ᐅ How do I attach Malm furniture to drywall?

Hello everyone,

I have several Malm dressers from Ikea that I would like to attach to drywall panels, as I live in a rental apartment and stability and safety are important.

My specific questions are: Which anchors or fastening methods are best suited for drywall to securely fix the furniture? Should I drill directly into the metal studs behind the drywall? Or are special hollow wall anchors sufficient? Are there any particular precautions to take to avoid damaging the wall while still ensuring a secure attachment?

I would appreciate a detailed explanation, possibly with recommendations for suitable anchors or techniques. Thanks in advance!

anluis schrieb:
Which anchors or fixing methods are best suited for securing furniture to drywall?

First and foremost: load distribution for Malm furniture should not be underestimated, especially when fully loaded. A standard cavity anchor for drywall often cannot bear the necessary load.

I am skeptical about the idea of drilling directly into the metal studs, as many of them are thin and not designed for heavy loads. It should be carefully verified whether the studs can support the weight.

Does anyone have reliable figures or experience regarding which types of anchors are specifically sufficient for fully loaded Malm furniture?

Hello anluis,

I completely understand your concern. For drywall (plasterboard) walls, metal hollow wall anchors or toggle bolts are commonly used. These anchors expand behind the cavity, providing a larger bearing surface.

If you can drill into the metal stud (the framing profiles), that is definitely the safest option—provided your drill hits the stud precisely and not just the drywall beside it.

Recommendation: Always choose stronger and more durable fixings. Instead of simple plastic anchors, use metal toggle bolts. They hold much better.

For example, I have had good experiences with Würth metal toggle anchors for similarly heavy furniture.

And very important: use suitable screws with a minimum diameter of 5mm (0.2 inches).

anluis schrieb:
Should I drill directly into the metal studs of the drywall? Or are special hollow wall anchors sufficient?

It’s worth inspecting the wall carefully before attaching anything. Metal studs or wooden frames are usually spaced about 60 cm (24 inches) apart.

1. Step: Use an accurate multi-detector to mark the studs or beams on the wall to determine their exact position.

2. Step: Attaching directly to the studs is always preferable, as the load is carried by the structural elements, not the gypsum board.

3. Step: If you cannot find a stud in the right spot, special hollow wall anchors can be used. I recommend metal toggle anchors or so-called "Molly bolts."

4. Step: Pay attention to the load ratings of the anchors. A standard expansion anchor does not hold enough; for heavy furniture, loads of 50–70 kg (110–155 lbs) per fixing point are realistic.

Additionally, I suggest using multiple screws per piece of furniture – this distributes the load better and reduces risk.

Feel free to provide more precise measurements of the furniture and wall thickness, and I can give a more detailed recommendation.

Metal toggle bolts are great. Drill the hole, insert the toggle, then securely fasten the screw. If metal studs are available, it’s better to fasten directly into them. Otherwise, the hold is only limited.

kaubi schrieb:
Fastening in the profiles is always preferable, as the load is carried by the supporting elements, not by the gypsum.

This is a reasonable statement, but I also recommend thoroughly checking the profile thickness. Profiles that are too thin can bend or the screws may loosen.

If you want to be absolutely sure, the load distribution should also be addressed with additional hangers or anchors.