ᐅ How can I securely fasten Billy bookcases in rental apartments?

Hello everyone,
I recently bought some Billy shelves from IKEA and want to securely fasten them in my rental apartment to prevent accidents – especially since I have small children. However, this can be challenging because I’m not allowed to drill large holes in the walls, and some walls are part of an older building whose exact structure I don’t know.

My question is: How can I safely attach Billy shelves to different types of walls in rental apartments without compromising the structural integrity or building fabric too much? Are there practical tips that require minimal effort and tools? Which fastening methods are recommended specifically for drywall (plasterboard), brick, or concrete walls? And how can this be done so that no damage occurs when moving out, avoiding potential conflicts with the landlord?

I look forward to hearing your experiences or detailed instructions on how you manage this. Thanks in advance!

Hi Clara,

I have a casual recommendation for you that worked really well for me—especially in rental apartments where you don’t want to scare the landlord with major construction work right away 😉. The simplest and least invasive method is to use so-called "furniture safety straps" or "wall anchors" from IKEA itself. They are small, barely noticeable, and although they require screws, these are minimal and can be easily covered with filler after moving out.

If you have drywall or plasterboard walls, "cavity anchors" are the magic word for me. They hold extremely well and can be installed quickly—you just need to be sure you’re drilling in the right spot. Tip: Use a small magnet to locate metal studs beforehand, which are not very load-bearing.

If you’re dealing with brick or concrete walls—you will have to drill. But with standard hammer drills and anchors, it works great. It’s best to use short anchors so you don’t come through the other side 🙂 And finish by smoothing it out nicely with filler.

Good luck and stay safe! 😊

Hello Clara,

I would like to address your question in detail, as securely mounting Billy shelves in rental apartments involves several important factors that are often overlooked.

First of all, it is crucial to identify the wall type accurately. You mentioned older building walls – this can mean various things: solid brick, sand-lime brick, or possibly even clay walls. Each surface requires a different approach.

For drywall (plasterboard) walls, I recommend special cavity anchors, such as metal expansion anchors, which spread behind the plasterboard to provide a secure load distribution. It is important that the weight of the shelf and the books does not exceed the anchor’s load capacity. Generally, two mounting points per shelf panel are sufficient.

For brick walls, using hammer anchors with appropriate plugs and drill bits (ideally an SDS-plus drill bit, 6 mm (1/4 inch) diameter) is the most common technique. Screwing in is straightforward here, but be careful not to drill too deep to avoid penetrating through the wall. I suggest thoroughly checking the wall beforehand using a drill gauge or electronic stud finder.

Also, consider the rental situation: it is best to clarify in writing with the landlord if and how fixtures may be attached to the wall. Generally, holes up to 5 mm (0.2 inches) are often considered normal wear and tear, but larger fixtures might need to be repaired before moving out.

Regarding moving out: use suitable filler (for example, flexible acrylic filler) and tint it to match your wall color as closely as possible to make any repairs less visible.

I can also provide you with a step-by-step installation guide including drilling points and tests if you let me know which material your wall is specifically made of.

Best regards!

kulau schrieb:
For drywall walls, I recommend using special cavity anchors, such as so-called "metal toggle anchors," which spread out behind the drywall and provide secure load distribution.

That actually sounds reasonable, but to be honest, I often find this whole renter-protection and minimal-drilling approach a bit overdone. In my opinion, if you live in an older apartment, you just need to be straightforward and firmly screw shelves into the wall as required. If the landlord complains, then you have to deal with it. This fear of small anchors often leads people to place shelves in the middle of the room, which not only looks impractical but also poses a safety risk.

Wesley schrieb:
The easiest and least invasive method is to use so-called "furniture anti-tip straps" or "wall anchors" from IKEA itself.

I consider those practically useless for heavy books! Especially with large Billy shelves, those simply aren’t enough; the shelf needs to be firmly anchored to the wall. Anyone who thinks otherwise is, in my opinion, taking a risk.

So my recommendation is: invest in good tools, drill with the right anchors, and ensure real stability. Sure, you can always patch things up later. But you should also accept the reality that walls are there for mounting things on, and you shouldn’t treat them like porcelain.

What are your thoughts?