ᐅ How can I safely install IKEA PLATSA furniture in a rental apartment?

Hello everyone, I am moving into a new rental apartment soon and would like to assemble IKEA Platsa furniture there. Since these pieces are often configured flexibly and can be quite large, I am unsure how to securely install them in a rental without damaging the walls or causing issues with the landlord.

My main concern is how to best fix the furniture so that it remains stable on one hand, but can also be removed later with minimal trace on the other. What installation methods or alternatives to wall mounting can you recommend? Are there any special tricks to increase stability without drilling?

Ideally, I would appreciate advice related to common apartment wall types (drywall and plaster), as I don’t yet know exactly what the walls will be like. Also, I am interested if there are different fixing methods or options depending on the type of wall.

Thanks in advance for your experiences and tips!

It is best to attach the furniture using the supplied wall brackets, if the landlord allows it. For drywall partitions, use basement anchors or cavity wall anchors. Alternatively, use furniture with anti-tip safety devices that are only attached to the furniture itself.

Drilling without permission is risky, so it is best to consult beforehand.

Hello Nulipra, your concern is completely understandable, especially if you don’t want to drill permanently into the walls as a tenant. I’d be happy to share some detailed tips:

- First, you should check whether your rental agreement or landlord allows wall mounting. Sometimes there are limits on the number of drill holes or specific requirements to follow.
- For drywall, I recommend cavity anchors (e.g., molly bolts), which provide high load capacity without unnecessarily weakening the wall. However, be careful here as well: too many or too large anchors can damage the wall.
- If the wall is made of solid plaster or concrete, regular expansion anchors and drill bits are usually fine, but you should choose the anchor size accordingly.
- A no-drill option is so-called tension or compression systems, which are installed between floor and ceiling. This is especially stable for tall PLATSA units and can be removed without leaving any marks.
- It is also important with all installations to connect the furniture pieces to each other and secure them against tipping. IKEA often includes anti-tip safety devices.

If you like, I can also provide more information on different types of anchors and mounting methods.

Josan schrieb:
One option without drilling is so-called tension or clamp systems that are fixed between floor and ceiling.

I can fully support that. At first, I was also unsure and drove myself crazy internally wondering how to do it safely without damaging the apartment. In the end, a tension rod like that really helped me. Even though it looks a bit strange at first, the stability is noticeable, especially with tall furniture.

This was important to me because I was concerned about what the landlord might say when I move out. It gave me a lot of peace of mind knowing the apartment remains practically undamaged.

If the ceiling is very high or unusual, there are adjustable versions available, which I also recommend.

Great topic! I love PLATSA and have easily installed it myself in my rental apartment. What helps me is that I always use the included anti-tip hardware. Whether I drill or not – safety comes first!

Also, I recently did a great DIY project using tension rods, which is really fun and very flexible. If you have some basic DIY skills, you can stabilize the entire piece of furniture without having to damage the walls.

I can really only recommend it, especially if you like to redecorate or move frequently. Simply SUPER practical! 🙂

To complement the previous suggestions, here are some factual notes:

- For drywall construction, it is recommended to use hollow wall anchors or toggle bolts, as they provide a reliable load capacity. Simpler anchors usually do not hold sufficiently.
- For plaster or solid walls, classic expansion anchors or universal anchors with matching screws are appropriate.
- Alternatively, furniture safety systems can be used, which are attached to the furniture and fixed to the wall to prevent tipping. There are also stabilizing solutions for freestanding setups without wall drilling that rely on mechanical pressure (tension rods, etc.).
- Important: The load capacity of both the anchors and the wall should be checked beforehand, as well as compliance with the rental agreement clauses regarding structural modifications.

I recommend conducting inspections before installation and, if necessary, explicitly requesting permission from the landlord.