ᐅ How does the disassembly of Ikea Hemnes furniture work?

Hello everyone, I am planning to disassemble an Ikea Hemnes piece of furniture soon and would like to ask for a detailed guide or gather some experience on the best way to do it. Specifically, I am interested in whether there are any tools that are absolutely necessary and the most effective approach, such as the order in which to take apart the individual parts to avoid damage to the wooden components. I would also like to know if there is anything special to keep in mind when removing screws, dowels, or other typical Ikea fasteners. It would be great if someone could share tips or a step-by-step guide from their own experience!

For dismantling the Hemnes, you will typically need a Phillips screwdriver and a hex key, both usually included or easy to obtain. First, remove all drawers and then the back panel. Simply loosen screws and dowels—be careful not to break the dowels. Unscrew carefully to avoid splitting the wood.

Okko5 schrieb:
I’m specifically interested in whether there are any essential tools needed, and the best approach to take—such as the order in which to disassemble the parts to avoid damaging the wooden components.

I’m happy to explain this in more detail: To safely dismantle an Ikea Hemnes piece of furniture, I recommend the following set of tools: a Phillips screwdriver (preferably with an ergonomic handle), hex keys (Allen wrenches) in several sizes (usually 4 and 5 mm), optionally a plastic wedge to loosen the back panel (to avoid bending nails), and a small hammer in case dowels or wooden pins are stuck.

The sequence is crucial: First, remove all movable parts—meaning take out drawers and unhinge doors. Next, carefully detach the back panel by gently pulling out the fixing nails. After that, dismantle the side panels and shelves by loosening the screws. It’s important to unscrew the fasteners with steady, even pressure to prevent the wood from splitting or cracking. For the dowels, tapping lightly with the hammer can help loosen them if necessary.

In particular with Ikea furniture, be careful not to over-tighten or over-loosen fittings such as cam lock screws, because this can damage their function and make reassembly more difficult. A tip: if possible, keep all screws and fittings in a labeled bag—this makes reassembling much easier.

Is there a specific Hemnes model you want to take apart? The construction can sometimes vary slightly.

Johnathon schrieb:
I’m happy to explain in more detail: To safely disassemble an Ikea Hemnes piece of furniture, I recommend the following tool combination: a Phillips screwdriver (preferably with an ergonomic handle), hex keys (Allen wrenches) in various sizes (usually 4 and 5 mm (0.16 and 0.20 inches)), possibly a plastic wedge to loosen the back panel (to avoid bending any nails), and a small hammer in case dowels or wooden pins are stuck.

I can only agree with that. It’s also important to take your time and keep the parts well organized. I had a similar experience with the Hemnes bookshelf. It also helps a lot to thoroughly document the furniture with photos before disassembly. That way, when you reassemble it later, you’ll know exactly how everything fits together.

Okko5 schrieb:
I would also like to know if there is anything special to consider when disassembling screws, dowels, or other Ikea-specific connectors.

Here’s a small tip: When loosening cam locks, you don’t usually have to fully unscrew the bolts; often, it’s enough to turn the plastic discs and then gently pull the parts apart. Be careful to avoid damaging the connecting elements.

In general, I recommend having the assembly instructions or DVD at hand if available. Ikea’s typical metal brackets and plywood panels are held together with simple screw connections, so don’t worry, it’s all quite manageable.