Many homeowners and renters shy away from furniture assembly because they think it’s too difficult. But is IKEA furniture really hard to assemble? The truth is, it depends on how you look at it. For some, IKEA furniture assembly is a straightforward puzzle; for others, it can be a frustrating test of patience.
This article will explore the common obstacles you can encounter when assembling IKEA furniture. It’ll also discuss the skills you need and what to do if you find it too difficult.
Skills Needed for Successful Assembly
While you don’t need to be a DIY expert to successfully assemble your IKEA furniture, having a few basic skills can make a huge difference.
- Attention to Detail
For starters, you need to be able to follow instructions. This is very crucial since IKEA does not provide written instructions.
This means that you need to rely on and be able to interpret visual instructions. Check the instructions carefully and verify each step before moving forward.
Overlooking a tiny detail, like which side of a panel is supposed to face outward, could potentially waste your time and effort. And unless you’re willing to settle for a subpar result, you’ll need to disassemble the piece and start all over.
- Patience
Patience is the literal key to solving IKEA furniture puzzles. If you rush through the steps, things can get messy really quickly.
You could place a panel in the wrong place or, worse, insert a screw too early. The result is that you have to backtrack and undo several steps, wasting your time and risking potential damage to surrounding components.
So, take your time, don’t rush the process, and you’ll be better off.
- Organization
If you spread out the parts and organize them, your IKEA furniture assembly will go better for more reasons than one.
For one, it makes following instructions faster since you have everything sorted out and categorized. It also allows you to discover missing or damaged parts earlier. That way, you can get replacements before starting the assembly process.
Common Problems Associated With Assembling IKEA Furniture
We’ve all heard the stories: people struggling for hours to put together a simple dresser and failing. Or those who thought they finished the “job” and yet somehow managed to end up with an upside-down cabinet or a couple of extra screws they couldn’t quite explain.
Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why IKEA furniture assembly can be such a headache for the average person.
Complexity of Instructions
The major challenge you may run into with IKEA furniture assembly is decoding the instructions. IKEA furniture assembly instructions are meant to be simple enough for the regular Joe to comprehend.
However, unlike typical instruction manuals, IKEA uses only diagrams, with no written words at all. This may seem like a great idea since you won’t have to worry about reading confusing guidelines or translations— but this approach has a problem.
If you’re not used to visual guides, it’s easy to misinterpret what the diagram is trying to show. This means that you may make avoidable mistakes like putting the wrong piece in the wrong place, requiring you to backtrack and redo part of the assembly.
As if that wasn’t bad enough, you could follow all the instructions and still end up with furniture that looks nothing like the one in the catalog.
| Tip: Familiarize yourself with the instructions before you start assembling IKEA furniture. Make sure you understand each step, or you may waste your time arranging furniture in the wrong order. |
Number of Parts
IKEA furniture usually comes packed in multiple compact boxes. This means that they contain lots of screws, bolts, panels, and more. If you’re not organized, it may be easy to lose track of some of these components, given their usually small sizes.
Some people get overwhelmed when they open up IKEA furniture boxes and are confronted by the sheer number of parts in them. This can cause some panic since the parts not only take up more space than expected but also give the illusion that it’ll take you hours to complete the setup.
| Tip: Before you start, take the time to organize and arrange all the parts. You should also double-check to be sure everything you need is included. This seemingly tiny step can save you a lot of time and stress later. |
Missing Pieces
Apart from the overwhelming number of bolts and parts, IKEA sometimes makes mistakes in filling orders. This means that the flat-pack furniture you ordered could have missing or damaged parts.
Unless you take a full inventory before you start, you probably won’t find out until you’re halfway done with your project. Pieces may be lost during delivery or while opening the package. Hardware can be very small, so open IKEA packages slowly and carefully..
You may even discover missing screw holes that require drilling or pieces that don’t quite fit together as intended. This can be frustrating and can even prompt you to seek makeshift solutions or additional tools to drill new holes.
| Tip: Do not try to create makeshift solutions like forcing parts to fit or trying to modify the components yourself. Instead, contact the IKEA store for assistance with missing or damaged parts. They will either provide replacement parts or guide you on how to resolve the issue. |
Alignment of Parts
One other challenge you may face when assembling IKEA furniture is the alignment of parts. IKEA furniture is designed to fit together seamlessly. This means there should be no gaps or spaces before you tighten the screws. Everything has to be perfectly aligned.
IKEA furniture usually features dowels and screws that are designed to fit or be screwed a particular way. If you don’t line up the two pieces you’re trying to join correctly, they won’t align.
To add, if you rush through the process or don’t follow the instructions well, you can end up with misaligned panels. The result? An uneven or wobbly furniture item.
Once you’re done assembling your IKEA furniture, make sure you check for loose parts and tighten them properly. This will make the piece sturdier and prevent potential safety hazards.
| Warning: Over-tightening the screws can damage the material and strip the threads. Likewise, if you screw too loosely, you risk loose connections that can reduce stability. Aim for a snug fit that makes the furniture steady without excessive pressure. |
Lack of Tools
Usually, IKEA furniture packs come with basic tools like screwdrivers or Allen wrenches. However, some furniture items require specialized tools and techniques.
Apart from the lack of experience, most people do not have a lot of tools at home. This can be a problem especially when assembling complicated IKEA pieces that require different tool sizes.
If you don’t have the right tools, assembling your IKEA furniture pieces will not only take longer but will be more challenging.
| Tip: In this case, it’s better to buy a standard tool set or engage the services of a furniture assembler. Using the wrong tools can cause irreparable damage, including stripped screws or bolts, bent metal components, and damaged or split wooden parts. |
Fragile Materials
Since IKEA furniture is designed to be more affordable than fully-assembled ones, they are usually made from cheaper, albeit lower-quality materials.
Popular RTA furniture materials like particle board or MDF can be tricky to work with. They are not as durable as solid wood, which means it is easy to damage them during assembly. You can chip or dent them if you handle them improperly or accidentally drop them.
For instance, if you over-tighten a screw, it can crack the material or even strip the hole. If this happens, you may end up with wobbly furniture or may have to take it apart and redo the assembly. In the worst case, you may even need a new set entirely.
| Tip: Regardless of material, be extra careful when assembling IKEA furniture. Avoid unnecessary pressure and handle furniture pieces gently. |
Tips for Assembling IKEA Furniture
Assembling your IKEA furniture does not have to be tough. By following a few tips, you can make your journey easier and faster.
You should get the right tools, prepare your workspace, and organize your components. It’s also a great idea to start with the largest pieces and find a partner if needed.
For a more detailed look, check out our guide containing 10 tips for assembling flat-pack furniture.
FAQs About Assembling IKEA Furniture
Can the Average Person Assemble IKEA Furniture?
Yes, the average person can assemble IKEA furniture. IKEA’s RTA furniture was created with non-professionals in mind. This is why they make use of visual instructions that don’t require advanced technical skills.
Simpler items like tables and shelves are usually straightforward for the average person. More complex pieces like wardrobes or bed frames can take longer time and require a higher level of expertise.
If you find the IKEA furniture assembly process difficult, it’s often better to hire a professional furniture assembler.
Should I Assemble IKEA Furniture Myself?
Yes, you can assemble your IKEA furniture yourself. However, if you don’t have the patience, time, or skillset or want to avoid the challenges highlighted in this article, you should consider hiring a professional.
A professional furniture assembler is more likely to understand the instructions and might not even need to consult the manual. They also typically have the right tools.
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Main Photo Credit: Ovidiu / Adobe Stock Free / License
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