ᐅ How can I protect Ikea HEMNES furniture from sunlight?

Hello everyone,

I own several IKEA Hemnes furniture pieces, especially sideboards and cabinets made of solid pine wood, which I would like to protect from sunlight. This is important to me because I have noticed that direct sunlight, especially over a long period, can cause the surface to fade slightly and gradually change the color or accelerate the aging of the wood. Therefore, I would like to know how to best protect my Hemnes furniture from UV radiation without affecting their natural appearance and feel.

Are there specific care products or covers suitable for this purpose? What has been your experience with preventive measures, for example regarding windows (curtains, UV protection films) or the placement of the furniture?

I look forward to your well-informed tips, including explanations of why something works or doesn’t.

Thank you in advance!

Hello Gibapin,

your observation about fading is correct: HEMNES furniture is made of solid pine wood and is usually finished with either varnish or oil, but these do not provide complete UV protection. My recommendation would be:

- Apply UV-protective window film or use special UV-blocking curtains
- Avoid placing furniture directly in strong sunlight
- Alternatively, use a wood care product containing UV blockers, such as special indoor wood waxes or stains

I use a matte, UV-stabilizing oil treatment that preserves the natural grain while protecting against fading. However, you need to reapply it every few months. Hope that helps!

Apply UV protection film to windows and avoid placing furniture directly in sunlight whenever possible. Done.

I can understand how frustrating this is. Furniture often has emotional value, and when a beautiful HEMNES cabinet slowly fades, it can make you feel powerless. It might help to deliberately move the furniture slightly away from direct sunlight to slow down the process. At the same time, using nourishing oils can support this—this worked for me to keep the wood looking fresh. A bit of patience is also necessary, as the natural aging process cannot be completely stopped.

To protect against sunlight, I recommend the following:
- UV-filtering pleated blinds or roller shades
- Avoid placing furniture directly next to the window
- Regularly apply wood oil with UV protection

This is usually sufficient.

blapau schrieb:
I use a matte, UV-stabilizing oil treatment that preserves the natural grain while protecting against fading.

That sounds interesting: Which specific products do you use, and how often should the treatment be applied? Are there oil-based products that don’t remain sticky or cause darkening? Also, I wonder if the furniture piece needs to be sanded beforehand or if it can be treated just on the surface.

Thanks for your insights!