ᐅ What is the best way to mount Ikea Brimnes shelves securely to the wall?

Hello everyone,

I am planning to securely and safely attach my Ikea Brimnes shelves to the wall but am unsure about the best way to do this.

My wall is made of concrete, and so far I don’t have suitable wall plugs or specialized tools for this. The Ikea instructions are available but, in my opinion, quite general.

I have heard that it is essential to pay attention to the type of wall plugs used and that correct positioning of the brackets is important for load distribution. Also, I am wondering whether to mount the shelves at eye level or a bit higher to ensure good usability later on.

Does anyone have practical experience or helpful tips, especially for the Brimnes series, which often includes drawers?

How did you fix the shelves to the wall, which tools are absolutely necessary, and what should one pay special attention to in order to avoid any risks?

Thanks in advance!

Hello Leo33,

First of all, thank you for your detailed and precise question. The combination of a concrete wall and the specific Brimnes model makes this quite interesting.

I would like to recommend a step-by-step process based on how I handled it last time:

- Start by pre-drilling holes in the wall using a good rotary hammer drill and a concrete drill bit. The depth should match the length of your anchors – typically 6 to 8 cm (2.5 to 3 inches) for heavy-duty anchors.
- For concrete, the best options are expansion anchors or chemical anchors if you want maximum stability. The Ikea instructions suggest universal anchors, but I don’t consider those ideal for concrete.
- Make sure the shelf brackets are anchored directly into the wall and not only into plaster or drywall, if present.
- Carefully measure the positions of the wall brackets on the Brimnes shelves. A hole drilled too high or too low can cause the shelf to wobble or not fit properly.
- The height is of course a matter of preference. For drawers, I recommend setting the bottom edge about 80 to 90 cm (31 to 35 inches) above the floor so that opening the drawers is comfortable.
- Be sure to use a spirit level when marking and installing to avoid a crooked result.

Now I’m curious: Which exact Brimnes variant do you have (width, height), and approximately how much weight will the shelves hold? This can be important when choosing the right anchors.

Best regards!

Parbo schrieb:
The height is, of course, a matter of personal preference. For drawers, I recommend setting the bottom edge at about 80 to 90 cm (31 to 35 inches) above the floor so that pulling out the drawers is comfortable.

That’s a great tip, especially since I’ve experienced myself that drawers mounted too high can become really annoying over time. At first, I was also a bit unsure about the wall plugs, mainly because I was afraid the shelf might eventually fall off the wall.

I would recommend taking a moment to consider how much weight you actually plan to put on the shelf. Sometimes you tend to be more cautious than necessary, but especially if there are children in the house, it’s better to be safe.

Recently, I attached Brimnes shelves to a wooden wall (not concrete), so I had to use different wall plugs. That’s why it’s really helpful if you can tell us what kind of wall you have. That already reduces a lot of uncertainty.

If you feel unsure when drilling, take your time and trust your instincts – it’s better to measure and mark again than to drill right away. This will save you frustration and potential mistakes later.

Good luck, and let us know how it goes!

Leo33 schrieb:
The instructions from Ikea are available, but in my opinion they are quite general.

I can confirm this assessment. Ikea usually provides only basic steps because the wall structure can vary greatly from one customer to another.

If you have concrete walls, I recommend using high-quality metal expansion anchors with the appropriate drill bit (make sure the hole isn’t drilled too small or too large). As a general rule:

- Properly blow out the drill hole so the anchor doesn’t slip due to dust
- Fully recess the anchor and screw the bracket flush with the wall plate

Another important point is load distribution: Ikea Brimnes shelves are not ultra-light, and especially if you fill them with books or heavy items, it makes sense to use more than two anchors per shelf. This is particularly true for drawers where the leverage is greater because opening applies force.

My tip: When mounting the brackets, place them as close as possible to the center of the shelf width to avoid lateral tilting.

Regarding tools: You only need a hammer drill, spirit level, cordless screwdriver, and proper anchors. A clipboard for measurements makes marking much easier.

If you have any questions about specific steps, just ask.

floga schrieb:
I would recommend that you calmly check beforehand how much weight you actually want to put on the shelf.

Absolutely! Taking the time to think about how you’ll use it later already gets you halfway there.

I once overloaded my Brimnes shelves with too many books and it still held up fine because I used strong wall anchors. But if the shelf will only hold decorative items, you can use lighter fixings.

And don’t worry: Installing shelves isn’t rocket science. Of course, if you ask yourself the right questions beforehand, like Leo33 did, you’ll quickly realize it’s quite manageable.

One practical tip from me: Bring a small spirit level and check regularly that everything is straight. Especially if you’re installing several shelves side by side, it can quickly look odd otherwise.

Oh, and if your DIY skills aren’t top-notch: Make yourself a coffee, listen to some music, and relax. Staying calm makes the job easier.

Good luck!