ᐅ Which screws are suitable for mounting Ikea BESTA units on drywall (also known as plasterboard or gypsum board)?

Hello everyone,

I am planning to mount an Ikea Besta shelf unit on a drywall (gypsum board) wall and am uncertain about which screws and fasteners are truly suitable for this.

The wall consists of standard gypsum plasterboard without additional reinforcement, and the shelf needs to support both light and medium loads – it should be able to hold some books and decorative items.

I understand that regular wood screws should not be screwed directly into the drywall, but there are various types of anchors and corresponding screws. I have already considered special cavity anchors or metal anchors.

My question to the community:
Which screws – including diameter and length – together with which types of anchors are specifically recommended for a secure and stable installation of an Ikea Besta shelf on a plain drywall wall without extra reinforcement?

Comments on load capacity and tips for avoiding damage when screwing in are also very welcome.

Thank you in advance!

For installing an Ikea BESTA shelf on a drywall without additional reinforcement, I recommend using hollow wall anchors (also called toggle bolts) along with screws that fit the anchors.

Commonly, anchors with a diameter of 8 mm (5/16 inch) and corresponding screws about 4.5 to 5 mm (3/16 to 3/16 inch) in diameter and 50 to 60 mm (2 to 2 1/4 inches) in length are used.

Important:
- The screws should preferably be self-tapping to create a secure thread inside the anchor.
- Load capacity highly depends on correct installation and the proper size of the anchor.
- It is best to place the anchors so they are not too close to the edges or joints of the drywall.

Additionally, for heavier loads, I recommend securing the shelf directly into the wall studs – if possible.

tyson51 schrieb:
For installing an Ikea BESTA shelf on a drywall without additional reinforcement, I recommend using cavity anchors (also called toggle bolts) together with screws that fit the anchors.

This is a good starting point. To delve deeper into the question, you should also be aware of the specific drywall board thickness (usually between 12.5 and 15 mm (0.5 and 0.6 inches)).

For example, if you have 12.5 mm (0.5 inches) thick boards, cavity anchors with an insertion depth of 30–40 mm (1.2–1.6 inches) inside the wall are recommended. A common type is the metal toggle bolt – when installed correctly, it can hold more than 30 kg (66 lbs) per anchor (note: this depends on the drywall quality and position).

Regarding the screws:
- Length: at least 10–15 mm (0.4–0.6 inches) longer than the anchor to ensure a secure hold.
- Diameter: 4.5 mm (0.18 inches) is ideal. Alternatively, 5 mm (0.2 inches) if the anchors allow it.
- Material: zinc-coated or stainless steel, depending on the environment.

It is important to follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions for the anchors and to set the anchors using a suitable drill (not too fast) to ensure full expansion.

Furthermore, I recommend distributing the load evenly and using multiple anchors per shelf board.

Have you already checked whether there are wooden or metal studs behind the drywall? Direct screwing into those would be even more stable.

If the shelf will be heavily loaded, a so-called wall rail as additional reinforcement could be interesting, onto which the BESTA can then be mounted.

Dilen schrieb:
Have you already checked if there are wooden or metal studs behind the drywall, for example? Directly screwing into them would be more stable.

Exactly, find the studs and fasten with 5x60 mm (5/16 x 2 3/8 inch) screws. If that’s not possible, use toggle bolts with an 8 mm (5/16 inch) diameter and 4.5x50 mm (3/16 x 2 inch) screws.

drafalk schrieb:
Notes on load capacity and tips to avoid damage when inserting screws are also very welcome.

I think it’s great that you’re paying attention to load capacity – this is often underestimated in many furniture assemblies.

To avoid damaging the drywall, I always recommend using the correct drill bit size for the anchor hole and not applying excessive force.

Additionally:
- Pre-drilling before screwing can prevent the board from cracking.
- Use snap-in or flexible anchors for added security under peak loads.

I personally mounted my BESTA shelf with these toggle anchors, regularly supporting up to 15 kg (33 lbs) per compartment. It’s important not to concentrate the load in just one spot at the top, but to distribute it well and, if needed, place anchors on both the right and left sides.

And if possible, consider using smaller shelf units if the wall is very thin or old – this helps distribute forces and weight more evenly.

I hope this gives you another perspective based on practical experience.