ᐅ Are there any upcycling projects for old IKEA Hemnes furniture?

Hello everyone,

I still have some older IKEA Hemnes furniture at home, mainly dressers and nightstands, that I would like to upcycle. My goal is not only to give them a new design but also to modify or extend their functionality in some cases.

So I would like to ask the community: Are there any specific upcycling projects or ideas for old Hemnes furniture that are easy to follow or suitable for beginners to intermediate skill levels? Possibly with tips on materials or methods that work particularly well with Hemnes products?

I’m looking forward to hearing about your experiences, recommendations, or even critical advice that I should consider during the process!

Of course, Hemnes is popular for upcycling. You can sand down old dressers, repaint them, and replace the knobs. Wood glue and new handles are simple solutions. For shelves, adding new shelves is also a good option.

As an addition: Hemnes furniture is mostly made of solid pine wood, which makes it durable and generally easier to sand and refinish. For upcycling, it’s best to start with thorough sanding to remove the original surface. After that, depending on your style, you can work with stains, varnishes, or chalk paints.

Tools such as random orbital sanders or sandpaper with a grit between 120 and 220 are recommended. Replacing the hardware is also an easy way to change the look.

Important: Due to the type of wood, the furniture is prone to swelling from moisture, so a protective sealant like clear varnish is advised.

I turned old Hemnes nightstands into small side tables by shortening the legs and removing the drawers. Then I painted them with chalk paint and sealed them with wax – they look great and are durable.

Hello Brieuc,

you asked about upcycling projects for IKEA Hemnes furniture that also allow functional modifications. Here are some detailed thoughts on that:

- Material properties: Hemnes is made of solid pine wood, which is relatively easy to work with but requires some care when sanding and drilling to avoid uneven surfaces.
- Surface treatment: Depending on your plans (e.g., color design), stains or chalk paints are suitable options. Stains preserve more of the wood grain, while chalk paints cover it.
- Functional modifications: Hemnes furniture can be enhanced, for example, by adding drawer organizers, hidden compartments, or even combining them with casters on the underside.
- Technical tip: If you want to open and close the doors, make sure the fittings are compatible. Otherwise, appropriate soft-close hinges can be installed.

I would be interested to know what specific functional enhancement you have in mind. Are you looking for just a cosmetic change, or do you want more storage or a special use? Then I can give you more targeted advice.

PLOMA schrieb:
I’m curious about the specific functional enhancement you have in mind? Are you looking just for a visual change, or is it about more storage space or special uses? I can then give you more targeted advice.

Thanks for asking! The goal is actually a mix of both. Visually, I want to make the furniture pieces a bit more minimalist and modern, probably through matte colors or solid tones.

Regarding functionality, I’m thinking about expanding the interior compartments, for example with inserts, removable trays, or maybe even integrating charging stations (USB etc.) into standing tables or bedside tables. Ideally, this should be done without completely dismantling the furniture.

Can you already suggest some rough ideas on how to improve the interior of Hemnes with minor modifications?