Furniture assembly looks straightforward — read the instructions, turn some screws, done. In practice, every other apartment we visit has the same five mistakes. Most of them are invisible at first. They show up a year later when the wardrobe wobbles, a drawer jams, or a door no longer closes properly. Here is the list — and how to avoid each one.
Mistake 1: Skimming the instructions
Sounds trivial, but it's the most common cause of a wobbly result. Every manufacturer has its own logic for the build order: at IKEA, carcass parts are almost always loosely connected first and only tightened after the unit is standing. People who tighten everything immediately build tension into the carcass — and two weeks later a corner joint splits.
How to avoid it: Read the instructions for five minutes before picking up a single tool. Mark the steps with bold-printed symbols — those are the spots where most people make mistakes.
Mistake 2: The wrong tool for the fitting
IKEA hex keys all look similar but they aren't the same. Working with the wrong key (or worse: a power-driver bit that's almost-but-not-quite the right size) rounds off the screw heads on the very first build. Later, when the piece needs adjustment, the key spins free — and you have a fitting that can't be undone.
How to avoid it: Use the key that came in the box, or a quality torque-driver with proper bits. For critical joints (corner connectors, drawer-front fittings) turn slowly by hand.
Mistake 3: Over-tightening fittings
Chipboard furniture isn't solid-wood joinery. If you drive a Euro screw into pre-drilled chipboard with full force, you crush the material apart — the grip is gone, the screw spins, and the whole carcass loses stability. On modern torque-drivers, setting 3 of 20 is often enough.
How to avoid it: "Tight" isn't "with all your might". Firm but controlled — when you feel the resistance suddenly drop, you're already half a turn too far.
Mistake 4: Not adjusting drawers
Drawers usually look straight after the first install. But if you don't check the front with a level and don't sync both runners, in two months you'll have a rattling drawer that hits the side of the carcass. Quality fittings (Blum, Hettich) have lateral and vertical adjustment screws — these aren't optional, they're the most important step.
How to avoid it: After installing, open and close each drawer three times, then adjust. The front should have exactly the same gap to the carcass on the left and right — usually 2 mm.
Mistake 5: Not checking after the build
A typical mistake: pack everything away after the last step without checking the unit. Does the door work on both sides? Does it close completely? Does the drawer sit evenly? Is the carcass plumb? Five minutes of inspection finds 90% of later problems immediately — and you can fix them in the same hour.
How to avoid it: Run a function check after the build: every door, every drawer, level on the carcass and front. Note what's wrong and fix it on the spot.
If you'd rather skip the trouble
We've been assembling furniture for over 15 years — with our own tools, protection film, and a function check before hand-off. Hourly rate CHF 60 or fixed price by photo. For a larger piece or a full bedroom, send us a photo via WhatsApp — you'll usually hear back within an hour with an honest estimate.