ᐅ How can I repair small parts of IKEA Hemnes furniture myself?

Here is a structured and precise procedure for repair:

- Remove the damaged parts, if possible.
- Clean the surfaces from dust and grease residues using alcohol or a mild detergent.
- For wooden dowel holes: use a suitable wood filler or putty, followed by sanding.
- Re-glue the dowels with high-quality wood glue, preferably one with strong adhesion to painted wood.
- After drying, sand chipped paint areas smoothly, and, if necessary, touch up with matching furniture lacquer.

It is advisable to test all materials used for compatibility with the existing coating. Even drying is important to avoid stresses and cracks.

That covers the craftsmanship aspects. The material properties (solid wood, painted) and the load applied to the piece of furniture determine its durability.

FAZAR schrieb:
What type of wood are your Hemnes furniture pieces made of?

I think this question is fundamental. Hemnes, in particular, is known for having finishes that are durable but can sometimes feel brittle – which can cause issues when repairing panels and dowels.

Additionally, one should consider whether it even makes sense to replace original small parts or if it might be better to use universal dowels and screws that may hold better.

Danabla schrieb:
It is advisable to test all materials used for compatibility with the existing finish.

Exactly, because inappropriate materials can cause irreversible damage to the surface – and that should be avoided.

However, I often see that with Hemnes furniture, you can be somewhat more flexible with replacement parts and they do not necessarily have to be original.

Good morning,

I would like to add that with Hemnes furniture pieces, the drawer slides or small metal parts can often be weak points.

If these parts are damaged, it is advisable to replace them with IKEA spare parts – these are usually compatible and affordable. For repairs on wooden parts, wood repair markers for color touch-ups can also be used to refresh the appearance.

One more tip: for more significant damage, it can help to use small nails or pins for reinforcement before gluing, then countersink and fill them afterward. This significantly increases durability.

I have successfully carried out such repairs multiple times. If anyone needs a more detailed description, I am happy to provide step-by-step instructions.

Hello Kusohau and all other repair enthusiasts!

This is really a great topic! I think it’s fantastic that there are people who don’t just throw everything away but want to repair it themselves! Your tips here are excellent.

I would like to add: patience is crucial for these small repairs! Make sure to let the glue dry thoroughly, otherwise you’ll end up frustrated. And if you’re painting – it’s best to apply several thin layers and sand well in between; that way, the result will look really nice!

I repaired my Hemnes wardrobe door myself and made it look like new again – totally worth it! There’s nothing more satisfying than preserving a piece of furniture with your own hands 🙂

ixlu1 schrieb:
Patience is key when it comes to these small repairs! Make sure to let the glue dry thoroughly, otherwise you’ll end up frustrated.

Thanks to everyone for the many helpful tips! Your advice on surface preparation, choosing the right glue, and using small tools like toothpicks to fill dowel holes is very useful to me.

I will now carefully clean my two drawer fronts and secure the dowels as described using fine wood glue and small wooden pieces. I will also carefully fix any chips with furniture glue and later touch up the appearance.

I’ll get back to you once I’ve tried this and share my experience. If anyone has special tips for sanding painted surfaces, I’m very interested!