Every IKEA flat-pack box includes a small hex (Allen) key sized to that piece's screws, plus all the screws, dowels, and cam locks the build calls for — but it almost never includes a screwdriver, a drill, or a mallet, and the included hex key is short enough to make your hand cramp on a large build. Check the first page of the instructions, which lists every tool the piece actually needs; for most GTA homeowners, the fastest fix is a cordless drill with a hex bit, a Phillips screwdriver, and a rubber mallet kept in a drawer for exactly this.
This mismatch between what's in the box and what makes a build go smoothly is the single biggest reason a KALLAX that should take forty minutes stretches into two hours. Knowing what's coming before you open the first bag saves a trip to the hardware store mid-build.
What tools does IKEA actually include in the box?
Every box includes the small L-shaped or folding hex key matched to that product's screw size, along with every screw, bolt, dowel, and cam lock the instructions call for — IKEA doesn't expect you to supply hardware. What it doesn't include is anything with a handle long enough to give you leverage: no screwdriver, no drill, no hammer or mallet, and no level. The hex key works, but on a multi-panel wardrobe or a bed frame with dozens of cam locks, turning that small key by hand for the full build is slow and genuinely tiring on your hand and wrist.
What do you need to bring yourself?
Four things cover almost every IKEA build: a Phillips or flat screwdriver for the handful of fasteners that aren't hex, a cordless drill with a hex-bit adapter to replace the included key for faster driving, a rubber mallet for tapping dowels and cam locks fully seated without marking the wood, and a basic level to check that shelves and cabinet sides are square before you tighten everything down. None of these are IKEA-specific — a standard homeowner toolbox already has them, and buying a drill-sized hex bit (sold in most hardware stores) is the single upgrade that saves the most time on any multi-panel piece.
Which IKEA pieces need more than the basics?
Larger, structural pieces ask for a bit more care than a small shelf does. A PAX wardrobe benefits from a second pair of hands to hold panels square while cam locks go in, and a clean, level floor — our guide on fixing sticking PAX sliding doors covers exactly how small misalignments during assembly show up later as rubbing doors. A KALLAX or BESTÅ unit is more forgiving but should still be anchored to the wall once built, since both are tall relative to their base. A bed frame needs enough floor space to lay every side panel out before joining them, and metal cam-lock bed rails specifically benefit from the drill-and-hex-bit approach, since there are usually a dozen or more to tighten.
Is it worth buying an upgraded Allen key or driver bit?
Yes, for any build with more than a handful of cam locks, a folding hex key with a long handle or a hex-bit drill adapter pays for itself on the very first wardrobe or bed frame. The included key is fine for a small bookshelf with ten screws; it's genuinely slow and uncomfortable on a PAX with a hundred-plus fasteners. A drill set to a low torque setting drives cam screws in seconds each without stripping them, which is the biggest single time-saver for any large build.
What happens if a part is missing or doesn't fit?
IKEA ships spare parts for lost small hardware directly through its customer service, usually free, so don't force a mismatched screw or skip a step because one piece is missing — pause and order the part instead. If a panel genuinely doesn't line up (not just a missing screw), stop before forcing it; a cam lock that won't seat or a dowel that won't sit flush is more often a panel installed backward or a step done out of order than a defective part. Our PAX alignment guide walks through the most common version of this for wardrobes specifically.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a power drill for small IKEA pieces like a side table or a single shelf?
No — a small piece with ten to twenty screws is genuinely fine with the included hex key and a few minutes of hand-turning. The drill becomes worth setting up once you're looking at a wardrobe, bed frame, or media unit with dozens of fasteners.
Why do some IKEA screws feel like they're stripping even when I'm using the right tool?
Cam locks and particleboard screws are made to be turned once, firmly and in the right direction from the start; backing one out and redriving it repeatedly is what actually strips the fitting. Turn slowly, confirm the panel is aligned first, and avoid a drill's highest torque setting on particleboard.
Is it a problem if I lose the included hex key partway through a build?
Not a real problem — any standard hex key set from a hardware store includes the common IKEA sizes, so a lost key just means a quick substitute rather than a stalled build. Keep one spare hex key set in your toolbox once you've assembled more than one or two pieces.
Should I assemble furniture on carpet or hardwood to protect the floor and the piece?
A flat, clean surface matters more than the material — lay down a moving blanket or the flattened cardboard box on either floor type so panels stay scratch-free and perfectly flat while cam locks go in. An uneven surface is a more common cause of a crooked build than the floor material itself.
Is it worth hiring a professional for IKEA assembly instead of buying extra tools?
If you'd rather skip the tool shopping and the trial-and-error entirely, a professional assembler already has the right drill bits, levels, and wall anchors on hand and builds the piece level and anchored the first time. Build a quote on the homepage or message NorthPros at 647-687-4110 for furniture assembly anywhere in Toronto, Hamilton, or across the GTA.