ᐅ How do I secure IKEA Metod kitchen cabinets to rough wall surfaces?

Hello everyone,

I am currently planning to install an IKEA Metod kitchen, but I have the problem that my wall is not a smooth plaster, but rather a rough, uneven surface (it is old clay plaster with sand content). My question is very specific: How can I securely and permanently fasten the Metod kitchen cabinets to such uneven, rough wall materials?

I am mainly looking for advice on choosing the right wall anchors or fastening materials, any necessary wall preparation, and load distribution. I am also interested in whether there are special techniques to consider with inconsistent wall textures to prevent the cabinets from becoming loose or, worse, falling down over time.

I appreciate any detailed help or shared experiences, as this is my first time doing this and the structural safety of the wall cabinets is very important to me. Thank you!

Hi, for rough walls I always use heavy-duty anchors or chemical anchors. It is important to drill the holes cleanly beforehand and, if necessary, smooth the surface a bit. This ensures a secure hold.

Hello codyle,

I understand your concerns well. Especially with a rough wall material like clay plaster mixed with sand, the load-bearing capacity of the fasteners is not always guaranteed. Here I recommend a multi-step process:

- First, you should check how dense and load-bearing the plaster is – small “flakes” or loose areas should definitely be removed to create the most solid surface possible.

- Since the surface is usually uneven, you can use filler or a fluid repair mortar to even out certain irregularities. This also improves load transfer.

- For the fastening itself, chemical anchors (injection anchors) are usually the safest choice for this type of substrate. They cure inside the drilled hole and distribute the load frictionally to the wall.

- If you don’t want to use chemical anchors, take heavy-duty anchors with deep anchoring into the load-bearing layer behind the plaster (e.g., masonry or concrete).

- Be sure to consider the weight specifications for the respective anchors and include a safety factor in your calculations. The IKEA Metod cabinets are considered medium-heavy because many users add ceramic or granite countertops if needed.

- The hanging rails of the Metod series can be securely fixed horizontally with several anchors; make sure to anchor them with sufficient spacing from each other and firmly all around.

For perfect advice, it would be helpful to know whether the wall behind the plaster is a solid, load-bearing layer or if there are possible cavities.

What tools and skills do you have available for drilling and mounting? If needed, I can give you tips on the correct drilling technique.

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For perfect advice, it would be helpful to know whether the wall directly behind the plaster is a load-bearing, solid layer or if there might be cavities?

Thanks, that’s a good point! I haven’t checked specifically yet, but based on the construction year (1950s), the masonry is probably solid brick, not hollow. The clay plaster has been applied on the outside, so there should be solid stone behind the plaster.

I have a rotary hammer, hammer drill, appropriate drill bits, and some anchor sets. I have experience with drilling but have not used chemical anchors yet. Are there specific products you would recommend? Is trial anchoring with Metod mounting rails straightforward, or does it require very precise work?

Hello codyle,

Chemical anchors are indeed a very good choice for uneven and crumbly substrates such as clay plaster. They work by first injecting a suitable resin into the drilled hole, then inserting the special anchor. Once cured, the system provides strong clamping force and distributes the load better than many mechanical anchors.

When purchasing, make sure the anchor is suitable for your wall thickness and the weight of the cabinets. Manufacturers usually provide tables with maximum load capacities.

For preparation: drill the hole slightly deeper than necessary and be sure to thoroughly remove all drill dust—using, for example, a small hand pump or compressed air—so that the resin adheres properly.

When installing the Metod hanging rails, take your time to mount them exactly level. Especially with a rough plaster, it can be helpful to initially fix the rail with a mounting jig and adjust it before finally tightening the anchor.

Good luck!

Remove drilling dust thoroughly and allow anchors to cure properly; then they will hold securely. For rough walls, it is better to use a few more anchors rather than the minimum.