ᐅ What DIY tips are available for customizing IKEA Hemnes furniture?

Hello everyone,

I am currently considering how to make the IKEA Hemnes series a bit more personalized and appealing without having to replace all the furniture or spend a lot on upgrades. What DIY tips do you have for enhancing Hemnes dressers, cabinets, or tables? I am especially interested in techniques that are relatively easy to carry out, such as sanding, painting, or adding special handles.

Does anyone have experience with woodworking related to Hemnes, or creative ideas for changing its appearance? I look forward to your suggestions, especially regarding durability and maintaining the stability of the furniture piece. Thanks in advance!

Hey Draamiel! Great question! 🙂 Hemnes is really a great base for DIY projects because the wood is quite sturdy and easy to work with.

My tips:
- Sand the wood and then paint it with chalk paint to give surfaces a nice vintage look.
- Replace old handles with antique or handmade ones – it makes a big difference!
- For a clever idea: apply stencils or hand-painted patterns using varnish.

The cool thing: even if you’re not perfect at painting, it usually looks quite charming. And don’t worry, just give it a try! You’ll see the final result is really worth it! 🙂

Hello everyone,

I would like to add the following: When remodeling Hemnes furniture, it is important to prepare the material properly. This means sanding carefully with fine-grit sandpaper to ensure the new paint adheres well.

Another option is to apply thin veneer sheets if you want a more modern look. You can also easily replace the handles – preferably with metal or leather ones that are sturdy. Make sure to properly fill or patch the holes left after removing the original handles.

For those who are not very familiar with DIY: Chalk paints are usually very beginner-friendly because they stick directly to wood and dry quickly.

If you have any questions about preparation or tools, I’m happy to help!

nedagla schrieb:
My tips:
- Sand the wood and then paint it with chalk paint; this gives surfaces a nice vintage look.

That is basically correct. However, I would add that if you expect long-term use and wear, you should either apply a sealant or use standard furniture paints. Chalk paint looks nice but is not always very durable.

Also, the Hemnes style is deliberately classic and sturdy—too strong visual alterations can reduce the appreciation for the piece. Therefore, it makes sense to change the appearance only selectively—such as with handles or color accents—if you want to consider the resale value.

LuMarcel43 schrieb:
I would like to add: If you expect long-term use, you should either apply a sealant or use commercially available furniture varnishes.

Well, to be honest... sometimes it’s nicer when furniture shows a bit of wear. This sterile “seal everything perfectly” approach can completely take away the character.

My advice: rather opt for patinated surfaces and enhance the Hemnes by deliberate “distressing.” A few sanded spots on the edges, rusty metal handles, or even care products for aged wood—that’s what actually makes it unique.

Draamiel schrieb:
Does anyone have experience with woodwork related to Hemnes, or creative ideas for changing its appearance?

And if in doubt: don’t be afraid to experiment, because DIY sometimes means making mistakes and creating something one of a kind from them.