ᐅ Are there any recommendations for screws and wall anchors to securely mount IKEA BESTA units?

Hello everyone,

I am planning to mount a large IKEA BESTÅ shelving unit on the wall and want to make sure that the screws and anchors used are optimal for both the wall material and the load capacity. When mounting in older buildings with mostly solid masonry or sometimes drywall, a few questions arise:

- Which types of anchors are recommended for concrete, brick, or drywall respectively?
- What screw size and length should be used to ensure a secure load-bearing connection?
- Are there any specific recommendations for installing IKEA BESTÅ furniture that should be considered?

My question is therefore quite specific: Are there proven recommendations on which screws and anchors are particularly suitable for safely mounting IKEA BESTÅ furniture on the wall, depending on the wall type and load? I look forward to your experiences and tips!

For concrete walls, use heavy-duty anchors with suitable screws, e.g., 8 mm anchors and 6 mm screws, at least 60 mm (2.4 inches) long. For drywall, it is best to choose cavity anchors and adjust the screw size accordingly. IKEA itself recommends anchors and screws with good load-bearing capacity, usually 5-6 mm screws.

Hello gudan,

I’m happy to provide a brief overview:

1. For masonry (brick, concrete), plastic or metal expansion anchors work well. It is important that the anchor is embedded deeply enough in the wall material and not just superficially. Anchors with a diameter of 8 mm (5/16 inch) and matching screws (6–8 mm [1/4–5/16 inch], ideally 60–80 mm [2 3/8–3 1/8 inches] in length, depending on the panel thickness) are recommended.

2. For drywall panels, always use special cavity or toggle anchors, not simple plastic anchors. These distribute the load over a larger area behind the panel.

3. Screws should match the load not only in length but also in diameter. IKEA BESTÅ shelves can support up to 20 kg (44 lbs) or more, so a secure fastening is essential.

Tip: For the BESTÅ, it’s best to use anchors rated for load capacity and increase the number of fixings if you plan to place heavy items.

Summary:
- Masonry: 8 mm (5/16 inch) anchors + 6 mm (1/4 inch) screws, at least 60 mm (2 3/8 inches) long
- Drywall: toggle anchors + screws matching the anchor

I’m happy to provide more detailed information about each mounting method if needed.

In older buildings with brick walls, 8mm (5/16 inch) nylon anchors work reliably, with screws at least 5x60mm (5/16x2 3/8 inches). For plasterboard, hollow wall anchors are the best choice, preferably with a long thread. Load distribution is important, so it is better to use several fixing points.

gudan schrieb:
Are there any proven recommendations on which screws and wall plugs are best suited for securely mounting IKEA BESTÅ furniture, depending on wall type and load?

Basically, I recommend comparing IKEA’s guidelines with the actual building conditions. Although wall plug kits are often included, keep in mind:
- The type of wall determines the choice of wall plugs.
- The load from the shelf and its contents is crucial: An empty shelf exerts much less load than a fully stocked one.

Are you certain that the load distribution and especially the wall plugs have sufficient load capacity? Incorrect wall plugs are often used on drywall (plasterboard) walls, which can eventually fail.

Also, how exactly are the furniture parts connected? Mounting individual shelf units upright is less stable than a broad connection with multiple fixing points. Therefore, I would always recommend caution and prefer well-sized wall plugs and screws.

sinhau schrieb:
Screws should not only be appropriate in length but also in diameter for the load

This is the most important point. Screws and wall plugs must be able to safely carry the expected load. For BESTÅ shelves, I would use screws at least 5 x 60 mm (5/16 x 2 3/8 inches). For solid walls, approximately 6 mm (1/4 inch) screws with matching 8 mm (5/16 inch) plugs and a minimum embedment depth of 60 mm (2 3/8 inches) are recommended. For drywall (plasterboard), always use toggle bolts matched to the screw length.

faso31 schrieb:
Are you sure that the load distribution and especially the anchors have sufficient load capacity? Often, the wrong anchors are used in drywall walls, which can eventually fail.

I completely agree. Drywall requires careful planning. If the shelf will carry a lot of weight, it’s better to use more fixing points.