How to assemble flat-pack furniture
Assemble flat-pack furniture by unpacking onto a blanket, sorting and counting every part against the list, reading the whole booklet once, then building in its order with screws snug but not forced. Cam locks turn a half turn to lock. Any tall dresser, bookcase or wardrobe needs the anti-tip strap fixed into a wall stud, because tip-overs cause serious injuries.
Why it matters: Most new homes start with boxes, and tall pieces need anchoring to be safe.
Steps
- Open the box on a blanket or the flattened carton to protect the floor and the panels.
- Sort screws, dowels and cam locks into cups and count them against the parts list.
- Read the whole booklet once before starting, noting any step marked for two people.
- Build in the booklet's order, keeping finished edges facing the way the drawing shows.
- Tighten screws snug by hand or on a low drill clutch; overtightening strips particle board.
- Turn cam locks a half turn until they pull the panels tight.
- Fix the anti-tip strap into a wall stud for every tall piece, and load heavy items in the bottom drawers.
Stop and call a professional if
- you cannot find a stud for the anti-tip strap, or the wall is brick or plaster: ask a handyperson
Common mistakes
- Throwing away the anti-tip kit.
- Using a drill on full power, which strips holes.
- Building a tall wardrobe lying down in a room too low to stand it up.
Teach this to someone
A one page sheet for showing a friend, a teenager or a parent: what to say, what to show, and one question to check it landed.
Teach: How to assemble flat-pack furniture
What to say
Assemble flat-pack furniture by unpacking onto a blanket, sorting and counting every part against the list, reading the whole booklet once, then building in its order with screws snug but not forced. Cam locks turn a half turn to lock. Any tall dresser, bookcase or wardrobe needs the anti-tip strap fixed into a wall stud, because tip-overs cause serious injuries.
What to show
- Open the box on a blanket or the flattened carton to protect the floor and the panels.
- Sort screws, dowels and cam locks into cups and count them against the parts list.
- Read the whole booklet once before starting, noting any step marked for two people.
- Build in the booklet's order, keeping finished edges facing the way the drawing shows.
- Tighten screws snug by hand or on a low drill clutch; overtightening strips particle board.
- Turn cam locks a half turn until they pull the panels tight.
- Fix the anti-tip strap into a wall stud for every tall piece, and load heavy items in the bottom drawers.
Where it stops
Stop and call a professional if you cannot find a stud for the anti-tip strap, or the wall is brick or plaster: ask a handyperson.
Check question
What should every tall dresser or bookcase have?
Answer: An anti-tip strap into a wall stud. Anchoring prevents dangerous tip-overs.
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Quick quiz
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Related skills
Sources
- US consumer product safety guidance on furniture tip-overs, 2026. Reviewed September 28, 2026.
Written in our own words from the sources above. It is general information, not advice for your situation; where a professional, your doctor or your lease says something different, follow them.
Last reviewed . First published .