IKEA Assembly: Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
A PAX wardrobe arrives with dozens of pages of instructions and a bag of fittings that mostly look alike. Three hours later, one extra part and a door that won't close, the story is familiar.
Here is what actually goes wrong.
Mistake 1: Panel on the wrong side
Many IKEA panels look identical on both sides. But the surface finish is only on one side. Assembled backwards — you get visible plugs in the wrong place or a texture running the wrong way. Impossible to fix once the unit is together.
Fix: before assembling, lay out all panels and check the texture direction.
Mistake 2: Bolts not tightened properly
The hex key that comes with IKEA is small and awkward. Many people tighten "as far as their hand will go" — but that is not enough. A month later the unit starts to wobble.
Fix: use a hex key with a handle, or a drill with the right bit. The bolt must sit firmly.
Mistake 3: Fittings not sorted first
A PAX wardrobe has many types of fittings and several of them look alike at a glance. Without sorting them into groups at the start, you will be confused halfway through: which bolt goes where, what is missing.
Fix: 10 minutes sorting at the start saves an hour of confusion in the middle.
Mistake 4: Hinges installed, then noticed the door is crooked
PAX doors are adjustable, but you need to know which of the three screws does what. Not knowing — an hour of struggling with a door that won't sit right.
Fix: learn how hinge adjustment works before hanging the doors, not after.
When to call a professional
If you have: more than two wardrobes, kitchen cabinets, or mirrored sliding doors — a professional's time costs less than your weekend and nerves.
PalveMax assembles a three-section PAX in two hours — including unpacking, assembly, door hanging, hinge adjustment and wall fixing.
Before a move the wardrobe usually has to be taken apart first, and that is best done the day before rather than on moving morning — otherwise it collides with the rest of the moving preparation.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common IKEA assembly mistakes?▾
Four recurring ones: fitting a panel the wrong way round because the finish is only on one side; not tightening the bolts fully with the small hex key from the box; not sorting the fittings at the start; and hanging the hinges before learning how they adjust.
Why does flat-pack furniture start to wobble after a month?▾
Usually because the bolts were not tightened enough. The hex key supplied is small and awkward, and tightening as far as your hand will go is not enough. Use a hex key with a handle or a drill with the right bit.
How long does assembling a PAX wardrobe take?▾
PalveMax assembles a three-section PAX in two hours, including unpacking, assembly, hanging the doors, adjusting the hinges and fixing it to the wall. Done yourself for the first time it usually takes a whole day.
When is it worth calling a professional?▾
When there are more than two wardrobes, the job is kitchen cabinets, or the unit has mirrored doors. Then a professional's time costs less than your weekend, and adjusting mirrored doors is work where a mistake shows immediately.
Should furniture be dismantled before a move?▾
Usually yes, if it will not fit through the opening or it is a tall wardrobe. Do it the day before rather than on moving day: a bolt lost in the rush or a stripped thread weakens the unit permanently.
Need a hand?
Tell us the job, the address and when suits you — we reply within the hour with an estimate.
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