Grab a buddy
First, find a friend to help, especially if it's a larger piece of furniture - and remember, it's not a race! Patience is a virtue when it comes to assembling flat pack furniture.
Make space
Give yourself plenty of room to work and lay a sheet or blanket on the floor to prevent any scratches. And always assemble the piece of furniture in the room where it's going to live - hauling it through the house afterwards could be a nightmare.
Sort everything out first
Open the box carefully, then lay out all the bits and pieces. Grab the instructions and double-check that everything listed is there before you get rid of any packaging.
Read before you build
Give the instructions a proper read – at least twice. It’ll help you spot any sneaky steps and avoid a redo down the track.
Know your parts
Some components and fastenings look suspiciously similar, so take the time to identify everything and where it goes before you start.
Keep the small stuff safe
Pop screws and other little bits into containers so they don’t disappear halfway through.
Drill with care
If you're using a drill, make sure it’s on a low setting. You want things tight, not drilled right through.
Slow and steady wins the build
Be methodical and follow each step. Resist the urge to skip ahead – it rarely ends well!
Do a final check
Once you’re done, go over all the fixings to make sure everything’s nice and secure. And if it needs to be attached to a wall, double-check it’s safely installed.
Still feeling overwhelmed? There’s no shame in calling your local handyman – they’ve probably assembled more flat packs than they can count and can have yours ready in no time.
