Moving into a new apartment is an exciting milestone—but once the boxes are unpacked, you face a daunting new challenge: to assemble furniture. From bed frames to bookshelves, putting everything together can be surprisingly time-consuming. So how long does it really take to assemble your furniture in a new apartment? The answer depends on several factors, including the type and amount of furniture, your experience level, and whether you’re doing it solo or with help.
Here’s a breakdown of what to expect and how to plan your time wisely.
Average Time to Assemble Common Furniture Pieces
| Furniture Item | Average Assembly Time (DIY) |
|---|---|
| Bed frame | ~2 hours |
| Dresser with drawers | 3-4 hours |
| Dining table and chairs | ~2-4 hours |
| Wardrobe | 4-6 hours |
| Sofa (modular/sectional) | 1–2 hours |
| TV stand or media console | 2-3 hours |
| Bookshelves | 1-2 hours |
| Desk or workstation | 2-3 hours |
| Nightstand | 1-2 hours |
| Coffee table | ~1 hour |
Keep in mind that these times are estimates for DIY assembly and assume you have the right tools, complete instructions, and no missing parts. It also assumes you are handy in general and have a DIY attitude.
Factors That Influence Assembly Time
1. Complexity of the Furniture
- Flat-pack items like those from IKEA are designed for DIY assembly but can still be tricky.
- More intricate pieces with drawers, hinges, or moving parts (like dressers or desks) often take longer.
- Larger Items like wardrobes typically take the longest and require at least 2 people.
2. Your Skill Level
- If you’re handy with tools and have experience reading assembly instructions, you’ll move faster than someone doing it for the first time.
- Using an electric screwdriver can save a lot of time and wrist strain. However, keep in mind power tools make it very easy to damage parts and compromise the furniture’s integrity. So if you are not very experienced with a drill, just use a manual screwdriver.
- A one-bedroom apartment might require assembling 8–12 pieces of furniture.
- Spreading it out over several days can prevent burnout, but if you’re in a rush, a full setup could take 20–30 hours total.
3. Quantity of Furniture
- Higher quality items are typically easier and faster to assemble. So please consider the cost of your time when selecting furniture. Professional furniture assemblers will also take this into account and typically charge more for pieces that are likely to have poor instructions and fasteners. (i.e. Temu furniture, cheap Amazon knock-offs, etc.)
4. Help or No Help
- Having a second person to assist—especially for heavy or large items—can cut assembly time nearly in half.
5. Organization and Tools
- Preparing in advance (laying out parts, checking for missing pieces, having tools ready) speeds things up significantly.
- Don’t underestimate the amount of garbage! After assembling all the furniture for even a 1 Bedroom apartment you will be left with enough boxes/packaging to almost fill a room. Make a plan to deal with it if you are doing everything in one go, or space things out over several days to make it more manageable. If you are hiring the job out, furniture assembly companies typically do not include off-site disposal in their quotes – so make sure to ask how much extra it will be! The convenience is often worth the minor extra cost.
Tips to Speed Up the Process
- Unbox and sort all components before starting each item.
- Read the entire instruction manual once before beginning assembly.
- Assemble larger items first (like the bed or sofa), so you have enough room to do them.
- Use the right tools—a power drill with the right bits can save hours, but if you are not skilled with using them, power tools can cause damage that will take hours to repair.
- Group similar items together (e.g., assemble all chairs at once).
- Work in a clean, open space to avoid losing screws and parts.
Professional Assembly Time
If you hire a professional assembly service, expect significantly shorter times. For example:
- A queen-size bed frame: 45 mins -1 hour
- A dining table with four chairs: 1-2 hour
- An entire 1-bedroom apartment: usually done in one day with a team of 2.
Professionals come with experience, tools, and efficiency that can drastically reduce setup time. In fact, they usually work 2x faster than a handy DIYer and 3x faster than the average person with no experience.
Bottom Line
For most people assembling furniture in a new apartment, the process can take anywhere from 1 to 4 full days depending on how much you have and how quickly you work. Breaking the task into manageable chunks and preparing properly can help you settle into your new space more smoothly.
If time is tight—or you’re just not up for it—don’t hesitate to call in the pros. But if you’re comfortable with tools and have the patience, DIY assembly can be both practical and rewarding. Either way, plan ahead so you can enjoy your new apartment without living among boxes and screws for too long.
