ᐅ How secure are Ikea Brimnes wardrobes when mounted to the wall?

Created on: 5 Apr 2021 08:43
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ruhau0
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ruhau0
5 Apr 2021 08:43
Hello everyone,

I am planning to buy an IKEA Brimnes wardrobe and have an important safety question that hasn’t been fully answered yet: How secure are the Brimnes wardrobes in terms of stability and sturdiness when mounted to the wall?

I have read from various users that wall mounting is essential for IKEA furniture to prevent tipping. Since I live in a household with small children, I really want to make sure the wardrobe cannot fall over, even if pulled on or possibly climbed.

I am particularly interested in:
- Are the included wall mounting fittings for the Brimnes of sufficient quality, or is it better to use your own anchors and screws?
- How well does the furniture hold up in everyday use when properly assembled and mounted to a typical interior wall (plastered drywall or brick wall)?
- Are there any visible weak points I should be aware of and take precautions against?

I look forward to your experiences and insights! Thanks in advance.
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Meoru
5 Apr 2021 09:12
The included fasteners are usually sufficient when screwed into a load-bearing wall. For hollow spaces within the wall, it is better to use special hollow wall anchors.

It is important to use all the fastening points and not just individual screws. For homes with children, additional securing is recommended.
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Lisele
5 Apr 2021 09:56
I completely understand your concerns. We also had the Brimnes standing in the kids’ room for a while, and at first, I wasn’t sure if the wall mounting would hold securely. It helped to carefully follow the instructions when attaching everything and to avoid overloading the cabinets afterwards.

Using sturdy heavy-duty wall anchors from the hardware store gave me extra peace of mind. This way, you can feel more secure, especially when the little ones want to play on or climb the furniture.

A bit of patience during installation really pays off.
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koneo
5 Apr 2021 10:24
The question is very valid and important, especially in a household with children.

To assess the stability of the Brimnes wardrobe when attached to a wall, here are some tips and advice:

- IKEA always provides wall mounting brackets with the Brimnes wardrobe, which are adequately sized for solid walls (brick, concrete, wood).
- Special caution is needed with drywall (plasterboard) walls. Always use appropriate anchors that are rated for the weight. Hollow wall anchors or metal toggle bolts offer greater security.
- The attachment must be made correctly at at least two points, sometimes more for larger wardrobes.
- It is important to check the wall beforehand: Are the screw points load-bearing? This can be critical in older buildings.
- The Brimnes construction is generally stable but not solid like hardwood; therefore, wall mounting is essential.

I always recommend using a combination of IKEA mounting hardware and additional robust anchors from the hardware store that suit the wall type.

In conclusion: if everything is done properly, the wardrobes are secure against tipping over.
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taudi
5 Apr 2021 12:05
Hi,

I’m happy to provide a more detailed explanation about wall mounting IKEA Brimnes cabinets:

1. Cabinet material:
The Brimnes cabinet is made of particleboard with a melamine coating, and the sides and back panels are not very thick. Because of this, wall mounting is essential, as the cabinet’s stability alone is not enough to prevent tipping, especially under uneven load or with children around.

2. Included mounting materials:
IKEA usually provides universal wall brackets along with small screws and dowels (for concrete or brick walls). These are suitable for standard situations.

3. Important tips for secure installation:
- For drywall or hollow walls, do not use standard plastic anchors; use metal hollow wall anchors or toggle bolts with high load capacity instead.
- Choose drill bits appropriate for the wall material (e.g., masonry bit for brick).
- Screws should engage deeply enough in both the wall and cabinet to ensure a strong connection.
- Use all provided mounting points, not just one or two screws, as this reduces tipping stability.

4. Common mistakes:
- Attaching in only one location or using weak anchors increases tipping risk.
- Overloading the cabinet puts extra strain on the mounting.

5. Summary:
Proper wall mounting greatly reduces the risk of tipping and can be considered safe if done correctly. The key is using the right type of anchors combined with correct installation.

If you like, I can send you a checklist covering all these points.
R
ruhau0
5 Apr 2021 14:17
koneo schrieb:

- The fastening must be correctly done at at least two points, sometimes more for larger cabinets.

Thanks, that helps! Is there a general guideline on how many fastening points should be used for a two-door Brimnes cabinet? I’m concerned that with only two points the load might not be distributed adequately.
taudi schrieb:

- Use all supplied fastening points, not just one or two screws, as tipping stability will otherwise be compromised.

I’ll do that, but I’m also wondering if the provided wall plugs are strong enough for a standard brick wall, or if it would be safer to use heavy-duty wall anchors?

Any further advice is appreciated!