ᐅ What repairs can I carry out myself on IKEA HEMNES furniture?

Hello everyone,

I recently bought an IKEA Hemnes sideboard and noticed that one of the drawers sticks a little and doesn’t open smoothly anymore. Also, one of the legs is slightly wobbly because a screw seems to be loose. My question to you is: Which repairs on furniture from the IKEA Hemnes series can generally be done at home without needing special tools or advanced handyman skills? Specifically, I’m interested in whether typical issues like wobbly legs, sticking drawers, or loose connectors can be fixed easily. And are there any repairs that are better left to professionals to avoid damaging the furniture?

I’m technically skilled but don’t have formal training as a carpenter or furniture maker. Thanks in advance for your tips and advice!

Hello,

with HEMNES furniture, you can usually handle the following repairs yourself:
- Tightening screws on loose parts
- Cleaning drawer runners and applying some lubricant
- Replacing or tightening fittings

However, I would leave complex repairs on painted surfaces or entire components to a professional. Usually, the only tools you need are screwdrivers and Allen keys.

Eniga schrieb:
My question to you: Which repairs on furniture from the IKEA HEMNES series can I generally do myself at home without needing special tools or advanced DIY skills?

The HEMNES furniture series is quite sturdy in design and relies on simple, modular connections, which generally makes repairs easier. Regarding your specific cases:

- Wobbly legs: This is usually fixed by tightening the threaded screws. If the threads in the wood are stripped, you can add wooden dowels or small wood shavings to stabilize the threads.
- Sticking drawers: It’s worth closely inspecting the drawer slides. They can get dirty or misaligned over time. Cleaning them with a dry cloth and applying a light lubricant (e.g., silicone oil) usually helps quickly.
- Loose fasteners: IKEA typically uses wooden connectors and metal brackets. These can be easily replaced or retightened with suitable screws. Just make sure to use replacement parts with the correct dimensions.

What is not recommended:
- Roughly sanding or repainting lacquered surfaces without experience, as this often results in visible inconsistencies.
- Structural changes or modifications that could affect the stability of the modules.

The necessary tools are minimal: screwdrivers (Phillips and flathead), Allen keys (often included with the furniture), fine sandpaper for small edges, and possibly wood glue.

Can you check if the screws on the legs are tight or if the threads in the wood have loosened? Sometimes just inserting a small wooden ball or cut piece of wood into the screw hole is enough to restore stability.

bapar schrieb:
Wobbly legs: This is usually fixed by tightening the threaded screws.

That’s a very good point, and I would like to add: If the screws can no longer be tightened securely, you can also use wood glue to stabilize the connection. Simply apply some glue into the screw hole, insert the screw, and let it dry thoroughly.

Thierryzar schrieb:
Clean the drawer slides and treat them with some lubricant

I can confirm this as well. It’s important not to use oil on wooden surfaces, but only on the metal slides. For the drawers, it’s also advisable to remove the runners occasionally and check for cracks or bends.

Regarding your question whether it’s better not to do this yourself: If the cabinet is heavily damaged or if the surface is significantly worn, I would recommend consulting a professional. The same applies for any structural modifications to the furniture.

In general, however, with some patience and care, many of these minor problems can be managed by yourself.