A fitted wardrobe can sometimes be remarkably difficult to install by yourself, but by planning ahead, using our online wardrobe builder to carefully measure the room and carefully following the instructions, you can avoid making an elementary error that delays its completion.
The advantage of designing your own flatpack furniture is that it becomes a lot easier to build the wardrobe kit yourself; all of the pieces are cut based on your online measurements and put together into a kit that only requires basic tools to construct.
However, alongside the issues that can sometimes come with designing your wardrobe, you also need to ensure that you avoid making mistakes during the building phase, as any errors, misalignments or damage could linger for the lifetime of the fitted wardrobe.
With that in mind, here are some of the biggest mistakes you can make when putting a fitted wardrobe together and how you can best avoid any problems.
Have You Fully Read The Fitted Wardrobe’s Instructions Before You Start?
One of the most common errors made in the heat of excitement when starting a new project is failing to read the instruction manual first and improvising based on a series of educated guesses.
Flatpack furniture often relies on a specific construction order to ensure that everything is in place and properly aligned, and doing certain steps out of order can cause instability with your fitted wardrobe, leaning doors or shelves that are at risk of falling over.
An extra ten minutes reading through the instructions can save you years of problems later, or at least will spare you the headache of having to take down entire sections to put back together properly.
Have You Laid Out Everything You Need To Build The Fitted Wardrobe?
The first and most important step is to make sure you have everything you need. All of the components will usually be clearly noted in the instruction manual, and you will generally receive an Allen key to screw in the dozens of screws and brackets.
Lay everything on the floor (or on your bed if you do not have the space) and make sure you have all of the bits and pieces you need to successfully complete the wardrobe before you start.
As well as this, check that the connection holes are properly aligned, there is no damage to the panels, and you have a place to easily store screws and tools when not in use.
Are You Attempting To Tighten Screws Too Hard?
If you are struggling, straining or attempting to force pieces of your wardrobe together, something is wrong, and tightening screws too hard can often damage brackets and wooden panels.
In general, some common sense is needed when tightening screws; you can always tighten a loose screw later, but a screw that is tight enough to split the board will be damaged forever and require some wood glue to salvage.
Are You Building A Fitted Wardrobe On An Uneven Floor?
When you are building your fitted wardrobe, make sure you are using a spirit level and be mindful of problems that can emerge when building on carpet or other inherently uneven floor surfaces.
This is particularly important for fitted wardrobes, as they are inherently fixed to the wall and need to be properly levelled out before the doors are installed.
Are You Pacing Yourself When Building A Fitted Wardrobe?
It is vital not to rush when building any flatpack furniture, but a fitted wardrobe is a particularly complex project that needs to be taken slowly and gradually.
If you are feeling sore, tired or impatient, the best step to take is to have a break, have a drink and come back to the project with a clear head.
Impatience often leads to frustration, which can lead to outright anger when not kept in check.
Are You Trying To Go It Alone?
Heavy pieces of furniture should really be built by two people if at all possible. If you must build it alone, be very careful with heavier panels, shelves and doors to avoid injury, and ensure that you take your time with every major step.
A huge mistake is to try and build a wardrobe by yourself, only to find that you cannot safely lift pieces you need or be able to hold them as you screw them in place.
Do You Feel Comfortable Building A Fitted Wardrobe?
Ultimately, you need to be honest with yourself when it comes to your comfort levels building a fitted wardrobe by yourself.
Our kits can be put together by someone comfortable with more complex DIY projects, but if you feel at all concerned about being out of your depth, get in touch with a professional joiner or installer to put it together for you and ensure it is properly in place.
