ᐅ How do I securely mount IKEA Metod wall cabinets on older building walls?

Hello everyone,

I am planning to install IKEA Metod wall cabinets in my old apartment, but I am facing the challenge that the walls consist of old, partly crumbling plaster with brickwork behind it. The cabinets need to be securely and permanently mounted, as they can become quite heavy, especially when filled.

Are there any proven methods for reliably fixing the Metod wall cabinets to such old walls? I have considered heavy-duty anchors or special wall plugs but am unsure which option would be best suited here. I am also interested in how to properly plan the exact mounting positions to ensure the load is ideally distributed.

Has anyone in the community had experience with IKEA Metod wall cabinets on old walls and can provide advice on materials, procedures, and potential pitfalls? Thanks in advance!

For old brick walls, I recommend heavy-duty anchors or chemical anchors. First, drill the hole using a rotary hammer, then insert the anchors and mount the cabinets on the original hangers. Important: Check the exact positions beforehand with a spirit level.

For the secure installation of IKEA Metod wall cabinets on old brick walls, I recommend the following:

- Use heavy-duty anchors or metal anchors designed for porous building materials.
- Drill holes with a hammer drill or, preferably, a rotary hammer to cleanly penetrate the plaster and into the brick.
- Structural safety is important: Check the load-bearing capacity of the wall at the intended drilling points.
- Loads are best distributed by installing multiple anchors spaced apart; at least two anchors per cabinet should be used.
- IKEA wall cabinets are usually mounted via metal hanging brackets. These should be anchored to a sturdy batten framework or directly into the wall.

If the wall is too fragile, an additional substructure made of wooden battens fixed to the wall can help better distribute the loads.

This approach prevents sudden pull-out failures and ensures a long-lasting attachment.

cassandra schrieb:
If the wall is too fragile, adding a wooden subframe to the wall could be useful to better distribute the loads.

This is a very valuable tip! I know the uncertainty from my own experience – old walls can be quite tricky, and there is always concern about whether everything will hold. The idea of a subframe provides extra security and can also look good if properly sanded or painted.

Personally, I used stronger anchors at the time, but ultimately, it was important for me not to rely solely on trust but to have a secure foundation. If you’re worried about sudden failure, it makes sense not to overload the cabinets and to regularly check that the brackets are still firmly in place – even if that sounds a bit inconvenient.

As I said, the combination of sturdy anchors and a wooden subframe can take away a lot of worries!