ᐅ How do I assemble Ikea PLATSA furniture in small kitchens?

Hello everyone,

I recently got a small kitchen and want to use Ikea Platsa furniture because it’s very flexible. However, I’m facing some challenges, especially regarding space during assembly. How do you assemble Ikea PLATSA furniture in small kitchens when the working area is very limited and there is hardly any room to spread out the parts or rotate the furniture during assembly? Are there specific strategies, tips, or tools you would recommend to make the assembly possible even in very tight conditions? Additionally, I’m interested in whether it’s best to plan from the start which modules to combine in order to optimize future modifications and space requirements. Thanks in advance for your advice!

The challenge with small kitchens is well known: workspace is limited, and the PLATSA modules are not exactly small. My tip is to organize the main assembly parts and tools as compactly as possible on the workbench and assemble the furniture pieces one after another instead of spreading everything out at once.

It also helps to study the assembly instructions carefully in advance and, using a floor plan, arrange the modules so that you put them together in the correct order—this avoids extensive rework and unnecessary repositioning. Using a small cordless drill with well-controllable torque is also recommended to work more precisely without needing much space for a bulky power supply.

In addition to Blavin’s good planning, I would like to emphasize that when installing in small kitchens, it can be beneficial not to fully assemble the furniture before placing it in its designated position. Instead, it is advisable to loosely pre-assemble the modules first, then bring them to the installation site and complete the final assembly there.

This method allows for easier maneuvering of the furniture and prevents it from taking up too much space before the final installation. If possible, the installation height of the individual modules should also be chosen to ensure ergonomic accessibility, which makes working in tight spaces easier.

Blavin schrieb:
My tip is to keep the main assembly parts and tools as compactly organized as possible at the worktable and to assemble the furniture pieces one after the other, rather than spreading everything out at once.

Interesting approach, but I think that is more of a theory with PLATSA. Precisely because the modules are designed to be modular, you can be much more flexible – so why limit yourself to a fixed order and assembling everything in the original place?

I would even argue that in small kitchens you are almost forced to be creative and possibly assemble parts individually in the evening or at night when the space is temporarily free. And if you follow the instructions, you always have the option to admit mistakes and reassemble accordingly. In small kitchens, you shouldn’t feel restricted by instructions but rather be open to experimenting.

theota schrieb:
I even dare to suggest that in small kitchens, you are almost forced to be creative and sometimes assemble parts individually in the evening or at night when the space is temporarily empty.

That is definitely an interesting thought, but quite idealistic. Not everyone has the time to work in the evenings or at night – nor always the option to completely clear the kitchen. My recommendation is therefore to focus on maximizing the available space rather than relying on specific time slots. For example, by using temporary work surfaces such as a sturdy rolling board that can serve as an assembly platform.

Also, I would like to ask again: Has peoix5 specifically considered at what angle the PLATSA will be assembled? Some angles are easier to manage due to the hinge positions.

kasan schrieb:
Has peoix5 specifically considered at which angle the PLATSA should be assembled?

Good question, kasan. I’m primarily planning an L-shaped layout of two modules in the corner of the kitchen. The main challenge is the tight space next to the countertop, which leaves very little room to maneuver the furniture parts. I’m aiming for a 90-degree angle, but the space for turning is very limited. That’s why I’m currently also considering whether it’s possible to assemble the unit in place without having to move the module much.

Regarding the timeframe: that’s not really an issue for me, as I often have time in the evenings during the week or on weekends. More important to me is handling the material in a way that doesn’t block the kitchen too much.