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I’ve had a tempestuous relationship with my eight-drawer IKEA Hemnes dresser. As we approached year three together, I started to grow tired of it, in spite of its perfectly inoffensive appearance (it’s just a white dresser; it’s not that bad). There were several times I considered shelling out double the price of the Hemnes for something that I convinced myself would be better and sturdier, that I would surely love for longer. I nearly panic-purchased a vintage pink dresser on Instagram. This was a road I knew I shouldn’t go down. So I opted for a much simpler (and more affordable) alternative: I switched the plain black Hemnes knobs for $50 worth of sleek, buttonlike brass ones from Target.

A post shared by rebecca deczynski (@rebeccadecz) on Jan 19, 2019 at 9:51am PST

Given that my dresser is in perfectly good condition (I even learned that acetone nail polish was the key to removing the rust stains my metal tray had left on top), updating it was a better option for my wallet and the environment. Could your storage use a refresh? Luckily, IKEA dresser knobs come in a pretty universal size, so any hardware should work. Consider some of these picks—just be mindful that you’ll be buying 12 if you, too, have a Hemnes.

You actually want these iconic IKEA tabs to get a little beat up: They’ll patina over time, making your furniture look like you sourced it at some fancy vintage shop.

Inspired by Miami modernism, this tomato red hardware is calling for some color-blocking. Paint your storage another equally vibrant hue for maximum impact.

A brass knob inset with colorful leather—there are 20 shades to choose from—instantly energizes an all-white Hemnes.

This gold-tone T shape has the simplicity of a knob but the ease of use of a handle.

Brass too basic? Rejuvenation paired the metal with oil-rubbed bronze for a fresh Art Deco feel.

Paint these raw wood balls white to match your drawers and you’ll be that much closer to living in a Danish farmhouse.

This oblong cutout style will appear as if it’s floating on your drawers.

An option in a natural material, like this terracotta-like stone, will soften the modern lines of IKEA’s pieces.

Stainless steel isn’t just for kitchens. Here, it glams up imperfect knobs molded after mushrooms.

Just as a ceiling medallion adds gravitas to a pendant light, gold-finish disks amp up the impact of these green pulls.

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