ᐅ What should I do if IKEA Hemnes shelves are unstable?

Hello everyone,

I agree with the previous recommendations and would like to add a few additional thoughts:

It is important to understand the cause. With IKEA Hemnes shelves, the wobbling usually comes from one of the following:
- the wall mounting
- the floor surface
- or the connections between the individual parts of the shelf

Here is a simple step-by-step guide:

- Check if the screws are firmly seated in appropriate anchors and if the wall is suitable for these anchors (for example, drywall requires special hollow wall anchors).
- Make sure the floor under the shelf is level; small unevenness can be compensated with felt pads or furniture shims.
- Verify that the back panel (usually made of thin wood) is securely fixed and visibly attached, as it significantly increases stability.
- If there is play within the shelf itself, and you are handy, you can add small reinforcing strips or attach corner brackets from the inside.

You don’t need to be a professional, but a bit of care during assembly and, if necessary, optimization usually provides the desired stability.

I hope this helps!

Make sure the back wall is secured. Check the wall mounting. If present, level out any floor unevenness. Otherwise, simply attach brackets or battens.

As some have already mentioned: check the screws, use appropriate anchors, and inspect the floor. Sometimes a small wooden batten at the back is enough to stabilize the whole structure.