Assembling the NOAH Chest of Drawers — Assembly Instructions

January 13, 2026

Assembling a chest of drawers properly requires exact alignment of the carcase and precise installation of the drawer runners to ensure smooth gliding of the drawers.

The NOAH series is characterised by a systematic, modular design. Regardless of whether it is a slim version for the hallway with a depth of 30 cm to 35 cm or a large bedroom chest of drawers – the basic assembly principle remains identical. The components generally consist of foiled chipboard or coated MDF, which creates a sturdy construction provided the connecting elements are fitted correctly.

This guide leads you step by step through the assembly process, from sorting the hardware to the final wall fixing.

Required Tools and Preparation

A smooth assembly starts with proper preparation of the workspace. Assembling directly on a bare floor quickly leads to scratches on the finish. Lay the empty cardboard packaging flat on the floor to act as a soft protective mat for the wooden parts.

Have the following tools ready:

Cross-head screwdriver (sizes PZ2 and PH2)
Wooden mallet or rubber mallet
Spirit level
Tape measure or folding rule
Cordless screwdriver (use exclusively with very low torque)

Before the first step, sort all screws, wooden dowels, and hinges into small bowls. Separate the cam connector bolts from the round cam lock housings. Check against the included parts list to ensure all components for your specific model – such as a white chest of drawers or a wooden chest of drawers – have been fully supplied.

Step 1: Preparing the Side Panels

Assembly always begins with the two large side panels. Place them in front of you with the inner face pointing upwards. You can recognise the inner faces by the pre-drilled hole patterns in the System 32 grid.

Tap the wooden dowels into the designated end holes, which are usually 8 mm. Use the rubber mallet with light taps.
Screw the metal bolts of the cam connectors into the 5 mm drill holes. Tighten them only until the thread has fully disappeared into the wood. Overtightening damages the chipboard.

Step 2: Installing the Drawer Runners

It is significantly easier to fit the runners to the side panels before assembling the carcase. Depending on the NOAH model, different types of runners are used.

With ball bearing runners, you often need to release and pull out the inner part of the runner by pressing a small plastic lever. The wide outer section is screwed to the side panel.
With roller runners, the runner is fixed to the side panel with the roller facing forward (towards the room) and pointing downwards.

Use the included flat Euro screws to secure the runners. These fit precisely into the 5 mm pre-drilled holes in the side panels. Ensure that all runners are positioned perfectly horizontally and are tightened securely.

Step 3: Assembling the Carcase

Now, connect the prepared side panels with the base, the top, and any cross rails.

Push the base and upper cross connectors onto the wooden dowels and cam bolts of the first side panel.
Insert the round cam lock housings of the cam connectors into the large holes of the cross components. The small arrow on the housing must point towards the bolt.
Turn the housing approximately 180° clockwise using a screwdriver until you feel distinct resistance. The components will pull together seamlessly.
Position the second side panel and lock all connectors here as well.

Step 4: Nailing the Back Panel and Aligning the Carcase

The back panel is not merely a visual finish; it is the most critical component for the structural stability of the chest of drawers. Without it, the furniture unit would buckle under lateral loads.

Before driving the first nail, the carcase must be squared up. Measure diagonally with the tape measure from the top-left to the bottom-right corner, and then from the top-right to the bottom-left corner. If both measurements are identical down to the millimetre, the chest of drawers is perfectly square.

Now nail the back panel in place. The spacing between the nails should be approximately 10 cm to 15 cm. Start at one corner, work your way along an edge, and check the diagonal measurement again in between.

Step 5: Assembling the Drawers

Assembling the drawer boxes requires some patience on models such as an 8-drawer chest or a 4-drawer chest, but it follows a simple pattern.

Join the drawer sides to the drawer back panel. Simple wood screws are often used here.
Slide the drawer base into the grooved slot of the side panels.
Attach the front panel to the side panels using the cam connectors.
Screw the corresponding part of the drawer runner to the lower outer edges of the drawer box.

Step 6: Wall Fixing (Anti-Tip Safety)

A fully assembled chest of drawers, especially if it is narrow (e.g. a 60 cm wide chest of drawers), tends to tilt forward as soon as multiple loaded drawers are opened at the same time. Fitting the anti-tip bracket is therefore an essential safety step.

Drill a hole into the wall and insert a suitable wall plug for your wall type (concrete, brick, plasterboard). Fasten the supplied metal angle bracket to the wall and to the solid top panel or the upper cross rail of the chest of drawers.

Step 7: Inserting the Drawers and Adjusting Fronts

Insert the drawers into the carcase from the bottom upwards.

Guide the runners on both sides precisely into one another.
Push the drawer back with gentle pressure until it stops. With ball bearing runners, the mechanism engages with a subtle click.

Check the gap alignment. If the spacing between the drawer fronts is uneven, this is usually caused by an uneven floor. Align the unit using a spirit level by sliding small wedges under the furniture feet until the furniture piece stands completely level.

Tips & Common Pitfalls

Screw heads stripping or snapping: This happens when the cordless screwdriver is set to drill mode. Use a low torque setting (e.g. setting 3 or 4) or tighten the hardware screws by hand.
Drawers sticking in the lower area: Check whether the back panel sits flush in the groove or if a nail was driven in crookedly and is now pressing against the lowest drawer.
Pay attention to different grain patterns: On models like the Sonoma oak 4-drawer chest, the edges often have a subtle grain direction. When assembling the drawer fronts, ensure that the pattern runs consistently.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How long does it take to assemble the chest of drawers? For a standard chest of drawers with four to six drawers, a skilled DIYer should allow around 1.5 to 2 hours. For larger models or versions with more drawers, the time increases accordingly. A second person speeds up the carcase assembly significantly.

Can I use screws instead of nails for the back panel? Yes. If you prefer to screw the back panel, use short chipboard screws (e.g. 3 x 15 mm). Screwing provides higher stability than nailing and makes later disassembly easier when moving house.

Why do the drawers not close flush with the carcase? This is almost always a sign that the carcase is not square. Check whether the floor is level. If the unit is twisted, slightly loosen the nails on the back panel, re-align the carcase using diagonal measurements, and fasten the back panel again.

May I use wood glue for the dowels? On modern flat-pack furniture, glue is not strictly necessary for the wooden dowels, as the cam connectors take up the tensile forces. However, a drop of wood glue in the dowel holes noticeably increases the long-term rigidity of the furniture.