ᐅ My KALLAX unit cannot be screwed into the wall – is the building material too soft?

Hello everyone,

I recently purchased a KALLAX shelf and would like to mount it on my wall to ensure more stability and safety. However, fastening it has proven to be very difficult because the building material seems too soft. No matter which wall plugs or screws I use, they don’t hold properly in the wall – it feels like the material gives way too much or even gets damaged.

My wall is made of drywall panels on wooden studs, which I assume without a detailed inspection since I live in an older house and the wall does not feel solid. Is there anyone here who has experienced similar issues or can recommend a solution for securely mounting the KALLAX shelf nonetheless?

I would appreciate practical advice – especially on which types of wall plugs or other fixing methods have proven effective for softer walls. Thanks in advance!

liciniusge schrieb:
My wall consists of drywall panels mounted on wooden studs, which I assume without a detailed inspection

If the wall is indeed made of drywall on wooden studs, this is a typical example of a “soft construction” when it comes to fixing points. In this case, special cavity anchors, so-called toggle bolts, or alternative anchoring systems that spread the load behind the drywall are recommended.

Standard expansion anchors often only grip the drywall material, which carries very little weight. Another option is to screw directly into the wooden studs, which requires locating them first using a suitable metal or multi-scanner.

For a KALLAX shelf, a combination of anchors with sufficient load-bearing capacity is necessary. It is important to know the exact wall construction and the weight of the shelf in order to provide a targeted recommendation. Ultimately, every fixing should withstand a certain load test, especially when the shelf is fully loaded.

gadalu schrieb:
Toggle bolts or direct screws into wooden studs

Exactly.

Drywall alone cannot support heavy shelves.

Toggle bolts distribute the load.

Alternatively, locate the wooden studs and fasten there.

Hello,

I would like to add some advice on how to securely mount your KALLAX shelving unit to your wall structure.

1. Determine the wall construction: First, you need to verify whether it is indeed just drywall (plasterboard) on wooden studs. A multi-detector can help you locate wood or metal behind the wall. If you find wood, you can screw directly into it, which is always the most stable option.

2. If no studs are accessible: Cavity anchors such as toggle bolts, spring toggle anchors, or Molly bolts are suitable. These expand behind the wallboard, providing better support.

3. Anchor size and screw length: Make sure the anchors and screws comply with the recommendations from IKEA or similar furniture manufacturers and are long enough to penetrate deeply into the wall.

4. Additional backing: If the wall seems too weak, you can attach a plywood panel or battens behind the shelving unit on the wall. This provides a sturdier surface to fasten to and helps distribute the weight more evenly.

5. Load considerations: Think about how heavy the shelf will ultimately be—when fully loaded, a KALLAX can quickly reach 30–50 kg (66–110 lbs) or more, and the mounting should reliably support this load.

If you know the exact wall structure, I’m happy to recommend suitable types of anchors.

neoren schrieb:
Drywall alone can’t support heavy shelves.

You nailed it! 🙂

With a lightweight wall where you don’t hit a stud directly, hanging a KALLAX-type shelf is like balancing on a wobbly unicycle—it’s possible, but you have to be careful!

I once hung my KALLAX using toggle bolts, and after the third try, it finally held. The key is really using anchors that spread out behind the wall and matching them with the right screws.

Sometimes a combination of anchors plus small wooden battens behind the shelf helps, giving double support and reducing the load on the wall. Good luck and keep at it, you’ll get it! ;-)

REPITAR schrieb:
You can screw a plywood board or battens to the wall behind the shelf

This is a very useful tip. Especially when the KALLAX shelf is heavily loaded, a mounting board helps distribute the weight more evenly. Alternatively, frame constructions or mounting rails can be used to reinforce the fixing points.

It is important to consider the total load when making such modifications. Although the screws and drill holes will be anchored in a more stable base, you should also be prepared for the weight of the shelf including its contents to avoid overloading.

For softer wall structures, avoid drilling too close to the edges and make sure to drill correctly to prevent cracks.