ᐅ How can IKEA HEMNES furniture be adapted or modified for a children's room?
Created on: 8 Sep 2020 08:23
B
bofusan
Hello everyone, I am currently looking into how to adapt the IKEA Hemnes furniture series specifically for children’s rooms to make it more functional, safer, and better suited for kids. The HEMNES furniture is generally quite sturdy and offers many possibilities thanks to its classic construction, but I am specifically searching for ideas and experiences on how to modify wardrobes, dressers, or shelves so they better meet the needs of children. For example, I am thinking about rounded edges, additional anti-tip fittings, modified interior layouts for toys or clothes, and maybe simple alterations that allow the furniture to grow with the child. I am especially interested in practical tips or guides that can be implemented with basic tools, without having to replace the entire piece of furniture. Has anyone here ever made such modifications to HEMNES furniture or have ideas that have proven effective? Thanks in advance!
A
Alberto519 Sep 2020 09:21I would like to pick up on bofusan’s post and share some personal experience as well: At home, we have repeatedly modified a Hemnes chest of drawers with children. The tip-over restraints from IKEA are simple and effective, but we also used flatter wall anchors because the furniture is often placed directly against the wall, and otherwise, the locking mechanisms are too wide. When rearranging the shelves, we made sure to create easily accessible compartments for toys, as this significantly supports our son’s independence. We noticed that flexible fabric bins combined with wooden shelving were the best solution to help with tidying up. I understand that you might not want to redo everything right away, but small adjustments can really make a big difference.
bofusan schrieb:
The issue of anti-tip protection also seems central to me. Are there any general recommendations for the HEMNES series regarding which type of fasteners work best? I would like to point out critically that very simple anti-tip devices may be effective, but they do not fundamentally eliminate the cause of potential tipping. It would be better to redesign the furniture to have a lower center of gravity, for example by widening the base or adding additional support rails. However, this is not always easy to implement technically or aesthetically. Additionally, I would recommend monitoring load scenarios—especially when children use the furniture to climb on, neither edge protection nor anti-tip devices will help in the long run unless behavior is also addressed. Therefore, alongside structural measures, I also suggest an educational approach.Regarding the discussion on modifications to HEMNES furniture, here is my constructive input: For redesigning the interior of the furniture, I recommend using plywood panels, as they are more stable than standard MDF boards and can be cut easily. Adjusting drawer inserts with additional compartments made from thinner wood can help create better organization. It is important to use environmentally friendly and non-toxic paints or stains, especially if the furniture is intended for children's rooms. Additionally, I have had positive experiences installing soft-close hinges to minimize pinch hazards for children. Although this requires some DIY skills, it is a valuable safety feature.
theo63 schrieb:
I would like to point out critically that very simple anti-tip devices may seem effective, but they do not fundamentally eliminate the cause of possible tipping. This is a very important and well-made point. Most anti-tip devices are designed as supplementary measures, not as sole protective solutions. For HEMNES furniture pieces, it is also advisable to group them together, connecting several elements to increase stability and reduce the risk of tipping.
lalutau schrieb:
It is important to use environmentally friendly and non-toxic paints or stains, especially if the furniture is intended for children’s rooms. I completely agree – especially when children come into contact with the furniture, all materials should be non-toxic. Finishing treatments with natural oils or waxes are usually the best choice in these cases.
Similar topics