ᐅ How can I make IKEA Hemnes furniture more child-friendly?

Hello everyone,

I would like to know how to make furniture from the IKEA Hemnes series more child-friendly. Specifically, I am interested in safety aspects to minimize potential injury risks, as well as practical modifications that make it easier for my children to use, such as drawers or cabinet doors. I already have some ideas, like edge protectors or special handles, but I am unsure of the best approach without significantly affecting the style of the furniture. Are there any proven methods or special accessories for Hemnes furniture that you would recommend? I look forward to your experiences and tips!

Minodan schrieb:
I would like to know how I can make furniture from the IKEA Hemnes series more child-friendly

Hey, that’s a really interesting topic! I have several pieces from the Hemnes series at home and I can say: with a few smart tricks, it becomes truly child-friendly while still looking great!

- I also use edge protectors, but not the ugly plastic ones. I swear by soft foam corner guards—they’re almost invisible and provide excellent protection.
- For drawers and doors, there are various child safety locks that can be installed almost invisibly on the inside, preventing little ones from opening them when it might be dangerous.
- You can replace handles with softer alternatives; sometimes just adding self-adhesive rubber pads around the handles is enough to keep things safe.

The great thing about Hemnes is that it’s made of solid wood, which is durable and sturdy—perfect for kids! Don’t get discouraged; with small adjustments, it works really well, you’ve got this! 🙂

Minodan schrieb:
how I can make furniture from the IKEA Hemnes series more child-friendly. Specifically, it’s about safety aspects to minimize potential injury risks, as well as practical adjustments to make it easier for my children to use, for example, drawers or cabinet doors

Hello Minodan,

I find your question very clear, which helps to focus on the topic. I would like to add a few points to consider when making the furniture more child-friendly:

- First, you should check if the furniture is secured against tipping hazards. Although Hemnes furniture can be stable due to its weight, attaching furniture anchors to the wall provides extra safety.

- Child safety devices such as magnetic locks or soft-close drawer slides can prevent unintended opening and help avoid injuries.

- To make it easier for children to use, you can choose handles with good ergonomics or install well-rounded handle strips.

- The surface condition is also important: Hemnes is oiled or lacquered, so it’s worth regularly checking for wear that could cause sharp edges or splinters.

- Optionally, you can offer practical step stools or small ladders so smaller children can more easily reach drawers and cabinets.

I hope this helps! If you like, I can also assist you with selecting and installing specific child safety devices.

todunar schrieb:
There are various child safety locks for drawers and doors that can be installed almost invisibly on the inside

I would like to raise a critical point here as well: While it is true that internally mounted locks look more discreet and aesthetically pleasing, in my view, they often lead parents to underestimate the risk and fail to properly secure the furniture.

Ethan schrieb:
First, you should check whether the furniture is secured against tipping hazards

In my opinion, this is the far more important issue. Hemnes furniture, in particular, is often underestimated when it comes to tipping risks. The solid wood furniture can cause accidents if not properly anchored to the wall — this must be an absolute priority when designing a child-safe environment.

Furthermore, I find that some IKEA safety products like magnetic locks can be convenient but do not always offer the best long-term solution, as they can unnecessarily restrict children’s access, which may cause frustration.

My advice is to stay pragmatic: ensure safety where real danger exists, but also make sure the furniture remains accessible and usable for children — especially when it comes to drawers used for playing or tidying up.