ᐅ What tips do you have for assembling IKEA HEMNES furniture in a small space?

Created on: 22 May 2022 14:37
J
JUANIX
J
JUANIX
22 May 2022 14:37
Hello everyone, I am facing the challenge of assembling an IKEA Hemnes wardrobe, but I have very limited space to work in—my room is quite small and tightly furnished. My specific question to the community is: What tips or proven strategies are there for assembling the HEMNES series, especially when there is little free space to move around and organize the parts? I am interested in everything from optimal preparation and handling the many individual pieces to possible tricks for assembly in a confined area. Thank you very much for your help!
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LOGEMIN
22 May 2022 15:03
Hello JUANIX, your concern is completely understandable. The HEMNES is not exactly small, and the instructions suggest several intermediate steps that require space. Here is a structured approach from me:

- Preparation: Lay out all parts on a large, flat surface. If floor space is limited, use a large folding table or even an old blanket to protect both the floor and the parts from scratches.
- Sort screws and dowels in small containers or egg cartons to keep track of them without spreading everything out in a small area.
- Preferably work vertically on components, so build the side panels and back panel separately first before assembling everything – this saves room to move around.
- Use walls as support whenever possible, so you need less space to lean parts on.
- If storage space is tight, break the work into stages and, for example, put the finished base frame away briefly to make room for the upper parts.

A common mistake is assembling large separate elements too early, which then take up a lot of space. I hope this helps you!
G
GIPAPO
22 May 2022 15:21
Assemble it together with someone or put together the wardrobe in the bedroom first, then push it into the room. This saves a lot of space during installation.
C
CHENFAR
22 May 2022 16:05
Another recommendation when working with limited space: clearly label parts and screws to avoid mix-ups – especially with the HEMNES series, which includes many different screw types. Use small storage boxes and keep the assembly instructions in a fixed, easily visible location. Choose ergonomic tools, ideally a cordless screwdriver with torque control, so you can work more precisely in tight areas.
J
JORDON
22 May 2022 16:43
Hey, I believe that a bit of humor and staying calm always help when space is limited. HEMNES is sturdy, so you can take it easy. 🙂 Try following steps 1 to 3 one after another on the floor, then the piece will eventually stand on its own. Limited space can also mean spreading the work over time – breaks are very valuable!
J
JUANIX
22 May 2022 17:10
Thank you in advance for your answers! To clarify the situation: I actually have just under 2 square meters (about 21.5 square feet) of working space, and I also need to consider the setup under the sloping roof – the working height is limited there. Is the tip about using the wall as support still useful in this case? Practically, I could only use the wall directly next to me. Or does anyone have experience with planning the assembly step by step to manage working in such a niche?