Mini Makeover: How Not to Lose Your Head Whilst Building Flat Pack Furniture

Flat pack furniture can seem like such a great idea when we’re browsing the catalogues, and for those of us that love IKEA it comes as part of the deal, but if we get out of the store unscathed, there’s still that pesky matter of reading the instructions and putting it all together. Yes, you could hire someone to do this, but really, it’s more likely that it becomes some kind of late afternoon/evening activity that can get on anyone’s nerves.

Personally, I love flat pack furniture, if I am left to do it at my own pace and without an audience. So I thought for today’s mini makeover, I’d share some tips on how not to lose your head whilst building flat pack furniture.

What you’ll need:

• The Flat Pack Furniture seems obvious, but it helps to have it with you when you’re ready to start ;)
  
• All the parts and any tools that come included make sure you have all the parts before beginning! It’s no fun trying to put together something with missing parts (believe me!!)
  
• The instruction booklet don’t skip this part!
  
• Hammer (if required) No you cannot just use [insert something that is not a hammer here]!
• Screwdrivers (if required) Always handy to have with you just in case
• Drill (if required) I always keep this on hand, in case screwdrivers don’t do the job
• Space in the room of use to assemble the furniture So you don’t have to try to squish it through doors and up stairs later
• A cushion for sitting on the floor with the furniture Your back will thank you
  
• Your mini makeover essentials (as shown below)

Mini Makeover Essentials:

• a bottle of water to keep you hydrated;
• a snack for rumbly tummies;
• good tunes playing;
• and have your patience hat on. Warning: do not attempt if patience is low, it could all end in tears, or everything in the bin! Danger, Will Robinson!!

Once you’ve got your flat pack with all the parts and tools, have made sure that you’re hydrated and are in possession of your patience hat, it’s time to get started in the room where the furniture will live.  If necessary, shoo anyone who might disagree with the instructions from the room. This is for your sanity (and possibly your relationship). Now it’s time to turn up the tunes, carefully check all the instructions and that you have all the pieces, and start with step one.

Take your time with it, and use the drill if the screwdriver is too hard on your hands. Test the speed and strength away from the furniture first, once you can control the speed, then slowly use the drill. Have a cushion to sit on, and take breaks when your back starts to ache. Only attempt one piece of furniture at a time, no matter how keen you are. If you’re working as a team with someone, remember to be kind to each other, flat packs have a built in frustration factor.

Once you get to the half way mark, take a break and give each other a high five. If it’s just you, a fist pump will do. Once you’ve had a snack it’s time to tackle the second half, and the often annoying part of turning it the right way up. Take another look at the instructions for a refresher and remember that you’re on the home stretch! Woo! Blast those tunes again, and finish off the job. Another high five or fist pump is in order once it’s upright, and again when it’s where it’s meant to be! Celebrate the little wins so you don’t go mad!

Then it’s time for another little break for a drink and then it’s time to clean up the boxes and the mess that’s left behind. Reward yourself by being about to put things in or on your new awesome furniture that you put together yourself. Go you! If it was stressful, best you close the door on it and go to another part of the house and wait until the stress of it has subsided somewhat and you can just admire your new furniture and forget about the constructing part.

Remember to give yourself time in between flat packs if you bought more than one. Alternate between big and small things if that’s an option. The smaller ones can seem so easy after putting together a big and involved one.

Buying furniture is stressful enough, so remember to be kind to yourselves and to not let any disagreements go to heart. Buy some treats to hide in the pantry until after it’s complete and you can celebrate successfully constructing your new [insert piece of furniture here].

What are your tips for building flat pack furniture without losing your head? I’d love to hear! Tell me in the comments!

If you do try this, I’d love to see a photo or hear about how it went! Tweet me your pics at: @danniellecresp or instagram me at: @dannielle with the hashtag: #styleaminimakeover