ᐅ What are common beginner mistakes when assembling the IKEA Hemnes furniture?

Hello everyone, I am currently planning to assemble an IKEA Hemnes furniture piece, and although I have some DIY experience, I want to avoid common beginner mistakes. It would be very helpful if you could share your experiences regarding typical pitfalls or frequent errors that occur during the assembly of Hemnes furniture and how to best avoid them. I am particularly interested in issues related to assembling the larger parts, such as doors or drawers, and the structural stability of the furniture. Tips on useful tools or easy-to-overlook advice are also welcome. Thanks in advance!

Most often, I see screws being driven in the wrong way – always follow the instructions carefully, otherwise everything will jam later. Also, sorting the parts before assembly saves a lot of time and confusion.

Interestingly, the biggest challenge with the Hemnes is less the assembly itself and more the misconception that it can be put together "quickly and easily" between other tasks. This inevitably leads to errors in alignment and ultimately to unstable furniture. In my opinion, the level of difficulty is somewhat underestimated. I also wonder why IKEA hasn’t developed a more intuitive connecting system that doesn’t necessarily require a cordless drill and a lot of patience – that would be a game changer.

LEOIX schrieb:
Interestingly, the biggest challenge with Hemnes is less about the actual assembly, and more about how many people think they can just “quickly” put it together in passing.

This is partly true, but especially for beginners, it is important to be very careful when assembling the drawers. A common mistake is incorrect installation of the metal runners or neglecting precise alignment, which causes the drawers to not slide properly or to stick. It is advisable to always use a spacer or a small spirit level to ensure everything is perfectly aligned.

Choosing the right tools is also crucial: a cordless drill with adjustable torque settings helps a lot to avoid overtightening screws and damaging the material.

I assembled my Hemnes wardrobe with absolute patience! 🙂 It’s important to carefully check each part and not rush. Small details like the orientation of the side panels can be confusing, but always double-check – that makes the difference!

It can also help to inspect all connectors for damage before starting assembly. Sometimes screws or dowels are slightly bent, which makes the process more difficult. The most enjoyable part is taking it step by step, keeping everything tidy, and not rushing – that really pays off!

Pay attention to the assembly sequence. It is common for people to install the drawers too early and then have difficulties attaching the back panel properly. So always fully assemble the carcass first, and then install the drawers.