ᐅ How do I choose the right anchors and screws for securely mounting IKEA BESTA units to walls?

Hello everyone,

I am planning to mount my new IKEA BESTÅ shelf on a living room wall. The walls are masonry, but to be honest, I am unsure which anchors and screws I should use to ensure a secure installation.

I want to avoid the shelf becoming loose or even falling down after some time. It would also be helpful if someone could provide advice on what to consider when choosing anchors and screws, especially regarding different wall materials.

My detailed questions:
- What type of anchor is recommended for a plastered brick wall when installing an IKEA BESTÅ?
- What length and thickness of screws should I choose?
- Do I need special fasteners for heavy BESTÅ units?
- Has anyone had experience with additional reinforcement (e.g., metal brackets) on walls with drywall (plasterboard) or wood?

I look forward to your tips and mainly practical recommendations that other beginners can easily follow. Thanks in advance!

For the secure installation of an IKEA BESTÅ on a plastered brick wall, I recommend the following anchors and screws:

- Anchors: Universal nylon anchors, size 8 mm (5/16 inches) – these provide good hold in solid masonry.
- Screws: Countersunk screws, at least 6 mm (1/4 inch) in diameter and 60 mm (2 3/8 inches) long.

It is important to check the plaster for cracks before drilling, as this can affect the holding strength. For heavy units over 40 kg (88 lbs), even load distribution across multiple anchors is advisable.

For drywall (plasterboard), special cavity anchors or metal toggle anchors are required. Metal brackets can offer additional security but are usually not mandatory if the fastening is done properly.

I would use 8mm (5/16 inch) nylon anchors with 6x60mm (1/4 x 2 3/8 inch) screws for brick walls.

For drywall, use hollow wall anchors.

Choose anchors and screws according to the wall type:
- Brick: nylon anchors 8mm (0.3 inches), screws 6x60mm (0.24x2.36 inches)
- Drywall: heavy-duty hollow wall anchors

The shelf should be secured at at least three points.

Jonfe69 schrieb:
Does anyone have experience with additional reinforcement (e.g., metal brackets) on walls made of drywall or wood?

Metal brackets can be especially useful for drywall walls, as drywall panels alone do not support heavy loads well. When used with heavy-duty anchors, brackets increase stability and prevent tilting or pullout. For wooden walls, self-tapping screws or wood screws of appropriate length are often sufficient.

Regarding screw length: a minimum of 60mm (2.4 inches) is recommended for 8mm (0.3 inches) anchors to ensure the anchor is fully embedded in the masonry and there is enough screw length within the anchor.

This prevents loose screws and improves load capacity. Also, make sure that screws and anchors are matched; do not use thin screws with anchors that are too large.