ᐅ What tips and tricks can help when assembling IKEA BRIMNES furniture?

Hello everyone,

I’m currently facing the challenge of assembling the IKEA Brimnes range and would like to ask specifically for tips and tricks that have helped you during the build. I’m particularly interested in practical advice on how to use the instructions most efficiently, which tools are really essential, and if there are any construction details that aren’t immediately obvious.

Since BRIMNES is quite a popular series with a variety of furniture pieces, the combination of drawers, back panels, and connectors might be especially tricky.

Who has experience that others could benefit from? Tips that make the assembly easier, more stable, or faster are especially welcome.

Thanks in advance!

Hello Nularo,

I recently assembled a BRIMNES bed and a wardrobe and can share some practical tips that will likely help you right away:

- First, sort all screws, dowels, and wooden parts by type and number before you start. This saves a lot of time searching and avoids confusion.

- Besides the included Allen wrench, definitely use a small cordless drill with a torque setting if you have one. It saves a lot of time and prevents over-tightening the screws.

- The IKEA instructions are quite minimalistic, but pay special attention when inserting the back panels of the carcass to ensure they sit completely flush. Small misalignments can later cause problems with the drawers.

- When assembling the drawer fronts, check that the holes line up precisely with the drawer rails; otherwise, the front often ends up crooked.

- Finally, check the stability at each major step, especially when multiple parts are connected – adjustments are much easier then.

If you want, I can also go into more detail on specific steps.

giabau schrieb:
In addition to the supplied hex key, be sure to use a small cordless screwdriver with a torque limiter if available. This saves a lot of time and prevents over-tightening the screws.

That’s a useful tip, but I would add that you should be very careful when using power tools. IKEA furniture is often designed in a way that applying too much force can cause the wood panels to crack.

In my experience, it’s essential to rely on setting the recommended torque limit on the screwdriver. If that option is not available, using the supplied manual tool is safer, even if assembly takes longer.

I also recommend reading the entire manual before starting instead of just following it step by step. This often helps to understand the connections better and avoid common mistakes.

Is there anyone here who has had different experiences with the instructions? I sometimes think the difficulty level with IKEA is underestimated.

Nularo schrieb:
if there are any special construction details that are not immediately obvious.

The biggest trick is to loosely screw in all the screws first and only tighten them fully at the very end. This way, you can still make adjustments if something doesn’t fit perfectly.

Also, always work on a soft but stable surface like a carpet to prevent scratches and to keep parts from slipping away.

Some additional notes on ensuring stability and easing the assembly process:

- Especially with BRIMNES, the back panels are often attached with small nails, which should be driven in carefully and without excessive hammering to avoid splitting the boards.

- Use a spirit level to check the precise alignment of each module. Drawer mechanisms operate smoothly only when the carcasses are perfectly level.

- The supplied screws meet quality and size standards; however, using replacement screws with slightly larger heads can improve stability in somewhat loose connections if you are experienced.

- The instructions are accurate but sometimes minimalistic. It helps to examine the pictures closely, for example, to check the position of the rail connections and ensure they lie flush and are not twisted.

- Finally, assembly should ideally be done by two people. Having a helper is an important safety factor, especially when assembling larger cabinets.

These are points I found critical during my last assembly.