IKEA LACK Table Assembly: Why It Wobbles and How to Stop It

The LACK Table Wobble

The IKEA LACK side table is 4 legs, a frame, and a top — and it wobbles. The wobble isn't a defect; it's a consequence of how the table is built. Here's how to assemble it so it stays flat.

The Legs Aren't Equal

The LACK legs are a hollow cardboard honeycomb with a wood insert at the very bottom. The screw at the top of the leg bites into the top panel. If the four legs aren't screwed in to the same depth, the table rocks.

Screw Each Leg Fully

Drive each leg bolt in until the leg shoulder sits flush against the top. A leg that's a quarter-turn short sits 1/16 inch high — enough to wobble.

The Frame Matters

The LACK table has a small frame that connects the legs. Assemble the frame first, then attach the top. Building top-first then adding the frame racks the whole table.

The Floor, Not the Table

If the table wobbles after correct assembly, the floor is the cause. A LACK on an uneven NYC floor needs a shim under one leg — a small furniture shim or a felt pad stops the rock.

Don't Load It

The LACK holds ~25 lbs. It's a side table, not a stool or a step. A cracked LACK top is always from someone standing on it.

Book a LACK (or any table) assembly in NYC.