ᐅ Are there any DIY ideas for enhancing Ikea Hemnes furniture?

Created on: 2 Dec 2021 18:12
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Haydenna
Hello everyone,

I have several Ikea Hemnes furniture pieces in my living room that I would like to customize and upgrade to a higher quality look. I am interested in DIY ideas to enhance Hemnes furniture without having to buy completely new items or undertake extensive remodeling. Specifically, I am looking for ways to achieve a fresh appearance through paint, surface treatments, new wooden handles, or other materials.

Are there any creative and practical suggestions that are also suitable for beginners? What experiences have you had with such projects?

Thanks for your tips!
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BELLA34
3 Dec 2021 07:39
I can also recommend using veneer or self-adhesive films. These adhere well to Hemnes furniture, especially for benches or small drawers.

This gives the furniture a nearly new feel.
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Repar
3 Dec 2021 09:15
Caution with films and wallpapers: Not all adhere well to the painted surfaces from Ikea, and sometimes they peel off quickly. I would recommend testing a small area first. A little tip: matte films often look more high-quality than glossy ones.
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Naomige
3 Dec 2021 10:51
To revisit the question of what is possible:

A nice idea is to highlight individual elements with color, such as just the doors or drawer fronts. You can work with contrasting colors or stick to tone-on-tone for a more elegant look.

Additionally, there is the option to add new style elements through decorative base profiles or moldings without much effort.

This is great for anyone who doesn’t want to completely tire of the clean lines of Hemnes but still needs a bit of change.
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Landontau
3 Dec 2021 11:47
Victor54 schrieb:
I always wonder with these DIY ideas to what extent they truly do justice to the original design and aren’t just decorative in the short term.

That’s a valid point. The durability largely depends on the preparation and the materials used.
Repar schrieb:
A little tip: matte films often look more high-quality than glossy ones.

I agree here as well; matte films appear less artificial. A professional sealing also protects against abrasion.

Additionally, I recommend applying several thin layers of paint rather than few thick ones, as this improves both durability and appearance.

If not overdone, Hemnes can be enhanced quite well this way.
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gauvin37
3 Dec 2021 13:26
Changing handles, attaching furniture edge banding, some sanding, and painting – these are my tips. Too many unnecessary details only cause problems.
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Haydenna
4 Dec 2021 08:04
Thank you for all the previous answers; they have really helped me!

I have a follow-up question: For the combination of chalk paint and new handles – how do I find suitable handles that match the typical Hemnes style without straying too far from the original design? And are there any tips on how to protect the paint permanently, especially on edges and around the handles? What about using clear varnish with chalk paint?

I want to make sure my piece of furniture remains attractive even after some time.