ᐅ How can Ikea Hemnes furniture be repainted or refinished with a new color?

Hello everyone,

I am currently considering repainting my Ikea Hemnes furniture, so I don’t want to leave it with the standard white or brown finish. Specifically, I am interested in how to best prepare the relatively sturdy pine wood of the Hemnes series and which materials or techniques can achieve a durable, aesthetically pleasing finish. It is especially important to me that the result is not only decorative but also highlights or even stylishly alters the typical Hemnes grain patterns.

I have already thought about painting and staining but am unsure how these methods perform on this relatively inexpensive yet very characterful wood. I am also wondering if the furniture needs to be sanded beforehand, how many coats should be applied, whether a primer is necessary, and what kind of maintenance is advisable afterwards.

Does anyone in this forum have experience with repainting Hemnes furniture? What tips do you have regarding surface preparation, paint choice (e.g., chalk paint, acrylic paint, oil, wax), and technique?

I look forward to a helpful discussion with practical advice and shared experiences.

Hello JUMARCELL7,

your plan to repaint the Ikea Hemnes furniture is a great idea, as the pine wood texture gives the pieces a warm character that you can preserve well.

First, always sand the furniture thoroughly. Although Hemnes has a smooth surface, light sanding (grain 120 to 180) removes the factory seal and creates better adhesion for the new paint. Be careful not to use too coarse a grit to avoid damaging the texture.

Regarding paint choice, it depends on the look you want to achieve:
- Chalk paint is excellent if you want a matte, pastel, or slightly rustic appearance. It has very little odor and is easy to use. Advantage: combined with wax, it can give the furniture a velvety surface.
- Acrylic paint is durable and available in many colors, often best applied with a special primer to ensure good adhesion. The downside is it can look somewhat artificial.
- Stains or oils provide a more natural finish, enhance the wood grain even better, and look very elegant. However, the color options are limited.

One important tip: Always apply at least two coats of paint and allow them to dry thoroughly. After the final coat, I recommend sealing with a clear varnish or furniture wax, because especially with Hemnes furniture, which is used frequently, this protects against scratches and moisture.

So: sand, clean (remove dust), prime if necessary, apply paint layers, finish with sealing.

I hope this helps you!

JUMARCELL7 schrieb:
Does anyone in this forum have experience with changing the color of Hemnes furniture? What tips do you have regarding surface preparation, choice of paint (e.g., chalk paint, acrylic paint, oil, wax), and technique?

Some time ago, I repainted a Hemnes bookshelf myself. Here is how I approached it:

- Fully disassemble the furniture, as this makes sanding and painting much easier.
- Start with 180-grit sandpaper, not too coarse, to avoid roughening the surface too much.
- For pretreatment, I applied a wood primer that regulates absorbency and improves coverage.
- I chose a durable acrylic paint because I wanted to avoid scratches with heavy use.
- Then I applied two thin coats, with light sanding (240-grit) in between for a smooth finish.
- Finally, I added a thin coat of clear varnish for protection.

Make sure the piece is worked on in a well-ventilated, dust-free area. Be sure to follow the recommended drying times as they greatly affect durability.

If you want a more rustic look, sanding after painting can create interesting “distressed” effects.

Alternatively, I sometimes use chalk paint, which is perfect for matte, natural-looking surfaces, but you need to seal it with wax since it’s otherwise not very durable.

I hope this gives you some practical guidance.

klo61 schrieb:
Some time ago, I repainted a Hemnes bookshelf myself. My approach was as follows:

Very good description. I would like to add that the quality of sanding is crucial for a professional-looking result.

Important factors for IKEA Hemnes furniture:
- Hemnes is usually made from solid pine, which means the wood reacts quite strongly to moisture; therefore, you should prefer water-based systems.
- Primer is especially important; otherwise, the natural wood pigments can cause the new paint to absorb unevenly.
- Between coats, it is advisable to do a light sanding with fine sandpaper (grit 220-240), which improves adhesion for the next layer and results in a smooth overall finish.
- A final sealant, depending on use (e.g., satin clear coat or furniture wax), extends durability and protects against mechanical wear.

Additionally: If you want to emphasize the wood grain more, stains are an option. These penetrate the wood and alter the surface appearance; you can then seal with clear varnish or oil.

I also recommend choosing a durable, low-solvent acrylic paint. Compared to oil and wax, acrylic paint is easier to clean and less sensitive.

In general, especially if it’s your first time refinishing, I advise testing on a small sample piece or an inconspicuous part of the furniture to check the result beforehand.