ᐅ Are there any tips or tricks to make installing Ikea Metod wall cabinets easier?

Hello everyone,

I am currently tasked with installing several Ikea Metod wall cabinets and am wondering if there are any tips or proven methods to make the assembly process easier. Due to the size and weight of these cabinets, the typical wall mounting and adjustment of the hangers can be quite challenging. Therefore, I am mainly looking for advice on preparation, tool selection, secure fastening, and possibly tricks to reduce the time required or to make the installation overall safer and simpler.

Does anyone have experience with these cabinets and can offer helpful advice, especially regarding a stable fixing on different wall types? Thanks in advance for your support!

Punina schrieb:
Does anyone have experience with these cabinets and can offer helpful advice, especially regarding secure mounting on different wall types?

Hello Punina,

I have installed several Metod wall cabinets and would like to provide you with a structured guide to help make the process easier:

- Preparation: Make sure you have a spirit level, a reliable cordless drill, appropriate wall plugs (for concrete, drywall, or wood, depending on your wall type), and a pencil for marking.
- Screw types: Although Ikea provides standard wall plugs and screws, it’s often worth upgrading to higher quality ones, especially for drywall installations where hollow wall anchors (such as toggle bolts or metal spring anchors) are recommended.
- Load distribution: Ensure the cabinets are secured at a minimum of two fixing points. For larger units, I recommend fully utilizing the hanging rail and adding battens underneath the cabinets if needed to better distribute the load.
- Installation aid: Having a second person to hold the cabinets during screwing is very helpful. If that’s not possible, clamps or a workshop trolley can be used as temporary supports.

Tip: Mark all fixing points precisely before starting the actual installation and double-check them with a spirit level. This will help you avoid time-consuming adjustments later on.

If you have questions about a specific wall type, I’m happy to provide more detailed advice.

giabau schrieb:
Having a second person to hold things steady while screwing can be really helpful.

Oh yes, exactly! I always installed my Metod wall cabinets with a friend – it really saves nerves and time! 😄

Here’s another super practical tip from me: before mounting, put some painter’s tape on the wall just below the cabinet edge. If a tool or screw drops, it won’t roll away uncontrollably or fall behind furniture.

Also: when drilling, always use a depth stop or mark the drilling depth with tape to avoid damaging electrical cables or pipes. Safety always comes first!

And don’t forget: the Ikea instructions are solid but not always detailed enough. If you're unsure about something, it’s better to double-check that the brackets are aligned correctly and the cabinet doors close properly.

Good luck – this will be a great project, don’t get discouraged!

bauku schrieb:
And don’t forget: The Ikea instructions are solid but not always detailed enough.

I’d like to add something here: Why do so many people rely solely on the included Ikea instructions? In my view, that’s often the reason things become rushed and complicated.

There are much smarter ways to install Metod wall cabinets that Ikea doesn’t mention—for example, pre-assembling all modules on the floor, adjusting the doors before mounting them, and especially properly preparing the wall beforehand (really checking carefully if the plaster can hold). Many people are too impatient and want to start drilling immediately without considering load distribution and wall stability.

I even dare say that many people are simply afraid of the effort involved and therefore settle for shortcuts—which then leads to crooked cabinets or damaged walls.

My advice: Take your time, plan thoroughly, and work step by step, so no one has to improvise out of desperation.

Just my opinion—but anyone who just rehashes what the IKEA manual already says misses the key tips.