ᐅ How can IKEA HEMNES be used to increase storage space in a home office?

Hello everyone, I am currently working on organizing my home office and have focused on the IKEA Hemnes range because I really appreciate the look and quality. My question is: How can IKEA Hemnes furniture be used in an office to maximize storage space without making the room feel cluttered? Specifically, I am interested in ideas for using Hemnes cabinets, shelving units, and dressers for files, office supplies, and electronic devices. I would appreciate practical tips, possibly on how to best combine multiple pieces as well as how to address common office needs like cable management and work surfaces. Thanks in advance!

The HEMNES display cabinet is best used for file folders and smaller boxes. Combine it with a chest of drawers for office supplies. You can attach cables inside to the back panel using clips. This keeps everything neat and organized.

Hello Emrene, your concerns are completely understandable, and HEMNES does offer several advantages for the office. First, it is important to know the exact dimensions of your room to arrange the furniture optimally. I recommend:

- Use tall shelves or display cabinets for binders and items that are used infrequently.
- Use drawer chests for small office supplies and documents you need often.
- To make the most of the storage space, you can add additional fabric or plastic boxes in the open shelving compartments, which fit easily into HEMNES units.
- Make sure your work surface stays clear by placing trays and storage containers under or beside the desk.

Cable management is unfortunately not directly integrated into HEMNES, so I suggest using flexible cable channels or hook-and-loop straps. This way, you can organize all cables without damaging the furniture.

If you like, I can also share some modification or DIY tips to increase storage space.

koneo schrieb:
To make the most of the storage space, you can add extra fabric or plastic boxes into the open shelves, which fit easily with HEMNES.

That sounds very practical. Does anyone use specific boxes or containers that fit particularly well? I want to keep things uniform so the office looks neat and organized.

nofomu schrieb:
You can attach cables with clips on the inside of the back panel.

Which clips do you use exactly, and what’s the best way to install them without damaging the furniture? Thanks for your tips!

I think the HEMNES desk with built-in drawers is excellent when you have limited space. Personally, I also attached a small DIY cable management solution by using self-adhesive cable clips that do not damage the surface. At first, I was skeptical about whether the simple installation would hold, but it works very well and looks tidy.

Emrene schrieb:
I want to maintain uniformity so that the office looks calm and organized.

For that, I recommend boxes in a uniform color, such as beige or gray, to match the wood tone of the HEMNES. This creates a calm overall appearance. Fabric boxes slide especially well into the shelves.

A brief note on the general consideration: I am somewhat skeptical about optimizing IKEA HEMNES solely for increased storage space. Without additional modifications or supplements, you quickly reach limitations because the furniture is designed for living spaces rather than technical efficiency in a workspace.

Alberto51 schrieb:
I personally have attached a small DIY solution for cable management by using adhesive cable clips, without damaging the surface.

That is a practical approach, but I would additionally recommend considering modular additions such as drawer inserts or pull-outs to truly enhance functionality.

Ideally, HEMNES should be combined with other systems specialized for office needs, or at least use flexible organizers that fit within the furniture. In my experience, simply making use of the existing HEMNES storage space is often not enough to meet typical office requirements.