‘One word. TaskRabbit’: Woman finally finds couch she likes at IKEA. Then she sees how many boxes it comes in—and what the instructions look like
A woman decides to order an IKEA couch, confident that she can assemble it herself. Then she sees the instructions and can’t believe the effort it takes to put it together.
In a video with over 52,000 views, TikToker and solo travel blogger The Destination Damsel (@thedestinationdamsel) says she was tired of searching for a couch when she came across the Kivik from IKEA.
“I looked about 20 different places and I either didn’t like it or it didn’t fit or they couldn’t get it for nine months,” she says. “I went to IKEA and found one I really liked. Then it showed up today.”
She pans the camera around to show around 10 large cardboard boxes containing the various pieces of her couch.
“What have I gotten myself into?” she wonders. “Here goes nothing.”
However, as she opens up the boxes, she notices something strange about the instructions.
Why don’t IKEA instructions have words?
She opens up the large paper pamphlet, showing small graphics of a person putting together the couch. IKEA intentionally forgoes words on its instructions to make them more accessible for global customers, without needing to provide multiple translations.
“IKEA, I got a serious question. How much do y’all save every year by not putting words in your instruction manual?” she asks. The TikToker points to a crossed-out image of a single person standing by the boxes, questioning if that means she’s not supposed to assemble the couch alone.
She checks in an hour into the assembly process, sharing that she had only managed to put together one corner of the couch. She references the wordless instructions again, trying to make sense of what she’s supposed to do.
“You know what it didn’t tell me in pictograms? That you have to put the cover on the arm before you attach the arm,” she laments. “Again, words. They’re very helpful.
At the end of the clip, she reveals that it took her “hours” to finish putting the couch together. She slumps onto the new furniture in celebration.
What do IKEA customers think of the wordless manuals?
IKEA customers frequent the brand’s subreddit, r/IKEA, to rant about the wordless manuals mid-assembly. While the furniture brand is infamous for its picture-only manuals, some suggest it’s time for a change.
“IKEA has managed to make me a customer never again of any appliance. I’ll pay a few hundred more from big box outfits just for the benefit of documentation which includes detailed written instructions,” one posts.
In an email to The Mary Sue, the TikToker suggests a few ways IKEA could make the instructions easier to follow.
“Even a video that you could access on their website without words could be helpful,” she suggests. “I also think- if they are sticking with the pictures- having a photo of screws with a letters. Which corresponds to a letter on the boxes- big help. I was hunting for parts for a minute!”
However, commenters on the TikToker’s video suggest that the IKEA couch is worth the hassle.
“I bought mine 10 years ago and still love it. But I remember putting it together. It’s sturdy af,” a commenter says.
Another says, “We had that sectional (or one very similar). I don’t know how you did it yourself. Took me and my husband to put it together. He refused to pay for task rabbit.”
“My ikea couch lasted me 18 years. Changed the coverslips a few times but it lasted thru 3 moves,” a third adds.
@thedestinationdamsel If I can travel the world by myself, surely I can put an @IKEA sectional together… right? #singleproblems #ikea #thisis40 ♬ original sound – thedestinationdamsel
The Mary Sue reached out to the Destination Damsel via email and TikTok direct message and to IKEA via email for further comment.
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