Flat-pack assembly instructions look confusing, but they follow a consistent logic. How to read diagrams, symbols, and what order to work in.
Before You Start
- Read the whole instruction once — without stopping to assemble anything. It takes 5–10 minutes and saves an hour of undoing
- Count all parts against the list at the beginning — confirm nothing is missing
- Sort the fixings by type: screws, cam bolts, dowels, confirmat screws — separate piles for each
- Get your tools ready: what you need is listed on the first page of most instructions
The Parts List and Labels
At the start of the instruction there is a parts list: each part has a letter or number label, its dimensions, and quantity. This key applies to every diagram in the booklet.
- Parts are labelled A, B, C or 1, 2, 3 — the same label is used consistently throughout all steps
- Dimensions are in mm — double-check when you have several parts of the same type but different sizes
- Fixings are listed separately, usually with a size code (M6×30 = M6 bolt, 30 mm long)
- If a part label appears in multiple steps, it is used more than once — that is intentional
How to Read Assembly Diagrams
Most modern instructions are text-free: only pictures and arrows. The visual grammar is the same everywhere.
- Arrow = direction of movement of a part or fixing
- Dashed outline = a part already fitted in a previous step
- Circle with a zoom = an important joint shown in detail
- Number in a circle next to a fixing = how many of that fixing go in at this step
- Cross or stop symbol = do not do this (usually shows incorrect part orientation)
Types of Fixing and How to Tell Them Apart
| Fixing | What it looks like | What it does |
|---|
| Confirmat (euro screw) | Thick screw with a hex head | Joins two melamine board panels |
| Dowel (wooden peg) | Round wooden cylinder | Aligns and positions parts |
| Cam lock (eccentric connector) | Disc + bolt (minifix) | Demountable panel joint |
| Wood screw | Thin, sharp-tipped screw | Attaches hardware, back panels |
| Bolt and nut | Through-bolt + nut | Structural load-bearing joints |
How Not to Mix Up the Face and Back of a Panel
One of the most common assembly errors is fitting a panel the wrong way round. Instructions show this, but it is not always obvious.
- The face side is the laminated surface — smooth, with the decorative finish
- In diagrams: the face side is usually shown lighter or with a texture pattern
- The edge with pre-drilled holes always goes on the inside of a joint, never facing outward
- If a part is not symmetrical, look for a factory pencil mark or identify it by its hole pattern
- Standard technique: lay all panels face-down before starting to assemble the carcass
Carcass Assembly Order
Most carcasses follow the same sequence regardless of manufacturer:
- 1. Insert dowels into all designated holes
- 2. Join one side panel to the base — do not fully tighten the confirmat screws yet
- 3. Attach the second side panel
- 4. Fit the top panel or horizontal rail
- 5. Slide in the back panel — it squares up and locks the carcass
- 6. Only once everything is square — tighten all confirmat screws fully
- 7. Fit hinges and door panels last
When the Instruction Is Unclear
- Look at the next step — the current step often makes more sense in context of what follows
- Physically hold the parts together without fixings — test the logic of the joint before committing
- Search for a video using the furniture's article number or construction type — most popular ranges are covered on YouTube
- Do not tighten anything permanently until you are sure the orientation is correct
The golden rule: do not tighten any fixing fully until the whole carcass is assembled. Build it loosely first, check the geometry is square — then tighten everything. Undoing a fully tightened carcass is far harder than adjusting a loose one.
Common Mistakes When Reading Instructions
- Skipping a step and moving on — most assembly errors come from this
- Confusing similar-looking parts of different sizes — always check against the parts list
- Using the wrong fixing — a confirmat screw instead of a wood screw or vice versa
- Tightening an eccentric cam in the wrong position — it must click into a specific orientation
- Forgetting to insert dowels before joining panels — means disassembling what you just built