ᐅ Which DIY techniques are worth applying to Ikea Hemnes furniture?

Created on: 21 Jun 2020 10:27
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Leginau
Hello everyone, some time ago I bought a few Ikea Hemnes furniture pieces and now want to customize them individually. I’m specifically interested in which DIY techniques are truly worth it to enhance Hemnes furniture not only visually but also in terms of durability and functionality. I’m thinking of everything from simple surface treatments to hardware modifications and creative redesigns. It would be great if you could share your best practices and experiences—preferably with advice on which materials or tools are especially effective and what to watch out for to avoid accidentally damaging the furniture.
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sarGabriel
22 Jun 2020 10:26
For someone looking to improve their Hemnes relatively easily: simple painting and new handles are usually sufficient.

You can also treat the surfaces with furniture wax, which protects against stains and has a pleasant feel.

Extensive modifications or structural changes are often unnecessary and can ruin the design.
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GIPAPO
22 Jun 2020 11:53
Replace handles, sand the wood, treat it with wood oil or stain, and seal it again. This can be done without much effort.

Soft-close hinges are available as an aftermarket upgrade if needed.
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Scarlett
22 Jun 2020 13:24
Ernesto schrieb:
For functionality, I recommend checking the hinges and drawer slides and, if necessary, replacing them with high-quality metal hinges or soft-close systems.

That’s exactly what I did! The appearance was important to me, but the functionality had to be right as well. I think these small details make all the difference.

By the way, I lightly sanded my Hemnes surfaces first with fine sandpaper, then used a special chalk paint, and protected everything with wax. I ordered the handles through Etsy – very unique and full of character.
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DULIS
22 Jun 2020 15:45
I agree with the majority: painting, oiling, and changing the handles bring the most improvement relative to effort and cost.

If you want to experiment a bit: using leftover wallpaper as a back panel in shelves creates a nice effect and requires very little effort.

No unnecessary modifications – Hemnes is solid and doesn’t need any experiments.