are you planning to change several pieces or even entire rooms?

Thank you for this important note! To start with, I mainly want to modify two HEMNES pieces: a 3-drawer dresser and a matching nightstand. Depending on how well the result turns out and how much effort it requires from me, I might also consider adjusting other HEMNES furniture in different rooms.

I place great importance on the solution being relatively reversible since I am not yet sure if I will like the new looks long-term. Therefore, I also prefer options that do not leave significant marks or that can be undone without much effort.

Would it perhaps be better to use films or covers instead of painting? Or are there other methods you would recommend for a ‘minimally invasive’ approach?

Jonheiner schrieb:
Would it perhaps be better to use films or coverings instead of painting? Or are there other options you would recommend for a 'minimally invasive' intervention?

If reusability is important to you, self-adhesive films are indeed one of the best options. They can be applied quickly and, if removed carefully, don’t usually cause significant damage. Make sure to choose high-quality films that don’t bubble easily and can adapt more easily to curved surfaces.

Alternatively, you can experiment with fabric covers or decorative stickers to customize, for example, drawer fronts. This is also easy to do and can be changed at any time.

Sometimes simple accents like changing handles or adding small appliqués offer a clever solution that can be removed without residue.

It’s important to thoroughly clean the furniture beforehand to remove any grease or dirt; otherwise, nothing will adhere well—this applies to both films and stickers.

I’d also recommend testing the materials and colors first on a small, less visible area to see if they suit your taste and how easily they can be removed.