Hackers Help: Best HEMNES Finish for Hacking?

Finally taking the plunge on my first IKEA hack! I am looking to switch up the look of two new HEMNES dressers that I will buy for this purpose. One will probably just be done with chalk paint, while the other I hope to combine gel stained drawer fronts with paint on the dresser frame (white or a slate blue).

What is the best HEMNES finish to buy if you know you’re going to hack it? I thought the white stain might be easiest as it doesn’t have the hard coat the painted HEMNES has?

Best Hemnes Finish for Hacking?

If I go for white frame and wood tone drawer fronts though, would it be best to have the white painted version and just put in the extra elbow grease to change up the fronts? Any general “rules of thumb” for selection of hack items much appreciated. I hope to be doing more in the coming months.

Thanks for your input!

~ by Lisa

***

Hi Lisa

Glad you are taking the plunge into the world of IKEA hacking. I’m sure you’ll have fun.

I would suggest getting the white stained HEMNES finish, as that is made of solid pine vs. the white one, which is made of particleboard. It is always easier to handle actual wood than particleboard and the layer of acrylic paint on top. If you make any mistake with the paint job, you can easily sand off the pine and repaint. Not so easy with particleboard.

You can get some excellent tips from this post on removing the stain for your drawer fronts.

Here’s another excellent hack if you’re going for the two-toned look, though in reverse of your concept.

Hope it help. Let us know how it goes.

Happy hacking,

Jules

The post Hackers Help: Best HEMNES Finish for Hacking? appeared first on IKEA Hackers.

Comments

SKÅDIS: 5 ways to make the IKEA pegboard even better

IKEA introduced its own pegboard system, SKÅDIS, two years ago and I’d say it’s one of the best systems IKEA launched in recent years. I love how super customisable it is, with a growing range of accessories that help keep things organized. It works everywhere, in your wardrobe to bathroom . Probably anywhere you have a flat surface to hang it up. Photo: IKEA.com SKÅDIS pegboard system See it on IKEA.com But no matter how perfect a system, you can trust IKEA hackers to improve on the SKÅDIS. And they’ve settle these 5 issues you may have faced with the handy IKEA pegboard. Read on for their fixes. 5 IKEA SKÅDIS issues and fixes #1 Expensive hooks? You’ll need quite a number of hooks and accessories to fill up the SKÅDIS pegboard, and Kenyer was shocked at how quickly they all added up. So he figured he could make his own hooks to save cost. Photo: Kenyer Over at Instructables , he shows us how to twist copper wires into the SKÅDIS hook shape. It works s...

KALLAX desk ideas: Three ways to set up a workstation

Three great ideas for a KALLAX desk . #1 Compact, minimalist desk for laptop I put together a KALLAX desk for my laptop for just under 25 euros. Just a KALLAX 2×2 is needed. No other materials required. IKEA item used: KALLAX 2 x 2 (77 x 77 cm) KALLAX 2×2 | IKEA.com All you need to do is assemble 3 of the pieces in a U shape. That is all. If you want to strengthen the structure you would need to drill a couple of holes in order to use the long middle shelf of the KALLAX unit as a back reinforcer. Easy and it works. ~ by Fabio Tudela #2 KALLAX standing desk I choose to stand at work because it makes me feel infinitely more productive. Our department recently moved into a new building and we had the opportunity to design our own spaces. Items Used: VIKA AMON / TORNLIDEN table top x 2 (discontinued, replaced by LINNMON ) KALLAX 4 cube x 2 KALLAX drawer unit x 2 8 – 3″ locking casters / wheels 1 – 6′ zinc brace I had a few VIKA AMON tables ...

Amped up KURA bed with drawers and safety rail

We saw other KURA beds with storage drawers underneath on this site. So, we also wanted the same — to make space for LEGO s and wooden trains under the bed. We installed the additional headboard panels because the configuration of the room and the location of the windows in the room meant that we wanted the children’s heads on the right and the ladder on the left. The KURA plans did not seem to allow this configuration, though I have seen online that there are models of this bed from 2003 that allowed more options for setup. Additional safety features Safety rail panel for the lower KURA bed helps our two year old feel secure, as he just transitioned from a crib directly to this bunk. Likewise metal handles on the ladder. They added a lot of confidence for both the five-year-old and the two-year-old when climbing up to the top bunk. We are aware that the bunk is now even higher than before and both children are under 6. Use caution and common sense before making these modifi...

Martin Cooper

Search This Blog