Flat-pack furniture
Flat-pack furniture is designed to be so easy even the most bungling of DIY-ers can out it together. Stores like Ikea rely heavily on the flat-pack assembly option and they seem to be as popular as ever, so it can’t be that hard–right?
There are a few hints and tips that can make assembling flat-pack furniture easier for those who don’t know one end of a screwdriver from the other. Step One: Ladies, even though its flat pack, you will get dirty. You know all those mens large shirts you have at the back of the closet for no reason, now would be the time to break them out. Most important, and probably the first thing you should check, is that you have all the pieces you’re supposed to have. Not your tools yet (they come later) but the actual items that you’ve purchased from the store. Count the screws, check you have the right number of flat pieces and even make sure there are holes drilled where the instructions say there are supposed to be holes drilled. Now check you have the tools you need. Often, instructions will have pictures of the tools required as well as the names, so any DIY amateur can figure out what is required.
It may seem obvious but make sure you read the instructions carefully. Perhaps even read it once through in their entirety before you even start the assembly to make sure you understand what’s going to be required of you. If any jargon or technical terms are used, look them up online, or ask someone who knows what they’re doing. Often these instructions were originally in other languages; this can make for some humorous mistakes in translation that aren’t so funny when you’re trying to understand already complicated instructions.
Give yourself plenty of space to work. There’s nothing worse than struggling with large pieces of plywood in a cramped space, and if you can’t see clearly how the furniture is taking shape you’re probably more likely to make mistakes. For the same reason, try and work somewhere with plenty of light. Some of the holes in flat-pack furniture are pretty small and not easy to pick up by lamplight.
Once you’ve started, take your time. Refer back to your instructions frequently and have all your tools within reach for easy access. Keep screws in containers, a simple kitchen bowl will suffice, to make sure none roll away under the couch or otherwise disappear. Don’t panic. If you make a mistake remember that anything that has been screwed can easily be unscrewed in the same way!
If you follow these instructions, along with the ones provided in the box, it won’t be long before you’re able to enjoy your new wardrobe, bookshelf or coffee table. And enjoy it all the more knowing you managed to put it together yourself!
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