Simple Ways To Give Your IKEA HEMNES Nightstand A Luxurious Upgrade On A Budget

A solid wood nightstand for only $100 dollars? Of course, it's IKEA. The HEMNES nightstand is a fan favorite for obvious reasons. However, while sleek and simple all on its own, with a little creativity, the bedside table can become a luxurious custom piece. In an exclusive House Digest interview, we spoke to interior designer and DIY expert Erika Dale for her insight on how to best upgrade the HEMNES nightstand. Her top budget-friendly picks include dressing the furniture in a new color and decorating it with intricate details.

Giving your IKEA furniture a makeover is a great way to get a high-end look for less, and HEMNES nightstands are an ideal place to start. "They make a cost-effective yet sturdy base for getting creative with your favorite hacks," Dale said, "and thanks to its classic, simple styling, it can be tailored to any design style." Whether you use the HEMNES nightstand as a living room side table, an entryway console, or as intended, you can personalize the piece in many ways and make it truly fit your home.

"The simplest way to completely change the look of your HEMNES nightstand is with a coat of paint," Erika Dale exclusively told House Digest. The high table comes in a limited selection of black-brown, dark gray, and white, but you're not limited in what color to change it to. Dale suggested, "Spice things up with a dark forest green, muted soothing sage, warm ochre, or regal navy blue." These neutral colors and earthy tones will give the nightstand a new design while complementing your existing space. You can have fun by painting the entire piece or just a part of it. Adding a different hue to the table legs, bottom shelf, drawer front, or tabletop will create a dynamic design with just color.

"Since the HEMNES series is made of solid wood, you can also sand and stain the nightstands for a wood tone aesthetic or two-tone look with the body painted but the drawers stained," Dale added. Staining the table is perfect for matching it with other wood furniture or creating a more artisan look. It's a subtle way to change the color while staying true to the solid wood material. Whether painting or staining the nightstand, Dale said, "It is important to properly sand off the factory finish so the new paint or stain can adhere properly and last a long time." The extra step will keep your DIY wood project from looking cheap. And to take things up a notch, don't just change the table's color, but upgrade the actual features.

Instead of (or along with) restyling the color, you can update the furniture's details. "Changing out the hardware from the basic knobs it comes with will also add tons of personality," Erika Dale exclusively told House Digest. "Since it is only 1-2 knobs per nightstand, you can have a ton of fun finding something unique and amazing without breaking the budget." If you don't want to buy new hardware, upgrade the featured knob with paint, twine, contact paper, or resin. Old jewelry can also be repurposed into beautiful knobs for the drawer.

"Since the HEMNES nightstands have flat panel drawers, your options are endless for upgrading the fronts to something with more texture and visual interest," Dale said. "Add ornate moldings, modern vertical wood slats, wallpaper, or even a woven material to the drawer fronts to really elevate the look." The intricate detailing will do away with the simple initial design, adding depth and style. This is where you can change the furniture from a sleek modern piece to an elaborate vintage table or rustic farmhouse stand.

Lastly, replacing the wood tabletop is the secret to making your IKEA HEMNES nightstand look more expensive. "The HEMNES would look amazing with a marble or natural stone top," Dale said. Something like the French Kitchen Marble Platter from Crate & Barrel will instantly upgrade the furniture piece. "Simply attach it with some silicone to keep it in place for the ultimate high-end luxe look," she said. You'll have a beautiful DIY nightstand that's budget-friendly, easy to complete, and most of all, stunning.