Emma, the DIY talent behind the Instagram handle @pagesofemma, has recently given her IKEA HEMNES chest of drawers a cottagecore makeover, turning a simple piece of furniture into a modern country masterpiece.
Emma’s journey began with a desire to refresh her bedroom furniture without breaking the bank. “Our IKEA HEMNES drawers were simply not the style of furniture we wanted, but new bedroom furniture wasn’t an affordable option,” she shared on her Instagram. “So we decided to upcycle the IKEA drawers we already had and turn them into a modern country style.”
Strip And Scrape
The transformation process, which Emma detailed in her Instagram caption, is both inspiring and achievable. She started by stripping the existing white acrylic coating, using a Harris Super Scraper and generous coats of Fine Wood Stripper to reveal the bare wood beneath. Removing the finish was the most time-consuming portion of this upcycle, with Emma spending over 14 hours scraping and sanding down the entire dresser.
But once that was done, she moved on to the step that set her HEMNES makeover apart – bobbin trim.
Bobbin Trim For Cottage Style Dresser
Bobbin trim is trending in the DIY world and popping up regularly on social media feeds. This decorative molding, characterized by its series of rounded knobs, adds a touch of vintage charm and sophistication to any piece. Still not readily available, bobbin trim can be found in specialty trim stores and craft retailers on Etsy. On Amazon, search for half-round wood beads, get a bunch, and start gluing. The half spheres create a similar effect but are a lot more labor-intensive than bobbin molding.
“Route around the drawer fronts 14mm for a recessed bobbin trim finish that looks like the bobbin has been carved into the wood itself,” she explains. “You can simplify this step by not routing and instead gluing the bobbin straight onto the drawer front for a proud effect,” she adds for those who prefer an easier process.
And what a difference the recessed bobbin trim made to the once plain drawers. It gave the dresser a charming, handcrafted look.
Staining The Dresser A Rich Oak
Emma’s choice of jacobean dark oak wood stain added a rich, vintage feel to the drawers, perfectly complementing the bobbin trim. “The surface feels silky smooth to the touch and the wood makes our cottage style bedroom feel even cosier,” she noted, clearly delighted with the outcome.
Lastly, this is where Emma’s attention to detail shines. The scalloped drawer pulls she chose for the finishing add a pretty glint of metal that enhances the overall modern vintage style.
Emma’s project has sparked interest among her followers, eager to try their hand at similar upcycles. One commenter says “I had NO idea Hemnes had this lurking beneath!” And other adds, “Woah, this is one of the best upcycle projects I’ve ever seen. Absolutely love it!”
Catch the transformation process in Emma’s reel below.
Always Get The Solid Wood Dresser
However, one thing to note is that not all IKEA HEMNES dressers are made of solid wood, like the one Emma upcycled. Before embarking on your project, be sure to check the material list of the HEMNES dresser you’re about to purchase. Look specifically for solid pine on its top, side panels, and drawer fronts. The particleboard version cannot be stripped down to a wood finish.
Emma adds this advice: “The product pages on the IKEA website list the materials but a good general rule is if you can see a wood grain then it’s wood, and the plasticky varnish and white stain can be stripped off to reveal the wood.”
So, if you’re looking to add a touch of modern vintage charm to your home, take a page out of Emma’s book and be prepared for an intensive arm workout. View Emma’s instructions on her Instagram post.
IKEA HEMNES Hacks You May Like
The HEMNES series from IKEA, known for its versatility and affordability, has long been a favorite canvas for IKEA hackers. Here are more HEMNES dresser hacks to spark ideas for your next DIY project.
HEMNES kitchen island hack
Michelle moved to a condo and found herself with a HEMNES dresser. She had to decide whether to get rid of it or think outside the box to repurpose it. Lucky for us, she transformed the HEMNES dresser into a rustic kitchen island and shared it with us.
Antiquing the HEMNES dresser
When Galia moved to their new home in France, the IKEA dresser looked out of place. While they wanted to keep the HEMNES, Galia felt giving it a vintage French country makeover would make it a better match for their new home’s decor. Galia knew it would be easy to use paint to create the antiquing effect she wanted, as the HEMNES was already white like a blank canvas.
MCM-style IKEA Dresser
An MCM-inspired makeover for the HEMNES 8-drawer chest: The piece was meticulously sanded down and stained in a rich mahogany hue. To create a striking contrast, the drawers were painted with glossy white enamel. The transformation was completed with elegant gold knobs and handles.
IKEA Dresser Hacks
Make the most of an IKEA dresser with clever IKEA hacks. From a dresser island to super large storage, these inexpensive DIY projects — a collection of easy to challenging ones — will help your dresser go from bland to brilliant. See all 16 IKEA Dresser Hacks.