While IKEA seems to think a screwdriver and maybe a hammer are all needed, is it? Experts at putting together IKEA furniture don’t agree. You’ll need a few more things if you want to put it together without dents, scratches, and loads of frustration.
What Tools Do I Really Need To Put Together IKEA Furniture?
- Impact Driver
An impact driver is another tool that can make assembling IKEA furniture much easier. It’s especially helpful if you’re working with screws that are difficult to remove.
An impact driver is a powerful tool that uses a high torque to loosen or tighten screws. You can usually find them at hardware stores or online.
- Socket Wrench
A socket wrench is a tool that can be used to loosen or tighten screws. It’s similar to a screwdriver but has a socket on the end instead of a tip.
This allows you to apply more torque to the screw, which can be helpful when you’re trying to remove stubborn screws. You can find a socket wrench at most hardware stores.
- Pliers
Pliers can be helpful when you’re trying to remove screws that are difficult to reach. They can also bend wire or hold small pieces of furniture together while you’re assembling them. You can find pliers at most hardware stores.
- Level
You don’t want your IKEA furniture to be lopsided, do you? Of course not! That’s why a level is key. It will help to ensure that each piece is level with the other.
This is especially important for dressers and bookshelves. You don’t want your clothes to fall off the hangers or your books to topple over.
A level is a small tool that will help you immensely. It doesn’t have to be big and bulky. In fact, the smaller, the better. That way, it can fit into small spaces and level everything out.
You can find a level at any hardware store or home improvement store. They aren’t very expensive, so it’s worth the investment. A level is a handy tool to have when you’re assembling IKEA furniture.
It can help you ensure that your furniture is level and even, making it look better and last longer. You can find a level at most hardware stores or online.
- Tape Measure
A tape measure is another tool that can be helpful when you’re assembling IKEA furniture. It can help you ensure that your furniture is the right size and that all pieces are the same length.
You can find a tape measure at most hardware stores or online.
These are just a few tools you might need to assemble IKEA furniture. Of course, every project is different, and you may also need other tools. But these are a good place to start.
With the right tools, you can make assembling IKEA furniture much easier.
- Cordless Drill
A cordless drill is a good investment if you do a lot of IKEA furniture assembly. It will make drilling holes and driving screws much easier. You can find a cordless drill at most hardware stores or online.
- Circular Saw
A circular saw can be helpful if you need to cut wood to size. This is especially true if you’re working with IKEA furniture that doesn’t come in pre-cut pieces.
A circular saw can make it much easier to get the pieces together correctly. You can find a circular saw at most hardware stores or online.
- Dropcloth
IKEA furniture is made largely of manufactured wood. It’s an upgraded version of particle board and, as such, will scratch easily. It can also scratch flooring if it is wood or tile.
A drop cloth will protect the furniture and the surface used to put it together.
It is also possible to use the IKEA box, but that is not necessarily a good idea. Cardboard can be slippery, making it harder to put things together. It may also increase the chance that screws and other round items will roll away.
- Power drill or power screwdriver
Both are optional, as IKEA includes a hand-powered screwdriver in many of its kits. However, for larger projects or people who prefer not to use a hand drill, either of these power tools can make the job much easier.
Let’s face it; there are a lot of tiny screws that need to go into the furniture. A power tool will help tremendously and save your wrist from pain as the day wears on. If you have a power drill, that’s great.
If not, power screwdrivers are cheaper. They aren’t as fast as a power drill, but it’s still better than the alternative.
A drill is a big help when it comes to assembling IKEA furniture. The holes for the screws are not always perfectly lined up, making it difficult to get them in with just a screwdriver.
A handheld drill will make the job much easier and go much faster. You can find a good quality one for a few dollars.
Try using a rubber mallet if you don’t want to drill into your furniture. This will help you line up the screws, so they go in more easily. You can also gently tap the pieces of furniture together, so they fit snugly.
Metric hexagonal bit set. Sure, you could use Allen wrenches as recommended by IKEA, but it can be a pain. These go into the power drill/ power screwdriver, so those wrenches are unnecessary. This makes it much easier to put it together.
- Ratcheting screwdriver
This is a nice tool to have, but not necessary. It has a screwdriver handle with interchangeable heads. That way, you can use it for different types of screws. This is helpful because IKEA furniture uses several different types of screws.
Wait, what? Well, some of those screws are delicate. They require a hand tool, but that doesn’t mean it has to hurt the hand. Turn-lock fasteners are notorious for this and will work much easier with this screwdriver.
They only require a half-turn, but think how many there are!
- Lightweight hammer
IKEA furniture is made of wood, and wood can split. A lightweight hammer can help prevent that from happening.
It can also tap pieces together, so they fit snugly gently. This is a great tool to have on hand, just in case. You can find one at any hardware store.
There are a lot of pegs in IKEA furniture, particularly the larger pieces such as beds.
Not getting the peg in properly can lead to problems with the furniture. Slats can fall out when the pegs fall out, and beds and/or couches will sag.
The easy answer is to use a lightweight hammer to tap the pegs into place, ensuring they are snug and won’t come out easily.
A lightweight hammer can help get the pegs in without the extreme threat of denting or making a hole in the piece. Heavier hammers could cause damage. A tack hammer comes to mind as the possible best bet here.
- Rubber hammer
This is different from the lightweight hammer in that it is larger. It can be used to help put things together, but it is more likely to cause damage if not used carefully. If you must use this, tap gently and not swing wildly.
Like the ratcheting screwdriver, a rubber hammer is for more delicate areas. It is also for areas that might show; a hole in it would be problematic.
- Square
This is another optional tool. A square can help you make sure everything is lined up properly. This is especially helpful when putting together bookcases and dressers.
If something is just a little off, it can throw the whole thing off balance. A small square can help ensure things are level and flush before screwing them. This will save you time and effort in the long run.
- Screws
Of course, you need screws! IKEA does not include these with their furniture. They do sell them, but they are overpriced.
You can find screws at any hardware store for a fraction of the price. Just make sure you get the right size and type!
- Dinner reservations
Ok, you’ve put it together. Most likely, it was with a significant other or a friend, with plenty of arguments. No one wants to make dinner, and most of the time, everyone is tired unless it’s a simple side table.
Having something to look forward to will make the whole thing much easier.
To Sum it Up:
Building IKEA furniture can be painful, but it can be much easier with the right tools. Make sure you have a power drill, metric hexagonal bit set, ratcheting screwdriver, lightweight hammer, and rubber hammer.
You might also want to consider a square. Don’t forget the screws! And finally, make sure you have a dinner reservation for after. You’ll need it!
