ᐅ How can I optimize Ikea Hemnes furniture for small apartments?

Hello everyone,

I am facing the challenge of furnishing a small apartment and have therefore chosen furniture from the Ikea Hemnes series. I really like the Hemnes furniture because of its classic look and apparent durability, but the space is very limited, and I don’t want to make unnecessary compromises regarding storage and functionality.

How can these Hemnes pieces be best optimized for small apartments? I am especially interested in clever modifications, conversions, or combinations that make the most of the available space or ways to create more storage without the furniture feeling overpowering or overcrowding the room. Are there any additional practical tips to consider—particularly regarding modularity and multifunctionality?

I look forward to experiences and ideas that go beyond the obvious.

Hello,

use the tall Hemnes cabinets for vertical storage.
Opt for open shelves instead of closed doors to make the space appear larger.
Tables and dressers with casters make the furniture more flexible.

This is often enough to make better use of small areas.

To optimize Ikea Hemnes furniture in small spaces, I recommend a systematic approach:

- Vertical space utilization: Hemnes shelves and tall cabinets provide plenty of storage on a compact footprint.
- Enhance modularity: Use connector systems that allow individual components to be combined or separated.
- Consider multifunctionality: Choose dressers with drawers that can also serve as display surfaces.
- Color selection: Light finishes in the Hemnes series help create a sense of spaciousness.
- If needed, replace fronts with glass panels to add a feeling of lightness.

In general, the layout should be carefully planned in advance to avoid restricting circulation areas.

I would like to provide a brief guide on optimizing Hemnes furniture, especially for small apartments.

1. Planning: First, it is important to measure the room accurately. Measure the ceiling height, width, and length precisely to place the furniture without wasting space.

2. Combinations: Hemnes furniture pieces can be combined very well. For example, a low chest of drawers fits nicely under a wall shelf, making optimal use of vertical space.

3. Modifications: Use existing furniture and adapt it to your needs. For instance, existing cabinet doors can be removed and replaced with open shelves, creating a lighter appearance and better visibility.

4. Storage extension: Storage boxes on casters can be built or purchased to fit under Hemnes beds, providing hidden storage space.

5. Multifunctionality: A Hemnes dining table can be complemented with matching storage benches. These benches offer both seating and additional storage.

Avoid overcrowding the room in all cases. Less is often more, even when you want a lot of storage.

PRA64 schrieb:
A Hemnes dining table can be complemented with matching storage benches.

That is a good approach. However, it is important to critically consider whether such benches are truly practical in small living spaces. They often take up too much room.

gaubla schrieb:
Optionally replace fronts with glass to create a sense of lightness.

Here, careful consideration is needed. Glass fronts do convey openness but require more maintenance and can actually make small apartments appear more cluttered. I recommend focusing more on open shelving or selective sightlines.

Additionally, it is worth asking whether smaller, more customizable furniture pieces from Ikea might be better suited overall than the Hemnes series, which is rather classic in style and not particularly space-efficient.

Hello MOPEPO,

I can understand that the Hemnes series looks appealing – it has a good visual design and offers solid quality. For small apartments, it makes sense to consider the following:

- Use the high back panels of the Hemnes shelves as wall organizers: hooks or baskets can be attached there.
- The modules can be expanded with either custom-made or purchased shelves, which creates unexpected storage space.
- For dressers, you can use the top drawers for items you need frequently and the lower drawers for larger, less-used belongings.
- Consider reusing cut-off doors or fronts as shelf boards – this saves costs and provides more suitable surfaces.
- Another option is to combine Hemnes furniture with under-bed storage solutions from other series instead of the standard bed frames.

I also think that if you take time to customize the furniture, Hemnes can be quite flexible for small spaces.