Furniture Assembly
Flat-pack furniture arrives in heavy boxes with a bag of fittings and an instruction sheet that assumes you have a free afternoon and a second pair of hands. Assembly pros do it every day, so they know which steps are easy to get wrong and how to fix things that aren't quite as the drawing shows.
What gets assembled
Almost anything sold in a box: beds and bunk beds, wardrobes and sliding-door closets, chests of drawers, desks, dining tables and chairs, sofas and armchairs with bolt-on legs and backs, bookcases, shelving units, TV units and full flat-pack kitchens. Outdoor furniture is a big part of the work in Cyprus, too, with patio sets, sun loungers, aluminium gazebos and pergola kits that have to be set square and anchored against the wind.
Why it takes longer than you'd think
- A large wardrobe can have well over a hundred pieces, and sliding doors need fine adjustment to run straight.
- Floors in older flats are rarely level, so tall units need shimming before the doors line up.
- Kitchens involve cutting worktops, fitting plinths and leaving space and access for plumbing and electrics.
- Particleboard holes strip if screws are overtightened with a drill, which is a common DIY mistake.
Fixing furniture to the wall
Tall wardrobes, bookcases and chests of drawers can tip over if a child climbs them or a drawer is pulled out full. Most come with an anti-tip strap or bracket, and an assembler will fix it into the wall with the right plug for concrete, brick or plasterboard. The same applies to hanging mirrors, shelves, TV brackets and pictures. Wall hanging is a separate job you can add to the same visit.
Getting ready for the visit
Take the boxes to the room where the furniture will go, if you can carry them, and leave a clear floor space. Send a link or the product names so the assembler can check instructions and estimate time. Mention if you want the packaging taken away, as not everyone includes that. If several items are arriving on different days, it's usually cheaper to book them all on one date once everything's delivered.