Assembling IKEA furniture can truly test the strength of your relationship. It’s a well-known fact: if you and your partner tackle one of those flat-pack wonders together, there’s a good chance you’ll find yourselves questioning everything. Experts suggest that the process is a good indicator of how much stress your relationship can endure. So, before booking a couples therapy session, why not try your hand at assembling a complicated 50-piece IKEA wardrobe instead?
Psychologist Lisa Tran shared with The Daily Observer, “Walking through the aisles of IKEA often turns into a relationship battleground.” She often assigns couples the task of building a large piece of furniture at home and encourages them to reflect on the experience afterward.
IKEA isn’t thrilled about the reputation it has garnered as a bringer of couple disputes. An IKEA representative told The Daily Observer, “We encourage couples to prepare for their visit by exploring our catalog online. Once they arrive, they can enjoy a meal or a drink in our café and discuss their ideas together. After making selections, various services are available to simplify the final stages, including options for IKEA to pick, deliver, or even assemble their purchases.”
But let’s be real – no amount of Swedish meatballs can save you from the inevitable chaos. Unless one of those friendly yellow-and-blue staff members is available to come home with you and assemble that MÖBEL, chances are you’ll find yourselves bickering. The arguments often start while navigating the labyrinth that is the IKEA showroom (I told you we should have turned left at the fake plants!), and they escalate when you attempt to fit a massive, heavy box (that’s supposed to magically become your new bookshelf) into your car. And wait until you crack open that instruction manual with no words! At least one of you will end up in tears.
If you’re feeling brave enough to test your relationship by assembling an IKEA piece, here’s a fun guide to help you choose where to start:
- KALLAX shelf
- Difficulty level: Novice
- Instruction manual length: 7 pages
- Thoughts upon completion: We did it!
- LACK coffee table
- Difficulty level: Beginner
- Instruction manual length: 10 pages
- Thoughts upon completion: There was a moment of doubt, but it turns out we can follow pictures after all!
- MALM dresser
- Difficulty level: Advanced
- Instruction manual length: 30 pages
- Thoughts upon completion: Seriously? How did we end up with this many leftover screws? I need a break.
- LIATORP media unit
- Difficulty level: NO
- Instruction manual length: 40 pages
- Thoughts upon completion: I can’t even look at you right now.
The best way to preserve your sanity? Just hire someone to assemble it for you. Many people don’t realize that this option exists, but it may save your relationship from an IKEA-induced meltdown.
In summary, while assembling IKEA furniture can be a memorable experience, it can also lead to frustration and conflict. Consider your options wisely, and don’t hesitate to lean on resources like this informative page about pregnancy or check out this article on at-home insemination kits for additional support. And for further insights on navigating relationships, you can find more at this link.