IKEA & Bunnings Runs: The Perfect Van Size for Flat-Pack Transport

What Size Van for IKEA & Bunnings Furniture? The Ultimate Australian Guide

Estimated reading time: 12 minutes

• Measure packaging dimensions before you leave home—use the flat-pack/packaging sizes, not assembled sizes.
• Focus on three van measurements: load length, internal height, and the width between wheel arches (critical for wide, flat items).
• Most popular IKEA items (BILLY, MALM, PAX) fit best in a medium van with 2.1m+ load length.
• For 2.4m–3.6m timber and similar, you’ll need a long-wheelbase van; check legal overhang limits.
• To carry 2400 x 1200 mm sheets flat, the van’s width between arches must exceed 1200 mm.
• Pack heavy items low and central, and tie everything down using proper anchor points.

Why Planning Your Transport from IKEA & Bunnings Matters

Avoiding the Will It Fit? Moment

The best way to solve a problem is to prevent it. A few minutes of planning can save hours in a store car park. Before you leave home, check item dimensions on the retailer’s website. Crucially, look for the packaging or flat-pack measurements, as these are the real numbers you’ll be dealing with.

Knowing these figures is the most critical step in choosing the right vehicle. It also helps you decide whether a single trip will do or if you should plan for a larger van to avoid multiple runs.

Protecting Your New Purchase (And Your Car)

Forcing a two-metre box into a hatchback risks scuffing your interior, cracking trim, and damaging your purchase. Corners get dented, packaging tears, and panels break before you even start building. A properly sized van gives you the space to transport items safely and securely.

With the right vehicle, you’ll load without stress, protect your investment, and avoid expensive, avoidable damage to your car.

Saving Time and Money

Store delivery can be pricey and slow. Hiring a van for a few hours is often a cost-effective alternative that puts you in control. Instead of multiple risky car trips or waiting on delivery windows, a single, well-planned hire gets the job done on your schedule.

Understanding Van Sizes: The Dimensions That Actually Matter

What Really Matters for Bulky Items

• Load Length: The maximum length you can fit along the floor. This is vital for long flat-pack boxes like wardrobes (e.g., PAX) and bookcases (e.g., BILLY).
• Internal Height: Important for tall boxes that must stand upright or bulky items like assembled furniture and BBQs.
• Width Between Wheel Arches: The wheel wells create a bottleneck on the floor. This often-overlooked measurement decides if wide items like mattresses or 1200 mm sheets can lay flat.

Matching Van Models to Your Needs

Vans come in a few key sizes. A small van (e.g., Renault Kangoo) suits compact furniture or multiple boxes. A medium or large van (e.g., Renault Master) offers the load length and height to handle most big-box purchases from Australian superstores.

Match the van to your largest single package. If one box is 2.4 m long, your van’s load length must exceed that, regardless of how small the rest of the order is.

What Size Van for IKEA Furniture? The Definitive Match-Up Guide

The IKEA Flat-Pack Challenge: Common Items & Box Sizes

Even a “small” piece of furniture can come in a box over two metres long. If your purchase has multiple packages (e.g., bed frames or wardrobe systems), always find the dimensions of the largest single box. That is the measurement that will make or break your trip.

Pro Tip: Packaging dimensions can change. Verify the size on the IKEA website on the day of your trip to be 100% sure.

IKEA Product to Van Size Matching Table

Use this quick-reference table to match popular IKEA products to the right van size.

Sofas and Other Awkward Items

Non-flat-pack items like sofas and armchairs require both floor space and internal height, plus a large rear opening to load without damage. Measure height, width, and depth, and consider protective blankets to prevent scuffs.

Tackling the Bunnings Run: From Timber to Outdoor Settings

Long Items: Timber, Piping, and Guttering

Timber commonly comes in 2.4 m, 3.6 m, and 5.4 m lengths. For anything longer than 2.5 m, a long-wheelbase van is essential to transport legally and safely. Overhang rules in Australia are strict—choose the correct vehicle rather than risk fines or unsafe loads.

Sheet Goods: Plywood, Gyprock, and Doors

Standard sheets are 2400 x 1200 mm. While the 2.4 m length fits most medium-to-large vans, the 1200 mm width is the trap. The width between wheel arches must exceed 1200 mm to lay sheets flat—the safest way to carry them.

Bulky & Awkward Items: BBQs, Wheelbarrows, and Furniture Sets

Assembled items cannot always be laid flat or disassembled. A medium or large van provides the internal height and walk-in space to load safely, reduce lifting strain, and avoid damage.

Pro Loading Tips: How to Pack Your Van Safely and Efficiently

Solving the Wheel Arch Puzzle

• Slide first: Load the widest, flattest items first and slide them so they rest on the floor between the arches.
• Build up: Use the space on top of the wheel arches for smaller boxes or bags, stacked securely.

Weight Distribution and Securing Your Load

• Heavy first: Place heaviest items low and close to the van’s centre (between the axles) to improve handling and braking.
• Tie it down: Always secure loads to the van’s tie-down points with ratchet straps or rope. A sudden stop can turn a loose BBQ into a projectile.

Your Van Hire Checklist

• Moving blankets or old towels
• Ratchet straps or strong rope
• Work gloves
• A friend for heavy lifting
• A tape measure (just in case)

The Easiest Way to Hire the Right Van in Australia

Why Go With The Gecko is Built for Shopping Runs

• A fleet for every haul: From armchairs to full PAX systems, choose the right van size for the job.
• Convenient pod locations: Vehicles are parked near major retail hubs across Australia.
• Flexible hourly & daily rates: Perfect for quick trips—only pay for what you need.
• Simple online booking: Book on your phone in minutes. No queues, no paperwork.

Book Your Van in 3 Simple Steps

1. Choose: Select the right size van or ute for your items.
2. Book: Pick your location and time window.
3. Collect: Unlock with your phone and get moving.

Conclusion

A successful IKEA or Bunnings haul doesn’t have to end in car park Tetris. Check packaging dimensions, pick the right van size, and load smart. You’ll protect your new items, avoid damage to your car, and save both time and money.

Ready to conquer your next DIY project haul? View our range of vans, check their dimensions, and book the perfect vehicle today.

FAQ

Can a BILLY bookcase fit in an SUV?

It’s unlikely. The standard BILLY box is over 2 m long. Some large 7-seater SUVs might squeeze it in with seats folded and the front seat pushed forward, but it’s a tight fit that risks damage. A van is safer and far easier.

What size van do I need for a queen mattress?

A queen is about 203 cm x 153 cm. You’ll need a medium-to-large van. Check the width between wheel arches—if it’s under 153 cm, you can’t lay it flat, so ensure there’s enough height to stand it on its side and strap it securely.

Is it cheaper to hire a van or pay for delivery?

For typical furniture loads, a few hours of van hire is often cheaper than store delivery. You’ll also get immediacy and control over timing, avoiding multi-day delivery windows.

How can I hire a van for just a few hours?

Look for services that offer hourly rates. They’re designed for quick shopping runs, letting you pay only for the time you need.