ᐅ Which screws or wall plugs are best suited for mounting IKEA Besta units?

Hello everyone, I am currently planning the wall mounting for my new IKEA Besta shelving unit and want to make sure I use the optimal screws and wall anchors. My wall is partly concrete and partly drywall, so I need to consider different types of surfaces. My question is: Which screws and anchors are best suited for mounting the IKEA Besta to ensure stability on both types of walls? I am especially interested in recommendations regarding screw size, anchor type, and maximum load capacity to make sure the shelf remains secure even when fully loaded. Additionally, it would be helpful to know if there are any specific precautions or installation tips that can improve the hold or prevent damage to the wall.

For concrete walls, I recommend heavy-duty anchors with matching construction screws, for example, 8 mm anchors with 6 mm screws. For drywall, cavity anchors or metal anchors are the best choice. Make sure the anchor fits the screw and can support the weight of the shelf.

I completely understand that fastening can be a bit nerve-wracking, especially when dealing with different wall types. I felt the same way with my Besta. At the time, I focused on using high-quality anchors and screws to securely fasten the shelf. It might also help to do a test with one screw before fully installing everything. This way, you can be sure that everything will hold without damaging the wall too much.

Here is a brief overview that might help you with your choice:

- Concrete wall: It is best to use nylon or expansion anchors, Ø 8 mm (0.3 inches), along with screws of 6 mm (0.24 inches) diameter and about 50 mm (2 inches) in length to ensure sufficient hold.
- Drywall: Metal cavity anchors or spring toggle anchors work very well here, as they expand behind the wall and are load-bearing.

It is important to keep the shelf load in mind – for heavier items, it makes sense to insert the screws deeper into the concrete or use additional wall anchors.

A common mistake is using anchors or screws that are too small, which can quickly cause the fixing to fail. It is best to plan with a safety factor and carefully check the drill hole size when installing.

Oh, that almost sounds like a small project! 😄 For concrete, I’ve always used standard 8mm (5/16 inch) anchors with matching screws, which hold firmly. For drywall, I used toggle anchors with a spring mechanism – they’re real little magic workers that grip tightly. 😉

Important: Don’t overestimate what the wall can support and drill carefully. Otherwise, you’ll end up with more holes than planned.

Additional information: According to the manufacturer, the IKEA Besta shelf typically supports up to about 20 kg (44 lbs) per shelf panel. To ensure safe load capacity, you should choose wall plugs with a pull-out strength of at least 100 kg (220 lbs) per fixing point, especially if using multiple screws. Universal wall plugs are suitable for concrete, while metal expansion anchors are recommended for drywall.

When installing, also make sure to drill to the correct hole depth so that the wall plug is fully embedded in the material without the screw protruding or the material becoming too thin.