ᐅ How can I secure Ikea Pax wardrobes to the wall without drilling?

Hello everyone, I recently bought the IKEA Pax wardrobes and I’m facing the problem that I don’t want to drill into the walls of my rental apartment to secure the wardrobes. The wardrobes are quite tall and therefore quite unstable if they are not fixed. I am looking for a way to secure the Pax wardrobes without screws or wall plugs. Is there any alternative that provides sufficient safety without damaging the wall? I have already considered clamp devices or special feet, but I am not sure if these are really stable enough. I would appreciate any suggestions, preferably with information about load capacity and stability.

You could try reinforced floor brackets that stabilize the cabinet base. Alternatively, there are special anti-slip mats combined with floor angle brackets, which sometimes work without drilling.

Hello gofar, your question is very clear and important, especially since the tipping safety of tall cabinets like the Ikea Pax is critical. Without drilling into the wall, there are generally only a few reliable ways to ensure long-term stability. I would like to explain a few approaches to you here:

- One option is so-called tension or clamping systems that secure the cabinet at the top to the ceiling. These are often made of metal and are wedged between the top of the cabinet and the ceiling without drilling. However, the ceiling height must be exact, and the system is only as stable as the clamping force.

- Another idea is non-slip rubber mats placed under the cabinet feet. These at least prevent sliding on smooth floors. However, this only stabilizes horizontally, not against tipping.

- Some recommend grouping the cabinet with heavy pieces of furniture or a bookshelf that forms a single unit with the cabinet, thereby reducing the risk of tipping.

- It is important with all alternatives that the securing method should also be chosen with child safety in mind, as a tipping cabinet can cause serious accidents.

Do you have a suspended ceiling in your apartment? That affects whether clamping systems are practical. And what type of flooring do you have, wood or tiles? Some non-slip mats adhere better to certain surfaces.

Use so-called clamp supports that hold the cabinet firmly against the ceiling. These require no drilling, provide good stability when properly installed, and can also be removed without leaving any residue.

EDWARD0 schrieb:
Use so-called tension poles that press the cabinet against the ceiling from above.

This is actually one of the more reliable methods if drilling is not an option. It is important that the ceiling is flat and load-bearing; otherwise, the support may rub or cause damage. In addition, you can equip the cabinet feet with anti-slip pads to prevent sliding on smooth floor surfaces. This already reduces the risk of movement. If you have carpet flooring, it does support the cabinet but provides less resistance against tipping. Therefore, a combination of a tension device at the top and rubber mats at the bottom is the best solution without wall mounting.

TUELBA schrieb:
Do you have a suspended ceiling in your apartment? That affects whether clamp systems are suitable. And what type of flooring do you have, more wood or tiles? Some anti-slip mats adhere better to certain surfaces.

Thanks for the detailed reply! The ceiling is not suspended but a fairly smooth and load-bearing concrete ceiling, about 2.50 m (8 ft 2 in) high. The floor is laminate, which worries me because of the slip risk.

RON57 schrieb:
It is important that the ceiling is even and load-bearing; otherwise, the support will rub or get damaged.

That seems to apply to me, so it should be feasible. However, I wonder if clamp supports also pose any risks for glass or mirror fronts of the Pax wardrobes, since the pressure acts on the top cabinet frame. Has anyone had experience with this? My cabinets have high-gloss fronts, and I don’t want to damage them.