ᐅ What tools do I need to assemble the Ikea Hemnes?

Hello everyone, I’m about to assemble an IKEA Hemnes wardrobe and want to be as well prepared as possible. The instructions are, of course, included, but I’m interested in which tools you personally consider essential and especially helpful to complete the assembly quickly and with minimal effort.

I have a cordless drill, but I’m not sure if that’s enough or if I should also have specific screwdrivers, a hammer, a spirit level, or similar tools ready. Often, small helpers that make assembly easier are missing.

So, which tools would you specifically recommend to assemble the IKEA Hemnes efficiently, safely, and without damaging the furniture or the home? Are there any special tools that have proven to be hidden gems that aren’t mentioned in the standard instructions?

Thanks for your tips!

Hey Dofotar, I know your situation all too well 😉. The Hemnes is quite a classic piece, and the instructions are pretty good, but having the right tools definitely makes the process easier.

My recommendations:
- Cordless drill with a Phillips bit (tighten gently to avoid marks)
- A regular Phillips screwdriver as a backup (sometimes you need precise control)
- A small hammer for wooden dowels (tap gently to avoid damage)
- A spirit level for accurate alignment (I don’t want any crooked cabinets)
- And very important: a rubber mat or at least a blanket to prevent scratches on the parts

Sometimes I also keep an angled screwdriver or pliers within reach, which helps when dealing with tricky corners quickly.

Good luck with the assembly, you’ve got this! 😄

Cordless drill with Phillips bit is usually sufficient.
Hammer for wooden dowels.
Spirit level for alignment.
Screwdriver as a backup.
Protective mat for the furniture parts.

To assemble the IKEA Hemnes wardrobe efficiently and neatly, I recommend the following tools:

- Cordless drill with suitable bits (especially Phillips PH2) for driving screws evenly and securely.
- A matching Phillips screwdriver for fine control. This is important in case the cordless drill applies too much force.
- Hammer for installing wooden dowels. The dowels should not be hammered in too hard to avoid damaging the material.
- A spirit level or bubble level for precisely aligning the finished piece of furniture.
- A protective surface such as blankets or old carpets to protect the parts from scratches.

This set of tools meets the requirements for assembling solid wood furniture like the Hemnes and helps avoid common mistakes. No additional tools are necessary.

juMira46 schrieb:
Hammer for wooden dowels (tap gently to avoid damage)

Interesting point – how careful do you really need to be with wooden dowels? I ask because I’ve often heard that Hemnes is fairly sturdy, but sometimes it seems like hammering too hard can mess up the fittings.

Also, I wonder if a cordless drill is really useful for all screws, or if it’s better to work by hand especially with delicate joints. Are there any experiences where using a cordless drill caused quick mistakes or damage?

I would appreciate any experience reports on this.

kasan schrieb:
whether a cordless drill is really useful for all screws or if it’s better to work by hand for finer connections

You raised a good point! I’ve also assembled the Hemnes myself and can confirm: a cordless drill is very convenient, but for very small or delicate screws, it’s better to work carefully by hand. Otherwise, you risk splitting the wood or overtightening the screws.

Overall, the Hemnes is quite solidly built. I would recommend using the cordless drill at a low speed with torque control. If you notice the resistance increasing significantly, it’s best to pause and finish tightening with a screwdriver.

Regarding wood dowels: these should only be lightly tapped in with a hammer. A few gentle taps are more than enough. The key is not to apply too much force, as this can shift the dowel and cause the joints to sit inaccurately.

I hope this clears up some questions. I also enjoy assembling Hemnes — it’s a nice furniture system!