ᐅ What mistakes should be avoided when assembling the Ikea Brimnes furniture?

Hello everyone,

I am about to purchase the Ikea Brimnes bedroom set and want to make the assembly process as smooth as possible. Therefore, I am especially interested in knowing: What mistakes should be avoided when assembling the Ikea Brimnes?

While reviewing the instructions, I noticed that some assembly points seem a bit tricky. Are there common pitfalls to be aware of in order to save time and prevent damage? Tips on handling the drawers and the back panels would also be very helpful.

Thanks in advance for your experiences and advice!

In any case, attach or fix the back panels only at the very end. If they are secured too early, it becomes difficult to align the furniture properly. Also, do not tighten the screws too much too early, otherwise it will be hard to adjust the parts correctly later on.

A common mistake I often see with IKEA furniture is a lack of care when sorting the parts before assembly.

The Brimnes set includes many small wooden panels, screws, and connectors that can be easily confused. One tip is to sort all the parts according to the instructions and possibly count them briefly.

I also recommend mounting the drawer fronts very carefully, as the fastening components are delicate and can break easily. Another point: Using a cordless drill can be convenient, but if the torque is too high, you can screw the fasteners into the particleboard and damage the material.

tinau schrieb:
Definitely attach or secure the back panels only at the very end.

I think that’s great advice – however, it’s worth explaining why this is so important. The back panels contribute to the overall stability of the carcass, but if they’re fixed too early, they make it difficult to adjust the frame’s alignment.

What I find problematic here is that people often recommend following the instructions step by step without question. Especially with flat-pack furniture like Brimnes, it sometimes pays off to skip a step or check certain parts in advance.

Could someone also explain how to best align the drawers and whether there are common issues? It seems to me that the drawer slides are somewhat delicate and incorrect installation can easily cause them to jam.

Regarding drawers: The slides must be perfectly level, otherwise everything will jam. Do not force the drawer when pushing it in, as parts may bend.

Back panel: As mentioned before, attach it only at the end. Screws: Insert all screws loosely first, then align everything before tightening them fully.

I assembled the Brimnes last year, and what really annoyed me was the small back panel that’s supposed to be attached only with nails – quite tricky if you don’t have a hammer with a small head at hand! My advice: be patient and tap gently with a light tool, otherwise the frame can warp.

And yes, take your time with the drawers. Once the rails start sticking, it feels like you’ve put together a bunch of soggy spaghetti 😅 If the rails don’t line up perfectly, you’re in for a tough time.

Funny thing: my friend over-tightened a screw at one corner, and the wooden panel splintered – it then feels like you suddenly have a puzzle from a horror furniture set. So, better to be gentle.