ᐅ How can I best use IKEA Hemnes furniture in narrow rooms?

Created on: 13 Aug 2022 09:32
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onjoflo
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onjoflo
13 Aug 2022 09:32
Hello everyone,

I am planning to fit my Hemnes furniture from IKEA into a relatively narrow room and am looking for tips on how to optimize this best. Specifically, it concerns the classic Hemnes wardrobes and possibly the Hemnes bed frame, which usually appear somewhat bulky when the room is rather long and narrow.

It is important to me not only to create enough storage space but also to make the room feel airy and not overly cluttered. Any tricks for positioning, combining with other furniture, or using recesses would be very welcome. I also want to make effective use of the available space without restricting movement too much.

Does anyone have experience with this issue or creative ideas on how to use Hemnes furniture optimally in such rooms? Perhaps combinations of open and closed elements or practical built-ins?

I look forward to your suggestions!
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fikeo
13 Aug 2022 10:07
Hello onjoflo,

I think your topic is very well chosen, as Hemnes furniture can indeed quickly feel overwhelming in a small space. My recommendation is to first measure the room carefully and then think about how to arrange the furniture without blocking the flow of the room.

- A classic tip is to choose the Hemnes cabinets with sliding doors, if available, because regular doors can be awkward in tight spaces.
- For the wardrobe, consider placing it on the longest wall. This makes it appear less dominant.
- For the bed, you can also use under-bed storage boxes to gain extra storage without adding more furniture.
- Use wall space for shelves or hooks to keep the floor area clear.

With some planning, you can make good use of a small room without the furniture feeling too bulky. If you like, I can share some examples of how I have done this myself.

Good luck!
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usbla
13 Aug 2022 13:25
fikeo schrieb:
A common tip is to choose the version with sliding doors for the Hemnes cabinets, if available, since regular doors can be inconvenient in tight spaces.

That is an excellent suggestion. I would like to add that in narrow rooms, optimizing space through modular thinking is advisable. Hemnes furniture can often be enhanced with additions such as drawer inserts or combined with Kallax shelving units, which can be placed in alcoves or even used as room dividers.

Furthermore, the choice of color should not be underestimated: Hemnes is usually available in white or whitewashed finishes—this tends to look subtle and spacious, especially in small and narrow rooms.

Finally, using mirrors on cabinet doors or walls is a proven method to visually expand the space, particularly if you have Hemnes with glass doors.

I strongly recommend planning ahead with paper or 3D sketches and measuring carefully to optimize storage without creating narrow walkways.
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Laukau5
14 Aug 2022 08:58
onjoflo schrieb:
I’m planning to fit my Hemnes furniture from IKEA into a rather narrow room and am looking for tips on how to optimize this best.

To achieve really good results here, you should analyze the entire room in terms of functionality and available movement space. How long and wide is the room exactly? Are there windows or doors on the walls that affect where you can place furniture?

From experience, consistently placing floor-to-ceiling furniture along the walls leads to efficient use of space. I would suggest positioning the Hemnes wardrobe lengthwise along the wall opposite the entrance, so you don’t block the room immediately upon entering.

The shorter wall side is often suitable for the bed, helping to visually structure the space. To reduce the bulkiness of the Hemnes bed frame, you could put the slatted frame on casters, making it easy to move for cleaning and flexibility.

Additionally, you might use small light sources—especially LED strips under shelves or along cabinet edges—to make the furniture appear lighter. Using room dividers made of glass or shelving units can also help divide the space into functional zones.

One final note: consider using Hemnes pieces modularly, for example, combining single elements like dressers with open shelving instead of a complete wardrobe. This creates openness and prevents the room from feeling overcrowded.
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GALENKU
14 Aug 2022 12:14
Make sure to place the Hemnes furniture always along a wall and avoid positioning pieces in the middle of the room. Prefer taller furniture to keep the floor space clear. For the bed, storage boxes under the sleeping surface provide extra space. Additionally, use light colors and minimal accessories to keep the room feeling open.