Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Style

It’s official: Study says this is the most stressful IKEA furniture to assemble

Have you been stressed out by this Ikea furniture yet?

Julie Scagell
By

If you love everything there is to love about IKEA (the prices, the selection, the tasty meatballs) but wince when it comes to their RTA (ready-to-assemble), flatpack furniture pieces, and the often confusing, wordless instructions that come with them, know you’re not alone. It can be overwhelming to say the least, especially if you don’t consider yourself handy.

If you’re looking to avoid that frustration, hotukdeals created the Flat-Pack Stress Index — basically, they got 100 participants to assemble flatpack furniture and tracked their heart rate and heart rate variance to see how much they stressed and exerted themselves putting together some of IKEA’s most popular furniture items. Which IKEA furniture is the most stressful to put together? Here’s what they found.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

PAX wardrobes

PAX wardrobes seem to be one of the most stressful items to build from IKEA, scoring a whopping 100 out of 100 for stress (measured by heart rate, heart rate variance, and completion rate). For one, there are a lot of pieces you have to assemble, and you have to choose what pieces to order from the retailer. These wardrobes, while affordable, also come in many boxes, which can be stressful for many people. In this study, only half the people completed the piece on time.

Recommended Videos

BRIMNES storage bed

Next up on the stress scale is the BRIMNES storage bed. I can speak from experience on this one as I bought this bed for my teenage son and can also confirm there was some colorful language used during its assembly.

Related

HEMNES day bed

The HEMNES day-bed came in right behind with near-identical results with “heart rate rises of 18% and HRV drops of 24% respectively.” It also comes with a lot of parts, boxes, and general anxiety for the casual DIYer. Both pieces scored just “4 out of 10 in satisfaction,” according to the participants.

BESTA TV bench

Rounding out the top four is the BESTA bench, another product at IKEA that can be stressful for some to assemble. If you do finally get it sorted, a gentle reminder that this bench can only hold around 100-150 pounds, depending on which type you order. There are a lot of little screws, making it hard for those with larger hands. Again, they are reasonably priced, so the effort may be worth it.

Hotukdeals has the full list of results.

While putting together furniture can be overwhelming, you could look at assembling IKEA furniture as a challenge of sorts where you can declare yourself a winner when all is said and done… even if you have a few (or ten) extra pieces left over when you’re finished.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Julie Scagell
Julie Scagell
Former Digital Trends Contributor
I am a freelance writer based in Minneapolis, MN. My passions include my dogs, talking about my dogs, and taking pictures of…
These are the colors that go with green: Design your home around this hue
What color complements green? Here are some amazing options
Green living room with gold accent pieces

The color we're talking about today is rich and vivid green. Several well-renowned paint companies like Sherwin-Williams, Behr, and Glidden have named different shades of green the color of the year. A natural and lively color, green is peaceful, luxe, and vibrant, making it the perfect new addition to your space.

With its delicate ties to nature, this color is the perfect addition to home design and will have you considering switching up your existing theme. Whether you want to revamp your kitchen, dining space, bedroom, or bathroom, green is a versatile tone with several complementary color combinations.

Read more
7 things designers say everyone gets wrong about rustic farmhouse style
Expert tips to avoid kitsch and instead curate a sophisticated design
Rustic farmhouse dining room with a dog

Rustic farmhouse design has been incredibly popular for quite a while now. And while some predict that the trend is on its way out, the aesthetic still dominates both cozy apartments and spacious homes. To get the lowdown on rustic farmhouse interior design, we spoke to Saloni Ingle, an interior design architect at Nitido Design, and Anna Franklin, an interior designer at Stone House Collective. Here’s what the two experts said everyone gets wrong about the design style.

Assuming rustic can’t be sophisticated
There’s a specific image that comes to mind when people picture a rustic farmhouse home. “People often assume that a rustic farmhouse design is all burlap, roosters, and quirky decor that only belongs in rural or country homes,” Franklin said.

Read more
The best greige paint colors that will completely refresh your home
Try these greige paint colors for a change of scenery
Greige living room with brick wall

In the realm of interior design, finding the perfect neutral hue can transform a space from ordinary to extraordinary. Greige, a sophisticated blend of gray and beige, has emerged as a timeless favorite for its ability to effortlessly complement a variety of styles and aesthetics.

Whether used as a wall color, trim accent, or foundation for decor, greige offers a subtle yet elegant backdrop that enhances any room. If you’re searching for the best greige paint colors, we’ve got you covered! Keep reading to find out why it’s a great color, how best to use it, and some of our favorite greige paints.

Read more