ᐅ How can you add casters to an Ikea Platsa unit after assembly?

Hello everyone, some time ago I bought an IKEA Platsa cabinet and now I would like to add casters to it to make it easier to move around the room. However, I haven’t found any direct instructions or parts for this, as the system is not originally designed for it.

My specific question is: What options are there for retrofitting casters to the IKEA Platsa cabinet while maintaining stability and functionality? Are there suitable casters, adapters, or construction tips I should consider to avoid damaging the cabinet body?

I would appreciate any practical advice or experiences from the forum.

The Platsa cabinet from IKEA is not originally designed for casters, so some creativity is required. First and foremost, load distribution is important: casters should have sufficient load capacity and preferably be lockable to prevent unwanted rolling. A proven method is to install furniture casters with mounting plates that are screwed to the underside. It is recommended to attach them at the corners of the cabinet—pre-drilling is essential to avoid damaging the material. Alternatively, there are casters with threaded stems that can be screwed into sufficiently deep holes, provided the material thickness allows for it. Another tip is to use wider casters to reduce pressure on the floor and improve mobility.

I understand the question well, as I had the same issue with my Platsa a year ago. It is important to me that the casters are sturdy enough and that the cabinet can be moved easily on carpet without becoming wobbly. At the time, I used inexpensive furniture casters, attaching them to the cabinet with a small wooden board screwed underneath, and it works great. However, I had to experiment a bit to find the right height and position for the casters so that the cabinet stands perfectly level. So, some patience is needed, and ideally, you should work with a helper.

If possible, buy casters with a base plate. Remove the casters, place the cabinet on top, pre-drill holes, and screw in. More stable than casters with threaded stems. Ensure a load capacity of at least 20 kg (44 lbs) per caster.

I would like to point out that retrofitting rollers without considering the structural load can be problematic. In case of doubt, this can significantly alter the cabinet’s construction, potentially leading to long-term deformation or instability. Furthermore, I believe it is essential that the rollers are attached in a way that avoids concentrated loads on weak points such as end grains or thin particleboard material. It would be advisable to reinforce the lower panels or add an additional frame to support the load from the rollers. I am interested to know if anyone here has implemented their own design solutions, possibly involving reinforced substructures.

Screw rollers to the bottom corners using pre-drilled holes. Avoid screwing directly into thin particle boards. Use small wooden strips as reinforcement.