ᐅ What installation tips are there for Ikea Metod kitchens in older buildings?

Hello everyone,

I am planning to install new kitchen cabinets from the Ikea Metod system in my older apartment. Since some of the walls are made of older materials, are not completely flat, and the ceilings are sometimes sloped, I’m wondering what installation tips you might have specifically for older apartments with these characteristics.

Are there any particular challenges with the Metod cabinets that should be considered when attaching them to uneven walls? How do you handle slightly crooked walls to achieve a visually balanced result?

I’m also interested in recommendations for suitable wall anchors, screws, or additional support elements that are advisable for older, potentially crumbly materials.

I look forward to your experiences and tips beyond the standard installation instructions!

Hey panayotis,
I completely understand your challenge! Old buildings are very charming but can be really tricky when it comes to installation 😅

Here are my tips:
- Make sure to use wall anchors that work well in older, crumbly walls. The commonly included plastic anchors are often too weak!
- If the wall is uneven, build a substructure from wooden battens (e.g., 2x4 cm (1x1.5 inches)) in front of the wall. This way, you can level everything and then attach the Metod cabinets securely.
- Use a spirit level and a laser level to check your alignment. These tools are especially helpful if the ceiling is sloped.
- For sloped ceilings, you can install individual pieces so the upper cabinets rest lightly on the cabinet below and don’t have to fit flush with the ceiling.

Don’t get discouraged—you can achieve a great kitchen with patience and proper preparation! Good luck!

panayotis schrieb:
Since some of the walls here are made of older materials, are not completely even, and some ceilings are sloped, I’m wondering what installation tips you have specifically for older apartments with these characteristics.

I start these kinds of projects with a thorough assessment because every older wall is different. The first important step is to identify the wall material: Is it solid brick, aerated concrete, timber stud walls, or a mixed construction?

- Solid brick walls are usually stable but require special anchors, such as heavy-duty anchors or metal expansion anchors (e.g., Fischer SX or UX types).
- For crumbly plaster, a pretreatment can be useful, for example with a primer or a floor tile adhesive to strengthen the surface.

For aligning furniture, I suggest the following approach:

- Install a temporary mounting strip perfectly level on the wall, on which you can hang the cabinets. This can then be precisely leveled after the final adjustment.
- If the wall is very uneven (more than 10–20mm (0.4–0.8 inches) difference over 2m (6.5 feet)), it might be helpful to build a supporting frame from wooden battens and attach the cabinets to that.

Another tip concerns the load-bearing capacity: In older buildings, it’s best to attach to the strongest walls, such as load-bearing interior walls, since fully loaded kitchen cabinets can become quite heavy.

Regarding ceilings: For sloped areas, the last row of cabinets can be cut to fit (e.g., with a miter cut), or intermediate shelves can be used to make the best visual use of the space.

Are there more detailed details about the wall condition and room height? That would allow for even more targeted advice.

Kulau schrieb:
Regarding ceilings: For sloped areas, the last row of cabinets can be trimmed to fit (e.g., with a miter cut), or adjustable shelves can be used to optimize the visual use of space.

Additionally: Metod upper cabinets can be custom-fitted using so-called filler pieces made of engineered wood. These are mounted with either mitered or straight cuts on cabinet edges to visually adapt the furniture to sloped ceilings.

Moreover, mounting strips are almost indispensable in older buildings. For uneven walls, it is advisable to align and fix these strips precisely using a spirit level. After that, the Metod cabinets can be aligned neatly and installed perfectly straight despite wall irregularities.

If the wall’s structural stability or plaster condition is doubtful, it is better to use chemical anchors (injection mortar). These provide a stronger hold than standard expansion anchors in crumbly walls.

One last tip: Before installation, always turn off the power supply to any outlet strips and water connections, and check that the drill holes for anchors are not too close to wiring or pipes.

panayotis schrieb:
Are there any specific challenges to consider when mounting Metod cabinets on uneven walls?

Hello again, I’d like to clarify the following:

- Metod cabinets are typically installed using fixed hanging rails, which offers advantages when compensating for uneven walls. You can secure the hanging rails using washers or small wooden wedges on spacers before screwing them in. This way, you can partially level out irregularities.

- When attaching wall cabinets, I recommend not fully tightening the screws that anchor the cabinets to the wall but leaving them slightly loose. This allows you to adjust and align the cabinets precisely.

Don’t worry, the system is quite flexible, but especially in older buildings, it’s important to take your time and constantly check with a spirit level and plumb line.

Good luck!