Refix the back panel of a wardrobe

Take off the loose back panel, check the frame, then nail or screw it back on squarely.

WP-01Clear the wardrobe and lay out your toolsTake everything out of the wardrobe and move it away from the wall if you can, so you can get to the back easily. Lay a dust sheet or old towel on the floor to protect it. Get your hammer, screwdriver, pliers and a torch ready.

1 each · Dust sheet or old towel

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WP-02Check why the panel came looseLook at the back panel and the wardrobe frame. If the panel is hardboard or thin plywood, check it hasn't split or warped. Check the little holes in the frame where the old nails or screws were — if they look chewed up or too big, the old fixing has pulled through and you'll need a slightly bigger fixing or some wood glue to firm the hole up first.

1 each · Wood glue (small bottle)

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WP-03Pull any bent or damaged fixingsUse pliers to pull out any bent panel pins, snapped screws or old staples still stuck in the frame. Don't try to reuse a bent nail — it won't sit flat and will split the panel. Keep the old fixings to one side so you know how many you need to replace.

1 each · Pliers

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WP-04Line the panel up square with the frameRest the back panel against the frame and check all four edges sit flush, with no overhang on any side. If the wardrobe has slipped slightly out of square, gently push it back into a rectangle before you fix the panel — the panel itself will help hold it square once it's fixed, so getting this right first matters.

WP-05Refix the panel to the frameStarting at one corner, tap in panel pins or drive small screws every 100-150mm around the edge of the panel into the solid wood frame behind it, not into thin air. Use panel pins for hardboard backs and small woodscrews if the panel has pre-drilled screw holes. Work along one edge at a time rather than jumping around, so the panel stays flat and doesn't bow.

30 each · Panel pins, 20mm

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20 each · Woodscrews, 4x16mm

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1 each · Hammer

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1 each · Screwdriver

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WP-06Check the wardrobe stands firm and squareStand the wardrobe upright and gently rock it from the top corners. It should feel solid with no wobble or diagonal give. If it still racks, add two or three more fixings along the loosest edge before moving on.

WP-07Tidy up and put the wardrobe backSweep or vacuum up any sawdust, old pins and debris from the floor. Move the wardrobe back into position and reload your clothes and shelves.

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