How to prepare your home for furniture assembly

New furniture is exciting — until the boxes are in the hallway and you realise the room isn't ready. A little preparation before the assembly team arrives makes the job faster, safer and cleaner. Here is what we recommend, whether you are expecting a single wardrobe or a whole flat of flat-pack furniture.

Before the appointment

Check the delivery

• Compare the packages with the delivery note or order confirmation: large items often come in several boxes, and one missing box can stop the whole job.
• Look for visible transport damage on the packaging and report it to the seller straight away.
• Keep the boxes closed until assembly day, so small parts don't get lost. If you do open them, keep the instructions and the bags of fittings together.

Decide where everything goes

Measure the room and mark the final position of each piece. Remember to check:

• Ceiling height — a tall wardrobe needs extra room to be tilted upright after assembly.
• Doors and drawers — they need space to open fully, also next to radiators, windows and light switches.
• Sockets — keep them accessible, especially behind TV units, desks and bedside tables.
• Skirting boards and uneven floors — they affect how close to the wall a unit can stand.

Tell us about your walls

Tall furniture such as wardrobes and bookcases should be fixed to the wall so that it cannot tip over; most manufacturers include an anti-tip kit for this reason. The right anchor depends on the wall: concrete, brick and plasterboard all need different fixings. If you know the wall type, tell us in advance. Please also let us know if there may be cables or pipes in the wall, or underfloor heating where something needs to be fixed to the floor.

If you live in a rented flat and are unsure whether you may drill, ask your landlord before the appointment.

Prepare the room

Before starting your project, make sure your room is ready and that you have enough space to work safely. Our guide to assembling flat-pack furniture explains how to approach the assembly process and avoid common mistakes. If you would prefer professional help, take a look at our furniture assembly service in Ticino.

• Clear the space. Empty the area where the furniture will stand and leave enough room around it to lay out large panels — often a free floor area bigger than the finished piece.
• Protect the floor. Delicate parquet or tiles can be covered with blankets or cardboard; we also bring protective material.
• Remove old furniture that is being replaced, or tell us if you would like us to dismantle it and take it away.
• Think about access. Tell us about parking, the floor, the lift and any narrow staircases, so we can plan how to carry long boxes.
• Keep children and pets away from the working area: tools, screws and heavy panels are not toys.

Tip: If you have furniture from several shops, group the boxes by room before we arrive. It saves time — and with an hourly rate, time matters.

Kitchens, bathrooms and TVs: what to know

Kitchen and bathroom furniture

We assemble and mount base and wall cabinets, fronts, pre-cut worktops and vanity units, and we can position appliances and plug them into an existing, suitable socket. What we don't do is fixed electrical or plumbing work — for example hard-wiring a hob or an oven, or connecting taps, sinks and drains. These jobs must be carried out by certified professionals. We will point out which connections need one before we start, so that you can book it in good time.

TV wall mounting

Have the model of your TV at hand: its size, its weight and the pattern of the mounting holes on the back determine the right bracket. Decide on the viewing height beforehand — a common reference is to have the centre of the screen roughly at eye level when seated. We can tidy the visible cables; running cables or power inside the wall is electrical work for a certified electrician.

On the day

1. Be at home at the start, to confirm positions and answer questions.
2. Keep spare keys, parking details and the order confirmation at hand.
3. At the end, check the result with us: doors aligned, drawers running smoothly, wall fixings in place.
4. Keep the leftover fittings and the instructions — they are useful if you move or need to adjust something later.

Packaging

Flat-pack furniture produces a surprising amount of cardboard, foam and plastic. We take the packaging away and bring it to the appropriate recycling channels, so you are left with finished furniture rather than a mountain of boxes.

With a clear room, accessible walls and all the parts ready, assembly goes smoothly. Would you rather hand the whole job over? Request a free quote and tell us what you have bought — we will take care of the rest.