ᐅ Are there any clever DIY ideas to customize Ikea HEMNES furniture?
Created on: 18 Mar 2018 11:23
A
AndaleHello everyone,
I am interested in how to cleverly and effectively customize Ikea Hemnes furniture without having to buy expensive designer pieces. My question is: Are there any smart DIY ideas or practical tips to easily enhance the HEMNES series, especially regarding appearance and functionality? I am thinking of things like creative paint finishes, handleless innovations, built-in solutions, upcycling, or material combinations—in other words, DIY tips that are sustainable and stylish but still achievable without a huge effort. Does anyone have relevant experience they could share? I would really appreciate concrete suggestions and also advice on what might be better to avoid.
Thanks in advance!
I am interested in how to cleverly and effectively customize Ikea Hemnes furniture without having to buy expensive designer pieces. My question is: Are there any smart DIY ideas or practical tips to easily enhance the HEMNES series, especially regarding appearance and functionality? I am thinking of things like creative paint finishes, handleless innovations, built-in solutions, upcycling, or material combinations—in other words, DIY tips that are sustainable and stylish but still achievable without a huge effort. Does anyone have relevant experience they could share? I would really appreciate concrete suggestions and also advice on what might be better to avoid.
Thanks in advance!
Hello Andale,
you ask a great question because you are looking for practical and sustainable DIY ideas. HEMNES is a solid wood collection that is technically easy to work with.
Here are a few tips:
- Lightly sand the surfaces and use acrylic paints or chalk paints for a new finish. This holds well and looks high quality.
- Changing the handles is a great idea, for example, using leather straps or brass-style knobs.
- For additional functionality, you can build inserts yourself, such as baskets, dividers, or drawer organizers.
- If you are skilled in woodworking, you can also install modern push-to-open mechanisms with drilling, allowing you to do without handles.
- Combining different materials like metal fittings creates an interesting contrast.
It is definitely important to check during the process that the surfaces are properly sealed to ensure the furniture lasts a long time.
I’m happy to assist you with any specific steps if anything is unclear.
you ask a great question because you are looking for practical and sustainable DIY ideas. HEMNES is a solid wood collection that is technically easy to work with.
Here are a few tips:
- Lightly sand the surfaces and use acrylic paints or chalk paints for a new finish. This holds well and looks high quality.
- Changing the handles is a great idea, for example, using leather straps or brass-style knobs.
- For additional functionality, you can build inserts yourself, such as baskets, dividers, or drawer organizers.
- If you are skilled in woodworking, you can also install modern push-to-open mechanisms with drilling, allowing you to do without handles.
- Combining different materials like metal fittings creates an interesting contrast.
It is definitely important to check during the process that the surfaces are properly sealed to ensure the furniture lasts a long time.
I’m happy to assist you with any specific steps if anything is unclear.
Hi Andale,
I’m happy to add a simple step-by-step guide on how you can upgrade the fronts.
1. Preparation: Remove the handles and sand the surface thoroughly with fine sandpaper (grit 120-180).
2. Paint choice: Use chalk paint or acrylic paint suitable for wood. Apply two thin coats, allowing each to dry well in between.
3. Sealing: For better durability, a matte clear coat like an acrylic varnish is recommended.
4. Handles: Instead of the standard IKEA handles, you can easily make good leather handles yourself—cut the leather, seal the edges, punch holes, and screw them on.
5. Additional function: Drawer inserts can be custom-fitted with thin wooden boards and strips. This creates order and fits perfectly.
Important: Always ventilate well and use appropriate tools to avoid scratching or uneven paint application.
If you have any questions about individual steps, feel free to ask.
I’m happy to add a simple step-by-step guide on how you can upgrade the fronts.
1. Preparation: Remove the handles and sand the surface thoroughly with fine sandpaper (grit 120-180).
2. Paint choice: Use chalk paint or acrylic paint suitable for wood. Apply two thin coats, allowing each to dry well in between.
3. Sealing: For better durability, a matte clear coat like an acrylic varnish is recommended.
4. Handles: Instead of the standard IKEA handles, you can easily make good leather handles yourself—cut the leather, seal the edges, punch holes, and screw them on.
5. Additional function: Drawer inserts can be custom-fitted with thin wooden boards and strips. This creates order and fits perfectly.
Important: Always ventilate well and use appropriate tools to avoid scratching or uneven paint application.
If you have any questions about individual steps, feel free to ask.
naujon schrieb:
5. Additional feature: Drawer inserts can be customized using thin wooden panels and strips. This creates order and fits perfectly. Hello naujon, thank you for the detailed instructions! I’m especially interested in the drawer inserts because I often feel that the standard layout isn’t used optimally. Which types of wood or thin panels would you recommend to keep it stable yet lightweight? And do you have any tips on how to measure it accurately to avoid mistakes?
Thanks also to everyone else here who has shared ideas about colors and handles – I find the leather handle idea very exciting!
Andale schrieb:
Which types of wood or thin panels would you recommend to keep it stable and lightweight?For drawer inserts, plywood (poplar or birch) is ideal because it is relatively light yet sturdy. Make sure to choose a thickness of about 6 to 10 mm (0.24 to 0.39 inches), depending on how much load the insert should bear.
For measuring, I recommend taking the internal dimensions of the drawer precisely with a tape measure or caliper, measuring in several places (front, middle, back, and sides), as some IKEA furniture can vary slightly. You can compensate for gaps with small strips or spacers.
In general, I advise working carefully and double-checking measurements multiple times before cutting.
Additionally, you can line drawers with felt or foam rubber to protect the wood and reduce noise.
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