ᐅ What should I do if IKEA Hemnes shelves are not hanging level?

Hello everyone, I have a problem with my IKEA Hemnes shelves: after assembly, they just won’t hang straight. Despite careful construction and alignment, the shelves always end up slightly crooked, which shows through small gaps on the sides or an uneven overall appearance. I have already checked whether the wall is even and used a level as well. I’m wondering what else I can do to achieve a truly straight result. Could it be due to improper wall fixing, or are there hidden assembly tips that IKEA doesn’t clearly communicate? I would be very grateful for any advice that helps, especially from anyone who has had similar experiences and knows what to watch out for.

That sounds very frustrating; I understand how annoying this can be for what should be a simple shelf. I had similar issues with my own Hemnes shelves, even though I followed the instructions exactly. Sometimes it’s due to slight irregularities in the wall that are barely visible to the naked eye, or even minimal errors in the holes. Have you checked if the anchors are firmly in place and not loose? Sometimes it helps to completely loosen the fastenings and have a second person help realign everything perfectly before tightening the screws.

Check the wall, then align the bracket straight. If it is crooked, use new anchors or reposition them differently. Always use a spirit level.

Often, the issue is not just the installation but also the condition of the wall. Especially with older or uneven walls, fixed mounting points may not always ensure perfect alignment. To compensate, it is advisable to use mounting brackets with elongated holes that allow for fine adjustment. Another important point is maintaining the correct spacing between the shelves; these should be aligned perfectly level before securing them.

In addition to the points mentioned, I would recommend leveling the shelves with a spirit level on the floor or against the wall before final fastening, and then marking their position. If the shelves still appear crooked, check whether they are firmly and evenly resting on the base. Sometimes unevenness in the floor is the cause of optical misalignment.

If all mechanical assembly steps have been carried out correctly, the possibility remains that the furniture piece itself is warped. This can happen with IKEA products. In such cases, the only solution is to exchange the item or purchase a replacement part. Slight material deformations are especially possible with wooden furniture like Hemnes, which is not made from particleboard.