I love taking the basic items from Ikea and making them over to be really special! So this week when I saw the IKEA Hemnes Nightstand on Facebook marketplace for $30, I bought it right away. I’ll be adding trim, painting, and switching out the top to make this piece really special. Let’s get started on this IKEA Hemnes nightstand hack!

IKEA Hemnes nightstand hack

Let’s start with the video tutorial so you get an overview on what I did. Then, I’ll dive in with more details below:

If the video doesn’t work here, you can watch it on YouTube here. It’d mean so much if you’d watch the video! I’m trying to get better at my video skills so I can grow my YouTube channel. If you have a few minutes to watch this and/or subscribe, I’d so appreciate it.

before

I bought the IKEA Hemnes Nightstand on Facebook marketplace for $30. Which is a great deal (it is $99 in store), but it also came with some issues. There’s wood bleed through a few areas of the furniture.

The top looks like it’s been dropped so one corner is in bad shape. Plus it has some dings.

And both sides of the nightstand have a small hole in it where the screw from the drawer was put in too far. These are all small issues, but definitely ones I’ll be issuing with this Ikea hack.

SUPPLIES IKEA Hemnes Nightstand hack

step 1- add wood trim

Let’s begin by adding wood trim. I find the dimensions of this night stand to be a little off- the drawer area feels a little small compared to the overall height of the piece. To combat this, start by adding trim below the drawer section.

Measure the length of each section where you’ll apply the trim.

Choose and Cut the Trim:
- I’m using this Decorative Wood Trim that’ll give the nightstand a fancier, upscale look.
- Use a miter saw or miter box to cut the trim pieces to the correct length. Because it’s going between the legs, cut the trim at a 90-degree angle.
- Cut the trim piece for the front to 11-3/4″ long. Cut two trim pieces for the sides to 9-1/8″ long.
Disassemble the Nightstand:
- Remove the drawers and hardware. This will make it easier to attach the wood trim now and later to paint.
- Because my top is damaged, I’m also removing it so I can replace it after painting the nightstand.
Attach the Trim: turn the nightstand upside down so that gravity is working on your side.
- Apply Construction Adhesive to the bottom and sides of the trim pieces.
- Carefully position the trim on the nightstand and press it firmly into place.
- Have a rag handy to clean up any excess construction adhesive.
- Let the trim dry overnight.

step 2- prep

Next, do a few simple prep steps to get ready for priming and painting. Ps, how cute is the nightstand looking with the new trim?!

Clean the Surface:
- Wipe down all surfaces with a damp cloth to remove any dirt or grease. For stubborn grime, use a mild detergent or degreaser. I’m using TSP.

Sand the Nightstand:
- Lightly sand all surfaces with 120-150 grit sandpaper. This helps the primer adhere better. If the nightstand is made of laminate, be careful not to sand too hard; you just want to scuff the surface. I’m using this finger sander.
- Wipe off the dust with a micro fiber cloth.

step 3- prime

And now, Apply Primer:

- Apply a thin coat of primer to all surfaces. If the nightstand is laminate, a shellac-based or bonding primer is essential to ensure the paint adheres properly.
- Let the primer dry completely, following the manufacturer’s drying time. I’m letting mine dry 2 hours.

Finish Work :
- Apply a thin bead of caulk around where the trim was adhered.
- Smooth out the caulk line with a wet finger.
- Fill in any holes. On the sides of my nightstand was a hole from the drawer screws. Fill with wood filler.

Apply a 2nd coat of Primer :
- Apply a second coat of primer to all surfaces.
- Let the primer dry overnight.

step 4- paint

Next up, the exciting step! Paint the Nightstand:

Apply the first coat of paint using a brush, roller, or spray paint. If using a brush, use long, even strokes to avoid brush marks.
I like to use a misting spray bottle to spritz water on the nightstand so that the paint glides on for the smoothest paint coverage possible.
Let the first coat dry completely, then apply a second coat. Lighter colors may require additional coats for full coverage. I did 4 light coats.

step 5- finishing touches

Finally, let’s do some finishing touches

Add gold to the trim
- To make the trim stand out and give the nightstand a more expensive feel, I’m adding on a layer of Rub ‘n Buff.

Top Coat:
- Spray on and rub in the wax spray with the applicator pad. This gives a durable finish to the nightstand that repeals dust and grime. It keeps the matte finish and looks really nice!
Reassemble the Nightstand:
- Once everything is dry, reattach the hardware and reassemble the drawer.
New marble top
- Since the original top was smashed in a corner, I opted to remove it. For a new top, I’m using a marble cutting board. It happens to be the perfect size for the top! The back of the marble had some plastic riser pieces that I removed so it’d sit flush on the nightstand. This is a huge upgrade and feels very expensive.

after

And here’s the finished IKEA Hemnes nightstand hack!

I love that Ikea has simple furniture. That really opens it up to customization. The mint paint on this added such a nice color that goes with my home and style.

Instead of buying a totally new nightstand, I was able to give this used one a fresh, updated look. This made the upgrade much. more cost-effective.

It was really fun to use this nightstand as an opportunity to express my creativity! I did my own thing with the trim and bringing out the detail and love how the design came together.

This nightstand had some damage. The top had been dropped and so I used a marble cutting board to solve the issue and brought it to a better condition while giving the nightstand a big upgrade.

Seeing the nightstand in place gives me such a sense of accomplishment! This plain piece of furniture feels transformed in a way that is really personal to my taste.

I really appreciate that instead of this piece of furniture ending up discarded, this upcycle is a more sustainable option.

price breakdown

Here’s the price breakdown for the IKEA Hemnes nightstand hack:

Everything else I had on hand-

Total cost- $95

In conclusion, I’m really happy with how the nightstand turned out! I think it looks much more expensive. The color is fun and pretty. And all the damage has been addressed. What detail is your favorite? Do you have any questions? Please let me know in the comments. Thank you for reading!

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