The popularity of flat pack furniture assembly has exploded since its invention over 50 years ago. Flatpack furniture has a number of pros and cons which we will outline in this post!
Before you shell out on some new self-assembly furniture consider the advantages and disadvantages to decide what works best for you.
Designers aim to build popular and successful flat pack furniture that is as efficient and aesthetical as possible.
What is Flat-Pack Furniture?
Flat-pack furniture, which is also known as knockdown fittings, self-assembly and kit furniture, are all types of furniture that need to be assembled after purchase.
Flat-packs are delivered in carton flat-packed boxes. They include assembly instructions and tools for you to be able to put it together yourself.
IKEA famously popularised flat-pack furniture, which is now widely available from a number of outlets around New Zealand such as Kmart, Target & IKEA retailers.
Source: https://www.canva.com/media/MADrYrS9vIY
Pros Of Using Flat-pack Furniture
Materials Used To Create The Furniture
While some manufacturers build high-end flatpack furniture with materials such as wood that are durable and more environmentally friendly. These products tend to be of high quality and comparable to regular furniture.
High quality flat pack furniture is designed to be sturdy so that it survives being assembled, dismantled and relocated.
At the same time some retailers choose to sell cheap flat pack furniture made of low-quality materials, such as veneers and plastic fittings, that doesn’t last long or look as good. Therefore you should make an assessment based on cost to quality when choosing what brand of furniture to go for.
Transportation Of Furniture
Flatpack Furniture usually comes with free or at least cheap home delivery service. The smaller initial size means companies can use smaller trucks, Even if you are having multiple items delivered, the transportation of all items can happen together due to the smaller space required by each one of the furniture pieces. This is extremely cost-effective compared to traditional furniture. If you are taking the items home yourself, they are much easier to take home in your vehicle and unpack without having to be specially delivered.
Source: https://www.canva.com/media/MADQ5EVh7pM
Flat-pack Furniture Is Affordable
Flat-pack furniture is considerably lower in price than ready-to-use furniture. The price difference can be so great that it can make up for the lack of durability. We no longer need to rely on furniture being big investment pieces like previous generations. It has now become relatively easy and cheap to decorate and redecorate as trends and preferences change.
Large Choice Of Colours & Designs
Most manufacturers produce flat-pack furniture made from a variety of colours and designs. This means you are likely to find a design, materials and colour that perfectly matches your home’s decor & personal taste.
Easily Customisable Flat-pack Furniture
Also known as furniture hacks, Thanks to the rise in popularity of flat-pack furniture there are many bloggers and Youtubers that teach you how to customise your furniture. You can change the colours and repurpose the furniture however you like.
Source: https://www.canva.com/media/MAD_1Jq4o8M
Easier To Relocate
If you move around frequently or are a tenant, having flat-pack furniture can be a real lifesaver. It is much easier to dismantle and transport as compared to other types of furniture. If you have space you can usually move the furniture in one piece. Or if you are more limited on space, have bigger items or want to reduce the risk of damage, you can dismantle the furniture.
Flat-pack Furniture Is Compact
Manufacturers build flat-pack furniture to be compact and fit into smaller spaces. It is not a problem if you have flat-pack furniture lying around your home waiting to be assembled as it is easy to slide it into a cupboard or under a bed.
Cons Of Flat-pack Furniture
Designs Tend To Be Unoriginal
Flat-pack furniture tends to be simply designed and mass-produced. This means there isn’t much flat-pack furniture that is unique. If you like your decor to be unique and interesting, you may struggle to find flat-pack furniture that exactly matches your vision without extra work on your part.
Flat-pack Furniture May Lack Durability
Flat-pack furniture is known for being less durable than ready-to-use furniture. It is essential that you assemble the furniture correctly and according to the instructions to avoid it breaking on you. Always opt for the best quality furniture you can afford.
Note that the more times you assemble, dismantle and reassemble, the less durable it will become.
Source: https://www.canva.com/media/MABNEVGWfrA
Flat-pack Furniture Can Be Difficult To Assemble
If you are inexperienced with assembling furniture, it can be a real nightmare trying to figure it all out. Instructions can be difficult to follow and locating all the tools and small items you need to do it can be very challenging. If you don’t assemble it correctly the first time and something isn’t quite right you will need to start again, which can be frustrating.
You can always hire someone who knows what they’re doing to help, It is worthwhile to make sure your furniture is correctly assembled. You can find furniture assembly experts in Auckland on ezy peazy.
Source: https://www.canva.com/media/MADTlVXPVHQ
Missing Parts
Flat-pack furniture is mass-produced with lots of little fittings and screws. This means it is possible in rare cases that you will find you are missing some essential items to assemble your furniture making the furniture unusable or unstable.
Safety Concerns
There have been some safety concerns regarding flat-pack furniture. Especially when it comes to drawers tipping over. Ensure you do your research and make sure you only select pieces that are safe, especially for young children.
Worse For The environment
Due to its low prices and lower durability, flat-pack furniture is seen as more of a disposable item than traditional furniture which is much more expensive. When the furniture breaks or people want something new, they can afford to get more furniture. This means more waste is created and more damage is done to the environment through the over-manufacturing of furniture.
There you have all the pros and cons of using flat-pack self-assembly furniture. The advantages definitely outweigh the disadvantages as long as you make sure you are selective and purchase durable, high-quality flatpack furniture that will last. You can even get around some of the cons by finding an assembly expert nearby.