ᐅ Can I install PAX units in a rental property without anchoring them to the wall?

Hello everyone, I have a question that’s currently on my mind as I’m setting up my apartment: Can I install an IKEA PAX wardrobe in a rental property without securing it to the wall?

I live in an older building with relatively thin walls, and my landlord has explicitly asked me not to drill any holes in the walls. My PAX wardrobe is about 2 meters (6 ft 7 in) tall and 1 meter (3 ft 3 in) wide. I’m wondering how stable such a large piece of furniture is without wall anchors. Are there any tips on how to ensure safety without damaging the walls? And what about the legal perspective, especially if something were to happen?

I’m looking forward to hearing about your experiences and practical advice!

PAX units should always be secured to the wall to prevent tipping. Without wall anchoring, they are unstable, especially with larger models.

Luchen schrieb:
PAX units should always be secured to the wall to prevent tipping. Without wall attachment, they are unsafe, especially with larger models.

That is exactly the key point. A PAX wardrobe, especially the larger versions, is designed to be stabilized with wall anchors. Without this securing, the risk of tipping increases significantly, which is particularly important if there are children in the household or heavy items stored inside.

What many don’t realize is that the actual stability depends not only on the material but also on the anchoring. If wall attachment is not possible due to rental conditions, I recommend the following alternatives:

- Choose a wider wardrobe to increase the footprint
- Distribute weight evenly, placing heavy items at the bottom
- Use furniture levelers with non-slip pads
- Secure with additional furniture or ceiling braces that do not require drilling into the wall

Legally, securing the unit also provides protection regarding liability issues – if the wardrobe tips over without proper stability and causes injury, this can lead to problems.

If drilling is not allowed, you can use special clamping or tensioning solutions. IKEA, for example, offers wall fixtures with a tension system that can be clamped from floor to ceiling.

It is understandable that you want to protect the walls in a rental property, especially if the landlord specifically requests it. To my knowledge, PAX wardrobes are designed to achieve full stability only when secured to the wall.

One option is to secure the wardrobe using furniture straps or telescoping tension rods. These can be placed between the floor and ceiling without drilling. This is a good alternative as long as the ceiling height is suitable and the construction is stable.

It is also worth asking at IKEA or specialist retailers for suitable safety accessories that do not require wall drilling. Another tip is to store heavy clothing or shoe boxes near the floor, so the weight is lower and the center of gravity stays low.

In general, make sure the wardrobe stands on a level surface and is not at risk of slipping. If an accident occurs despite all precautions, lacking wall attachment could also cause issues with insurance coverage.

Dilen schrieb:
If this is not possible due to rental agreement conditions, I recommend the following alternatives:

- Choose a wider cabinet to increase the base area
- Distribute weight evenly, store heavy items at the bottom
- Use furniture floor leveling with non-slip pads
- Secure the furniture with additional pieces or ceiling moldings that do not require wall drilling

Thanks for this detailed overview! I find the idea of securing furniture with ceiling moldings particularly interesting. Has anyone had experience with this? Does it work reliably?

Also, what about liability issues if the cabinet actually tips over without wall anchoring and someone gets injured? Can the landlord influence this by prohibiting the installation of anchors?