ᐅ Which anchors and screws are best for securely mounting Ikea Besta units on a wall?

Hello everyone, I am currently planning to mount an Ikea Besta shelf unit on a wall and want to make sure the fixing is as stable and secure as possible. Since walls can vary greatly – for example, concrete, brick, drywall – I’m wondering: which type of wall plug and screws are best suited for securely mounting an Ikea Besta? It is especially important to me that the shelf does not wobble or come loose even under heavy load. Does anyone have experience or recommendations regarding materials, sizes, and accessories that should definitely be considered? Advice on screw length or any special mounting aids needed would also be very helpful. Thanks in advance!

Basically, the choice of anchors and screws depends heavily on the wall material. For solid walls, such as concrete or solid brick, I recommend heavy-duty anchors made of nylon or metal combined with galvanized particle board screws with a minimum diameter of 6 mm (0.24 inches). The screw length should be at least 6 cm (2.4 inches) to provide sufficient holding area. For drywall (gypsum board) walls, specialized cavity anchors (such as molly bolts or metal toggle anchors) are preferable, as simple plastic anchors provide little support. Important: Wall mounting is always strongly recommended for Ikea Besta, so investing in high-quality fastening materials is worthwhile. The screws and anchors must also match the mounting holes on the Besta product, which are usually 4 mm (0.16 inches) in diameter. A manufacturer’s installation guide is also available for reference.

For concrete: 8mm (5/16 inch) plastic or metal anchors plus 6mm (1/4 inch) screws, 60mm (2 3/8 inches) long. For drywall: hollow metal molly bolts, at least 50mm (2 inches) long. Use screws that fit the Besta holes.

To cover the topic in detail, here is a brief guide on selecting the correct anchors and screws for Ikea Besta on different wall types:

- Concrete or solid brick wall:
- Anchors: nylon heavy-duty anchors (e.g., Fischer UX or Sormat SX8 or similar)
- Screws: zinc-plated particleboard screws, 6x60 mm (¼ x 2⅜ inches)
- Drill hole at least 8 mm (⅓ inch)

- Hollow brick or perforated brick:
- Anchors: expansion anchors with larger expansion volume or metal expansion anchors
- Screws as above

- Drywall (plasterboard):
- Anchors: metal toggle anchors (Molly bolts) or special drywall anchors; no plain plastic anchors!
- Screws: matched to anchor length, usually 50 mm (2 inches)

Important: Before drilling, perform thorough socket and cable detection. Screws must not be too long to avoid damaging electrical wiring or the inside of the cabinet. For walls with thick plaster, select appropriately sized screws; washers with spring rings help prevent lateral pull-out.

Summary: Always identify the wall type precisely, choose suitable anchors, and pay attention to adequate screw length—this ensures the stability of the installation.

Great topic! 💪 I mounted my Besta shelf on a drywall and can highly recommend using molly bolts! They hold extremely well, even when installing several heavy-duty shelves. Just drill pilot holes, insert the anchors, screw in – the shelf is very secure. Make sure to use the correct screw length, so they aren't too short. I’d suggest choosing slightly longer screws, as that really makes a difference! Good luck with your build 😊

Davidleo schrieb:
I mounted my Besta shelf on a drywall and can definitely recommend wall anchors!

Interesting, but it should be considered that the load capacity of wall anchors is limited to a few kilograms per anchor. When attaching really heavy items, additional reinforcements or fixings are often necessary. In some cases, mounting on a supporting batten or mounting rail is advisable to better distribute the load. Relying solely on anchors for fastening can lead to problems over time, especially with thin drywall. Does anyone have experience with this?