ᐅ Are there any tips for modifying or customizing Ikea Hemnes furniture?

Hello everyone,

I am planning to modify and upgrade some of my Ikea Hemnes furniture. My main goal is to give the usually quite classic design a more modern or personalized touch. Does anyone have tips or experience on how to effectively redesign Hemnes pieces? I would appreciate suggestions on suitable materials, colors, techniques, and examples tailored specifically to the processing and styling of the Hemnes series. Maybe someone also has ideas on how to adapt the furniture to different room concepts—whether more Scandinavian, modern, vintage, or shabby chic. Thank you in advance!

Just buy sandpaper and paint. White furniture can be easily painted with chalk paint in other pastel shades. You can replace the handles to create a new look.

Hello Onnilen,

you asked a very well-formulated question! Hemnes furniture is indeed quite sturdy and easy to customize. For the renovation, I can recommend the following:

- Make sure to sand thoroughly before painting to ensure good adhesion of the new color.
- Chalk paints or dark shades like anthracite work well with Hemnes.
- Depending on the style, new handles can help, for example, vintage brass for a rustic look or matte metal handles for a modern touch.
- If you want, you can also apply wallpaper or veneers to individual fronts to create contrasts.
- For a shabby chic style, it’s important to lightly sand the edges to achieve the worn look.

It’s always important to protect the furniture afterward with a clear lacquer. If you like, I can also provide tips on surface preparation.

Wow, great idea with the Hemnes furniture! I recently painted my dresser completely in a matte dark blue and I’m really thrilled with the result! 🙂

What helped me was using paint from a hardware store that is specifically designed for wood and furniture. And be sure to apply several thin layers.

I also replaced the old handles with simple black ones, which makes a big difference!

I think it’s a lot of fun and a great way to get creative.

If you want a very simple solution: buy new handles and treat the furniture with furniture oil or wax. Quick effect and protects the surface.

My recommendation: It’s best to use chalk paint for Hemnes, as it provides good coverage, dries quickly, and is durable. Lightly sand beforehand, then you can apply the paint directly.