Posted on April 22nd, 2023.

Assembling furniture can be challenging and requires skills like mechanical aptitude, ability to interpret and follow visual diagrams, ability to follow challenging written instructions, and an understanding of the bigger design picture when an instruction is inaccurate or inadequate. This is especially true of cheaper brands that frequently have design flaws and include instructions as an after-thought, rather than as a key piece of value delivery.  

At Erik’s Helping Hands, we’re all about helping. We’re going to give you a few tips we’ve picked up through years of furniture assembly experience. But if you have furniture that needs assembly in the Milwaukee area, consider hiring us for the task. The best way to do that is to complete our Furniture Assembly Intake Form . We’ll get back to you with an estimate and current availability.

And now for the tips:

1. Read the instructions carefully: Before starting the assembly process, take the time to read the instructions thoroughly. At least take a few minutes to review all the parts that are typically listed at the front of the instructions. Especially look at the hardware and note any subtle differences, like slightly different lengths or thread pitches etc. Find a completed view of the furniture and study that for a few minutes. Skim through the entire set of instructions before beginning to get an overview of the order of assembly.

2. Organize your workspace: Clear a space for assembly and organize your tools and parts in a logical order. This will save you time and prevent frustration. Whether you’re doing this yourself or hiring Erik’s Helping Hands, we recommend creating a space that is approximately 3X the expected space required for the finished piece of furniture.

3. Use the right tools: Using the right tools for the job will make assembly much easier. Make sure you have a screwdriver, hammer, pliers, and any other listed tools on hand.

4. Work on a level surface: Ensure that the surface you're working on is level. This will prevent wobbling or instability in the finished product. Use carpet, a blanket, or drop cloth to avoid scratching hard floors or your new furniture.

5. Don't tighten screws too early or too much: When assembling furniture, it's important not to tighten screws too early. Sometimes it’s best to wait until the piece is fully assembled before tightening all screws. It can also be a good idea to hand-tighten all the fasteners in a sub-assembly and then follow-up with the screwdriver or wrench. There are nuances to proper tightening that are too deep for this blog post, but if you hire us or want to come train with us , we’re happy to demonstrate more best practices around torque. And be careful if you’re using power tools! It’s very easy to over-tighten with power tools.

6. Seek help when needed: If you're struggling with a particularly tricky part of the assembly process, don't hesitate to seek help from a friend or professional. If you’re in the Milwaukee area, we’re here for hire. We prefer to begin from an unopened box, but if you’ve worked yourself into a frustrating state, don’t be embarrassed to reach out . 

At Erik’s Helping Hands, we’ve encountered and assembled many different brands of furniture and equipment. The following list isn’t everything we’ve assembled, but it is a list of some of the brands we enjoy assembling:

IKEA: IKEA furniture is known for its affordability and modern design. However, it can also be notoriously difficult to assemble if you’re not familiar with the “IKEA” language. At Erik’s Helping Hands, we speak “IKEA” fluently. If you’re going it alone, be sure to read the instructions carefully, follow the steps in order, and pay attention to what the little pointy fingers are trying to show you.

Sauder: Sauder furniture is known for its quality and durability. However, it can also be quite heavy and challenging to assemble. A professional handyman can help with this task.

Wayfair: Wayfair offers a wide variety of furniture, from traditional to modern styles. Be sure to read the reviews and assembly instructions carefully before making a purchase.

Love Sac: Love Sac furniture is known for its unique, modular design. While it can be easy to assemble, it can also be bulky, and it's important to ensure that all pieces are securely connected.

Rogue Fitness and Titan Fitness: These brands offer high-quality fitness equipment, but assembly can be heavy, complex, and time-consuming. A professional handyman can help ensure that your equipment is assembled safely and correctly.

The Unmentionables: There are many cheap brands out there. They’re characterized by weak design, sloppy manufacturing, toxic chemicals that chemically burn your skin during assembly, instructions in broken English, and diagrams that clearly are not an accurate 3D model of the components in your box.

We’re not saying that any brands not on the main list belong to the Unmentionables category. If you represent a furniture company that’s proud of its product, or if you’re a consumer with a favorite furniture shout out, let us know .

In conclusion, assembling furniture can be a daunting task, but with the right tips and tricks, it doesn't have to be. And if you're not up for the challenge, don't hesitate to request the services of a professional handyman. If you’re located in Milwaukee or surrounding neighborhoods and suspect you don’t have the time or possibly the know-how, the best thing for you to do is to fill out our Furniture Assembly Intake Form as soon as you’ve ordered your new furniture. Happy Assembling!