ᐅ How can I securely mount Ikea PAX wardrobes on walls with low load-bearing capacity?

Hello everyone,

I am planning to assemble an Ikea PAX wardrobe in my rental property, but I have noticed that the walls where I want to attach the furniture are not very load-bearing. They are thin drywall panels with wooden studs behind them, which cannot support much weight. My question is: How can I securely fix the Ikea PAX to such weak walls to ensure both stability and safety? Are there special anchors, additional reinforcements, or alternatives you would recommend?

I would appreciate any advice, as I want to avoid damaging the walls while, of course, ensuring the wardrobe stands firmly.

Basically, with drywall (gypsum board) walls framed with timber studs, it is best to secure fixtures so that the loads are transferred directly into the timber studs. For installing Ikea PAX wardrobes, the following is recommended:

- First, locate the studs (using a stud finder or by tapping lightly).
- Use anchors specifically designed for wood, such as wood screws with appropriate pilot holes.
- Alternatively, metal reinforcement profiles can be inserted behind the drywall panel to provide additional strengthening.
- For very thin wall thicknesses, cavity metal anchors with strong expansion properties can be used as a supplement.

A fully continuous anchoring into the stud is ideal; otherwise, stability may be compromised.

Always locate the wooden studs behind the drywall. Secure there with wood screws; otherwise, it will not hold well.

Ploki schrieb:
How can I securely fasten the Ikea PAX to walls with poor load-bearing capacity to ensure both stability and safety? Are there special anchors, additional reinforcements, or alternatives you would recommend?

Regarding your specific question: For drywall with wooden stud framing, I recommend thoroughly checking the wall structure before installation. A simple stud finder usually shows where the wooden studs are located.

Step-by-step:
- Use a detector to locate and mark the studs.
- When installing the PAX, plan the wall fastenings so that all screws are anchored directly into the wooden studs.
- Use wood screws at least 5 mm (0.2 inches) in diameter, with length depending on the drywall thickness plus 50 mm (2 inches).
- If fastening to drywall without studs is necessary, you can use toggle bolts (also called plasterboard anchors), but these carry less load.
- To increase load capacity, one option is to screw an additional panel (e.g., plywood) onto the wall, which then serves as a secure anchoring surface.

If this seems too complicated, it may be worth supporting the cabinet with a bracing frame on the floor and adjacent walls.

I have had good success by attaching the PAX only to the timber studs, even if the wall panel itself is unstable. Use long wood screws that penetrate at least 50 mm (2 inches) into the stud. This way, everything remains stable.

It is important to distribute the weight of the PAX as evenly as possible across multiple fixing points. Therefore, use at least three to four attachment points, ideally all into the wooden studs.

Blavin schrieb:
Alternatively, special metal profiles can be installed behind the drywall to provide additional reinforcement.

This works well in new constructions or renovations but is often difficult with existing walls. In such cases, a solid additional frame in front of the wall can help, which stands on the floor itself and thus relieves the load.