Assembling EMIL Furniture — Step-by-Step Assembly Instructions

July 31, 2026

The assembly of the EMIL furniture range is based on a classic push-fit and screw system using cam and dowel connectors alongside wooden dowels, which can be completed with basic hand tools in roughly one to two hours per unit.

Whether it is a chest of drawers, a sideboard, or a wardrobe – flat-pack furniture made from melamine-coated chipboard generally follows a clear logic. Once you understand the systematic approach, assembly proceeds swiftly. This guide leads you systematically through the assembly process of the EMIL series, from sorting the components to the final alignment of door gaps.

Preparation and checking the package contents

Assembling a piece of furniture is like an analogue jigsaw puzzle – sorting the edges first keeps everything manageable. Unpack the cardboard boxes flat on the floor to prevent damage to the edges. Use the cardboard as a protective underlay during the subsequent build.

Take the printed assembly instructions and cross-check the parts list against the delivered items. Sort all small fittings such as wood screws and furniture screws, dowels, hinges, and shelf supports into small bowls or onto a light-coloured cloth. This prevents tedious searching during assembly. Furthermore, inspect the large panels for transport damage and arrange them in the sequence required according to the manual.

Required tools

You do not require any specialist tools for the EMIL range. A solid basic toolkit is entirely sufficient:

Cross-head screwdriver (size PZ2 or PH2, matched to the screw head)
Cordless screwdriver (with torque adjustment to prevent stripping threads in chipboard)
Rubber mallet or standard hammer using a small wooden block as a buffer
Folding ruler or tape measure
Spirit level
Pencil

Step-by-step assembly guide for EMIL furniture

Proceed methodically through the assembly and do not skip any steps from the diagrams provided. The following sequence corresponds to the standard procedure for carcase furniture of this design.

Step 1: Preparing fittings and dowels

In the first step, the side panels, base, and top panel are prepared for connection. Tap the wooden dowels into the pre-drilled holes using light taps from a rubber mallet. Ensure that the dowels protrude by roughly half their length. Then screw the connecting bolts of the furniture connectors into the designated threaded holes. This typically uses the System 32 standard, where hole drillings are spaced at a 32 mm pitch.

Step 2: Assembling the carcase

Now connect the side panels to the base panel. Guide the wooden dowels and the connecting bolts into the corresponding holes of the mating parts. Insert the circular cam locks into the large boreholes. Ensure that the small arrow on the cam points towards the connecting bolt. Turn the cam clockwise by roughly 180° using a screwdriver until you feel noticeable resistance. The panels are now firmly locked together. Assemble all fixed structural shelves in this manner, finishing with the top panel.

Step 3: Securing the back panel

Carefully turn the carcase over so it lies face down on the floor. Before attaching the back panel made of thin MDF or HDF, the carcase must be squared up. Measure both diagonals across the back using a tape measure. If both measurements are identical (e.g. 145.5 cm each), the cabinet is square. Nail or screw the back panel firmly in place along the marked lines. Space the nails at intervals of approximately 15 cm to 20 cm.

Step 4: Fitting furniture legs

While the cabinet is still lying down, the feet are easiest to fit. Standard feet are usually secured with four small countersunk screws (Ø 3.5 mm or 4 mm) to the marked locations on the underside of the base. If you wish to give your unit an individual look, you can also install alternative models such as furniture legs black from the hardware range. Stand the unit upright with two people after fitting the feet.

Step 5: Installing drawers and doors

Mount the drawer runners. Take note of whether they are partial extension or full extension runners, as this can slightly influence the mounting position. Screw the runners completely level into the prepared rows of holes.

For the doors, screw the cruciform mounting plates to the inside of the carcase. Press the hinge cup (the round part of the hinge, usually with a diameter of 35 mm) into the door recess and screw it tight. With modern clip-on hinges, the door simply clicks into place by pressing the hinge arm onto the mounting plate inside the carcase.

Step 6: Handles and fine adjustments

Attach each furniture handle from the inside of the front using the supplied machine screws (usually M4). If the doors hang crooked or rub against each other after mounting, use the adjustment screws on the hinge arm. You can adjust the door in height, depth (gap to the carcase), and lateral overlay (gap in the centre). Always turn the screws in small increments of roughly half a turn. To make door closure silent, you can retrofit additional door dampers if needed.

Wall mounting and anti-tip protection

Above a certain height, or if the unit features several drawers, wall mounting is mandatory. When several fully loaded drawers are opened simultaneously, the centre of gravity shifts drastically forwards. Use the supplied mounting brackets and select wall plugs and screws suitable for your specific wall type (concrete, brick, plasterboard).

Common pitfalls and assembly tips

Stripped screw holes: Applying excessive force when driving screws can strip the thread in the chipboard. Set the torque clutch on your cordless screwdriver to a low setting (e.g. 3 or 4) and tighten the final turn by hand.
Sticking drawers: Check whether the carcase is completely plumb and level. On uneven floors, the cabinet will rack, compromising the smooth travel of the runners. Insert small shims underneath or use height-adjustable feet to compensate for floor irregularities.
Visual upgrade: If you wish to enhance functionality, you can integrate furniture lighting directly during assembly. Cables can be routed inconspicuously behind the back panel before the cabinet is positioned against the wall.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

How long does it take to assemble EMIL furniture? For a standard chest of drawers from the series, a single person should allow approximately 60 to 90 minutes. Large wardrobes require two people and take roughly two to three hours depending on the internal fittings.

Can I fit different furniture legs under the cabinet? Yes, this is entirely possible as long as their load capacity is sufficient for the piece of furniture. For example, you can fit furniture legs metal square. Ensure that the mounting plate of the new feet does not overhang the edges of the base panel and use screws with a maximum length of 15 mm to avoid piercing through the bottom board.

What does full overlay mean for hinges? A full overlay (also known as standard overlay) means that when closed, the door covers almost the entire front edge of the carcase side panel. This is the standard mounting configuration for most freestanding cabinets in the EMIL range.