ᐅ What is the best way to assemble IKEA Hemnes furniture in tight or limited spaces?

Hello everyone,

I am currently facing a challenge with assembling my IKEA Hemnes wardrobe. My room is very narrow – only about 120 cm (47 inches) wide – and there are radiators nearby as well as door thresholds with different heights. My question is: How can I best install the IKEA Hemnes wardrobe under such difficult space conditions without compromising usability and stability?

I have read that sometimes it helps to disassemble the wardrobe and assemble it in parts, but are there any special tips to keep in mind? Perhaps regarding leveling small floor unevenness or whether to modify the back panels?

I am looking forward to your experiences and advice so I can avoid mistakes and place the furniture as optimally as possible.

In tight spaces, it is advisable to assemble the Hemnes wardrobe completely outside the room first. The modular system allows you to move the furniture as a whole to its final location later, provided the doors are wide enough.

If this is not possible, it is recommended to build the modules separately and join them together on site. Pay attention to the following:
- Compensate for uneven floors using adjustable furniture glides
- Back panels are important for stability; if space is an issue, they can be trimmed but remove only a small amount of material
- Consider swapping door hinges to save space if needed

Accurate measuring before assembly is essential, as well as using a spirit level and measuring tape.

It is best to fully assemble the cabinet outside first. Then carry it into the room. If this is not possible, assemble the individual parts and connect them on site. Use glides under the feet to level it.

Hello Marfred,

I completely understand your challenge. In tight spaces, it’s important that the furniture remains stable despite any adjustments. I recommend:

- Do not remove the back panel entirely, as it is essential for the frame’s stability. Instead, make only minor modifications.
- Be sure to level uneven floors with felt pads or adjustable plastic feet to prevent wobbling.
- Check whether you can have the doors open inward or outward to make the best use of the available space.
- Sometimes it’s helpful to mount a narrow trim strip on the wall to create some clearance for the cabinet and allow for any possible expansion.

Try to create a precise plan of how the individual components will fit before assembly, and take your time with adjustments.

Hey! I had the same problem with my Hemnes! Just assemble the whole thing first, then it will fit! 😊 If it’s really tight, I removed all the doors and installed them only once the unit was in place. That way, it’s easier to maneuver! And hey, don’t worry, it will work out!

The challenge with tight corners and radiators can be really frustrating, but don’t worry 😊! I once transported my Hemnes partially disassembled: the main frame together, doors separately if needed, and only attached them on site. This way you can improvise and don’t have to renovate the whole apartment. Plus: don’t forget glides – they compensate for many floor imperfections! Good luck!