ᐅ How can I best install Ikea Metod cabinets in an older building?

Hello everyone, I am planning to install Ikea Metod kitchen cabinets in my older apartment and am looking for the best tips on how to proceed. I’m especially facing the challenge that the walls are quite uneven and the floor is not completely level, which could cause difficulties when mounting the cabinets. Additionally, I’m wondering how to securely attach the cabinets to the old walls, as some areas have plaster cracks and I’m worried the screws might not hold well enough. Does anyone have experience with Metod cabinets in older buildings and can offer recommendations on the best way to measure, level, and securely fasten them? Any advice on the installation order and whether special tools or additional materials should be used would also be very helpful. Thanks in advance for any assistance!

Dylanmeo schrieb:
I’m facing the particular challenge that the walls are quite uneven and the floor isn’t completely level, which could cause issues when installing the cabinets.

This is a common issue in older apartments. The first step is to carefully check the levels using a spirit level or, even better, a well-calibrated laser level. If you have uneven floors, I recommend using height-adjustable feet under the cabinets to compensate. For wall mounting, make sure to use appropriate anchors for older walls, such as expansion anchors or cavity anchors, depending on the wall material.

Dylanmeo schrieb:
Has anyone had experience with Metod in older buildings and can suggest the best ways to measure, level, and securely fix the cabinets?

When measuring, it’s helpful to take measurements in separate sections of the room rather than relying solely on overall dimensions, as the walls are often not perfectly square. It’s best to cut a cardboard template beforehand to make any necessary adjustments before installing the cabinets. Installation order: first attach the upper cabinets, then the base cabinets—this usually provides better stability. If possible, fix the Metod frames directly into solid masonry and not just into the plaster.

Dylanmeo schrieb:
I’m particularly facing the challenge that the walls are quite uneven and the floor isn’t completely level, which could cause problems when installing the cabinets.

Hey, that sounds like an exciting project! Installing Metod cabinets in an older building is like a good puzzle, sometimes with a few missing pieces 😉. My advice: first place the cabinets loosely and try different adjustable feet. There are really great leveling tools available that can compensate for almost any slight angle.

Dylanmeo schrieb:
how to best securely fasten the cabinets to the old walls, since some of the plaster has cracks and I’m worried that the screws might not hold properly.

It’s a bit like at the doctor’s — don’t rely on first impressions! I’d be very careful with the plaster cracks and try to find deeper, solid layers first. If the wall is too crumbly, chemical anchors or small wooden backing plates can help distribute the load more evenly. Safety first, or the cabinet might eventually fall on your feet!

Oh, and the screwdriver will be your best friend. Good luck!

sarlo schrieb:
If you have unevenness in the floor, I recommend using adjustable feet under the cabinets to level them out.

That’s already a very good approach. I would like to add a few points and also provide a brief step-by-step guide on how to proceed most effectively:

- Measure the room dimensions and check floor and wall levelness precisely using a spirit level or laser level.
- Decide where each cabinet will be placed and create a template for the installation points, for example using cardboard.
- Mount the wall-mounting rails (Metod support rails) at the most stable spots, for example directly into the masonry rather than just on plaster.
- Use special heavy-duty anchors or chemical anchors for crumbly walls.
- Use adjustable feet and, if necessary, spacers behind the cabinets to compensate for any unevenness.
- Hang the upper cabinets first, then install the base cabinets, to ensure a clean finish.
- Regularly check with a spirit level throughout the process.

One more tip: Take your time adjusting everything, since in older buildings you often can’t rely on measuring tools from the box to be perfectly accurate. It’s quite normal to have to sand or make some adjustments.

JORDON schrieb:
I would be really cautious about cracks in the plaster and first try to find deeper, load-bearing layers.

A very important note. However, I would like to add that not every "load-bearing layer" necessarily has to be masonry. Especially in older buildings with timber framing and plastered drywall, you need completely different fastening solutions compared to solid masonry.

So if you simply embed heavy-duty wall plugs into crumbly old plaster, you risk the cabinet becoming loose later on. It is worth testing the wall structure before installation by gently tapping (using a tuning fork or tapping with a wooden stick) or drilling small holes to check how the substrate feels.

Regarding installation:
- For load-bearing masonry, using nylon expansion anchors or hammer drive anchors is recommended.
- For less load-bearing walls, chemical anchors or special hollow wall anchors are the better choice.

One more tip: Metal profiles can also be installed behind the wall (if renovation is possible) to better distribute the load. Although more complex, this can be very useful in the long term, especially for heavy modular cabinet combinations.