Good morning everyone, I am facing the challenge of assembling some IKEA Brimnes furniture in a very cramped apartment. My available space is minimal, both in terms of floor area and room to move around during assembly. The furniture pieces are sometimes quite large and bulky, and I want to avoid blocking too much space or assembling the furniture incorrectly because I don’t have enough room. Does anyone have tips or proven strategies for assembling BRIMNES when the space is so limited that you can hardly move around the parts? Maybe there are tricks regarding the order in which to assemble the pieces or ways to prepare certain modules beforehand before placing them in their final position? I look forward to your experiences and suggestions!
Your thoughts are exactly right, Genevieve. Space does get tight when moving around the large side panels, especially when I assemble them in the upright position. It feels like I don’t have enough room to position the parts at height or to slide the drawer units in properly. I could get some clamps, thanks for the tip. I am planning to have a helper, but they are not always available – that’s why I’m also looking for advice on how to manage it on my own. Is there a strategy for assembling these parts first so I can install them later individually without having to stand everywhere?
Based on your description, I recommend the following:
- Lay large side panels flat on the floor and prepare all drilling and mounting points there.
- Assemble the back panels separately and, if necessary, position them without fully securing.
- Fully pre-assemble the drawers and set them aside.
- Work modularly: complete individual modules fully before positioning them on the wall.
If you are working alone, use stable spacers under the components to make lifting and turning easier. Also, ensure adequate lighting and enough space for tools nearby.
- Lay large side panels flat on the floor and prepare all drilling and mounting points there.
- Assemble the back panels separately and, if necessary, position them without fully securing.
- Fully pre-assemble the drawers and set them aside.
- Work modularly: complete individual modules fully before positioning them on the wall.
If you are working alone, use stable spacers under the components to make lifting and turning easier. Also, ensure adequate lighting and enough space for tools nearby.
Hey Zarkin! It almost sounds like an IKEA competition going on there 🏅 I think with some good planning and maybe a small workaround, it’ll work out great. A tip from me:
- Assemble the drawers completely separately and keep them closed, so you can simply insert them as a compact unit.
- Use the wall as support during assembly and lean the larger side panels slightly against it – this way you won’t need a second person.
A little bonus: If one of your neighbors wants to play the level-master, you’ll definitely earn some extra points 😉 Good luck!
- Assemble the drawers completely separately and keep them closed, so you can simply insert them as a compact unit.
- Use the wall as support during assembly and lean the larger side panels slightly against it – this way you won’t need a second person.
A little bonus: If one of your neighbors wants to play the level-master, you’ll definitely earn some extra points 😉 Good luck!
P
PECLARISSA7 Sep 2022 12:29Hello everyone, I recently assembled the Brimnes in a small room and can confirm: preparation is key! Sorting numerous screws in advance and labeling the parts, for example with adhesive tape, helps a lot. I would also recommend assembling the drawers beforehand as advised.
Another great tip is to use a large, smooth surface, such as a blanket or mat on the laminate flooring, so you can carefully rotate the furniture without scratching the floor. Also, frequently check all screws in between steps to make sure they are still tight before building the modules. This reduces the need for rework, which can be especially annoying in tight spaces. Good luck, and feel free to share how it went for you!
Another great tip is to use a large, smooth surface, such as a blanket or mat on the laminate flooring, so you can carefully rotate the furniture without scratching the floor. Also, frequently check all screws in between steps to make sure they are still tight before building the modules. This reduces the need for rework, which can be especially annoying in tight spaces. Good luck, and feel free to share how it went for you!
J
JEREMIAH387 Sep 2022 12:53I can totally understand how stressful that can be – I once had a similar situation with BRIMNES in a very small bedroom. What really helped me was taking short breaks and mentally reminding myself that everything doesn’t have to be finished all at once. Especially in tight spaces, this helps to stay patient. It also helps to maneuver the furniture into the room step by step before fixing everything in place. Don’t rush the process!
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