+675 323 3319 Enquiry
Flat-pack furniture is only frustrating when it is rushed. Lay it out, follow the order, and it goes together cleanly in one go. Skip steps or over-tighten, and you end up with a wobbly piece and spare screws you cannot place.

What you'll need

Everything here is stocked across our branches.

Step by step

  1. 1

    Lay everything out and count the parts first

    Open the box on a clean, soft surface (a blanket stops scratches), lay out every panel and count the hardware against the parts list before you start. Finding a missing part now is far better than three steps in.

  2. 2

    Read the whole instruction through once

    Look at every step before you begin so you know which way panels face and where the finished/visible sides go. Most mistakes are a panel put in back-to-front early on.

  3. 3

    Follow the order and start screws by hand

    Do the steps in the given order — it is designed so earlier steps hold later ones. Start every screw and cam fitting by hand to get the thread right, then tighten. This avoids cross-threading and stripped holes.

  4. 4

    Do not over-tighten — especially in chipboard

    Most flat-pack is chipboard or MDF with a thin finish. Snug is enough; over-tightening strips the hole or bulges the panel. If you use a drill/driver, set the clutch low and finish by hand.

  5. 5

    Square it up and fix tall units to the wall

    Check the piece is square before final tightening (a rack of a few millimetres now becomes a wobble later). Fit the back panel, which usually squares and stiffens the whole thing. Tall units — wardrobes, bookcases — must be anchored to the wall with the supplied or a suitable bracket so they cannot tip.

Tips for the PNG climate

  • Anchor tall furniture to the wall — a bookcase or wardrobe that can tip is a real danger, especially with children. Use the right wall anchor for your wall (see our fixings guide).
  • In a humid climate, keep flat-pack board furniture out of direct damp; swollen chipboard never recovers. Wipe spills quickly.
  • A stripped screw hole can be rescued with a little glue and a matchstick or timber sliver packed in before re-driving the screw.
  • Keep the little bag of spare parts and the instructions — you will want them if you move or add a shelf later.

Common questions

What tools do I need for flat-pack?
Usually a screwdriver and the hex key supplied, plus a cordless drill/driver (on a low clutch setting) speeds it up. Our branches stock the lot.
How do I stop the finished piece wobbling?
Check it is square before final tightening and fit the back panel — that is what stiffens most units. Do not over-tighten and pull it out of square.
Do I really need to fix it to the wall?
For tall units, yes — wardrobes and bookcases can tip, which is dangerous around children. Use the bracket supplied, or a wall anchor suited to your wall.

Ready to start?

Add what you need to an enquiry and choose your nearest branch. We confirm the price and what is in stock before you travel — fourteen branches in ten locations.

Browse products Find your branch

More in Home & living