ᐅ How can I safely install Ikea PAX wardrobes on a tiled floor?

Hello everyone,

I am planning to assemble an Ikea PAX wardrobe on my tiled floor but have concerns about stability and safety. Tiles are known to be quite slippery, and I want to avoid the cabinet shifting or even tipping over once it is fully loaded.

My question is: How can I securely install an Ikea PAX on a tiled floor while minimizing the risk of instability or damage to the floor tiles?

I am thinking about the type of mounting, suitable materials to isolate between the PAX feet and the tiles, which kind of anchors or brackets to use, and whether there are any special recommendations for use on tiled floors. Tips on how to best compensate for unevenness in tiled flooring are also welcome.

Looking forward to your experiences and advice!

bau_man2 schrieb:
How can I securely install an Ikea PAX wardrobe on a tiled floor while minimizing the risk of instability or damage to the floor tiles?

The best way is to anchor it to the wall using appropriate heavy-duty wall plugs. Place felt pads or rubber feet between the wardrobe legs and the tiles to prevent scratches. This ensures the wardrobe stands securely while protecting the floor.

bau_man2 schrieb:
How can I securely install an Ikea PAX on a tiled floor while minimizing the risk of instability or damage to the floor tiles?

To address this topic more thoroughly: First of all, it’s important to say that tiled floors can indeed be challenging because they are smooth and may have slight unevenness or raised grout lines. This can cause the PAX to wobble if the wardrobe is not properly aligned.

My recommended approach:

- First, always secure the back panel of the PAX to the wall using appropriate anchors designed specifically for tiled walls (not regular plastic wall plugs, but rather masonry anchors suitable for tiles to avoid cracking the tiles).

- Before installation, carefully plan the wardrobe’s position and ensure that all wall fixings are anchored into solid masonry or drywalls with studs.

- I recommend placing rubber pads between the PAX’s feet and the floor. These protect the tiles from scratches and also provide some slip resistance. Silicone pads or self-adhesive rubber bumpers work very well.

- If the floor is uneven, slight adjustments can be made with plastic shims available in various thicknesses. These help distribute the load evenly.

- It is also important to adjust the PAX’s feet so that the wardrobe stands completely vertically to prevent tipping.

Are you planning to fill the wardrobe with heavy items? This can affect how strong the wall fixings and floor contact points need to be.

Do you have any specific tile types, for example natural stone tiles, that are sensitive or particularly smooth? This could be relevant when choosing the type of padding.

kibutar schrieb:
I recommend using rubber pads between the feet of the PAX and the floor, which not only protect against scratches but also provide some slip resistance.

I completely agree. Additionally, if you don’t want or can’t drill into the wall, it’s a good idea to use a spirit level to align the PAX very precisely and adjust the feet finely to eliminate any play.

If your tile floor is particularly smooth, using double-sided carpet tape under the feet could be an alternative to reduce the risk of slipping. This is not as permanent as screwing the unit in place but can be a practical solution in rental apartments.

It is important to check the cabinet regularly and readjust if necessary.

LOSAR schrieb:
It's best to fasten them to the wall using appropriate heavy-duty anchors.

That is basically correct, but I think it needs to be differentiated: The type of wall and tile covering play a decisive role. For example, in drywall partitions behind tiles, there is usually not enough load-bearing capacity, which rules out the use of heavy-duty anchors.

Furthermore, there is the question of whether drilling might damage the tile glazing and if that could later lead to cracks.

What is also almost always overlooked: Securing freestanding furniture alone usually does not provide sufficient stability against tipping for a tall, narrow PAX wardrobe. Therefore, wall mounting is crucial, even if it is done using gentler methods, such as edge protector profiles or clamp mounts.

Do you have any experience with alternative mounting methods that avoid drilling, to prevent damaging the tiles? I often view the edges of my tiles critically in this regard.