ᐅ How can I assemble Ikea PLATSA in a rental apartment without making drill holes?

Hello everyone, I am planning to get an Ikea Platsa system for my rental apartment. Since I am not allowed to drill holes in the walls, I am looking for suitable methods and tips to still mount the furniture securely and stably. It is especially important for me to find a way to secure the PLATSA shelf to the wall without drilling, so that it does not wobble or tip over. Does anyone have experience with alternatives to fix the PLATSA without damaging the walls? I look forward to your advice and any experience you can share.

This is a very relevant question, especially for renters who want to avoid damaging their apartments. Here is a brief overview of how to safely install IKEA PLATSA without drilling holes:

- Use of self-adhesive wall mounts: There are strong adhesive systems specifically designed for furniture. However, these are usually only suitable for light loads.

- Use of furniture panels with counterweights: You can assemble the furniture so that it stands stable due to its own weight, but this does not replace wall anchoring to prevent tipping.

- Use of tension rods or other clamping systems between floor and ceiling that secure the shelf without the need to drill.

- Alternatively, anti-tip devices without drilling can be used with adhesive elements from manufacturers like 3M. It is important to thoroughly clean the wall surface beforehand.

- Note that IKEA PLATSA is relatively modular and uses side panels that may be adaptable to other systems.

Overall, I recommend carefully checking the stability before use and taking additional measures if necessary.

LOGEMIN schrieb:
Use of furniture panels with counterweights: You can design furniture so that it stands stably by weight alone, but this does not replace wall anchoring to prevent tipping.

That is correct. It is important to understand that a shelving system like PLATSA requires secure fixing due to its size and modularity to avoid the risk of tipping. Alternatives that do not require drilling usually involve compromises in safety. Tension rods are the most practical drill-free option here since they utilize pressure between the floor and ceiling. However, both the ceiling and the floor surface must be suitable for this load (flat and sturdy).

Additionally, there are furniture clamps for corners that do not require drilling and can prevent tipping, especially when the furniture is positioned directly against a wall or in a corner.

Super interesting question! I recently installed PLATSA in my rental apartment and couldn’t drill because I wanted to play it safe 🛠️✨

I used a combination of tension rods and anti-slip pads. The tension rods press the shelf firmly upward against the ceiling, so it barely moves. The pads prevent it from slipping at the bottom.

Of course, you have to pay attention to the ceiling height, but it really works well and is completely damage-free! For me, it’s an excellent solution, especially when drilling isn’t allowed.

If you want, I can gladly explain in more detail how I installed the tension rods 🙂

todunar schrieb:
I used a combination of tension rods and anti-slip pads. The tension rods press the shelf firmly upward against the ceiling, so it barely moves.

Thanks for your input! I’m actually interested in hearing more details about how you installed the tension rods. Especially with PLATSA, since the system is modular and relatively lightweight. Did you use specific products for this? How did you go about adjusting the right tension without putting too much pressure on the furniture or ceiling? Are there risks of damage if the rods are installed too tightly?

I have a ceiling height of 2.55 m (8 ft 4 in). Would standard tension rods work in this case, or are there special solutions for furniture? Looking forward to hearing about your experience.

barlas62 schrieb:
I’m actually curious about how you installed the tension rods in detail. Especially with PLATSA, since the system is modular and rather lightweight.

I’m happy to add some details, as I have used similar tension rods. Important points when choosing the tension rod are:

- It should have a rubber or soft sliding surface at the ends to protect the ceiling and furniture.
- The piece of furniture should be sturdy enough so that the vertical pressure does not cause deformations.
- The tension rod is installed between floor and ceiling over the top edge of the shelving unit and tightened until firm pressure is felt, but not excessive.

A tip: Too much pressure can cause damage to the ceiling (especially drywall) or furniture frame. Therefore, it’s better to start with slightly less tension and reinforce the furniture, for example with additional floor pads or anti-slip mats.

Additionally, you can place a small corner of felt pads between the rod and the frame to prevent pressure marks.