ᐅ How can I securely mount Ikea Metod wall cabinets on drywall (plasterboard) without causing damage?

Hello everyone,

I am planning to install several Ikea Metod wall cabinets in my kitchen. The challenge is that the wall is made of drywall (gypsum board). I want to securely fix the cabinets without damaging the wall or having to drill new holes frequently, as I might want to rearrange them later.

I am interested in which mounting solutions are recommended for these relatively heavy cabinets specifically for drywall, aiming to minimize drilling while still ensuring a high load capacity.

Does anyone have experience with special anchors, metal support frames, or other techniques to hang Ikea Metod wall cabinets securely and in a wall-friendly way? I look forward to tips and recommendations regarding material selection and procedure!

Fudeo38 schrieb:
I am interested in which fastening solutions are recommended specifically for drywall (plasterboard) walls for these comparatively heavy cabinets, in order to minimize drilling while still guaranteeing a high load capacity.

Hey, that’s really a good question! Drywall (plasterboard) isn’t exactly ideal for heavy wall cabinets, but there are a few tricks: The most important thing is using the right heavy-duty anchors, such as metal anchors (thread-cutting) – they hold a lot of weight and can be removed cleanly.

Alternatively, you can also use special hollow wall metal anchors or toggle bolts that open up behind the panel and distribute the load better. Even better is to mount directly to the wall studs (wood or metal profiles, if available) – that really holds everything very securely.

If that’s not possible, it’s worth installing a sturdy wooden or metal batten on the wall, fixed with several anchors. You then mount the cabinets onto that – it distributes the load very well and makes the wall less vulnerable.

Sure, it’s a bit more effort, but with the right solution everything holds up great and your drywall stays intact without cracks or unnecessary holes 😉

Be sure to use metal anchors with high load capacity.

If possible, screw into the wall studs behind the drywall.

If those are not accessible, attach a wooden batten horizontally and fasten the cabinets to it.

LUKO45 schrieb:
The most important thing is to use the right heavy-duty anchors, such as so-called metal anchors (self-tapping) – these hold up well and can be removed cleanly.

Thanks for the tip about the metal anchors. I’m wondering if these are also suitable for double drilling into drywall without causing too much damage to the board?

I ask because the cabinets are relatively heavy, and each cabinet requires several fixing points. Is there a recommendation on how many anchors should be installed per cabinet to properly distribute the weight?

George schrieb:
If those aren’t accessible, attach a wooden batten horizontally and fix the cabinets to that.

The idea of the wooden batten sounds interesting. Could someone describe exactly how to do this best? Including ideal dimensions or materials, and how to avoid it looking too bulky? Thanks!

Fudeo38 schrieb:
Is there a recommendation on how many wall anchors should be used per cabinet at minimum to ensure the weight is well distributed?

This is a key issue because the load distribution depends not only on the number of anchors but also on their placement and the quality of the fastening. An Ikea Metod wall cabinet can quickly weigh 15–20 kg (33–44 lbs), plus contents easily adding up to 30 kg (66 lbs) or more.

It is recommended to use at least three to four mounting points per cabinet, if possible spread out horizontally—in a triangular or rectangular pattern—to counteract tipping forces. The spacing between anchors should not be too close to avoid concentrating the load on the drywall only locally.

LUKO45 schrieb:
Even better if you align the mounting on the wall studs (wood or metal profiles, if available) – that will hold everything very securely.

It should be noted that you need to check whether mounting to wall studs is actually possible. Depending on the type of stud (metal or wood), appropriate toggle anchors or chipboard screws are necessary.

The option with a wooden batten is a practical solution, provided it is flush-mounted and anchored to the wall with suitable heavy-duty wall anchors. Suitable materials include a roughly 40–60 mm (1.5–2.5 inches) thick, knot-free wooden strip or a plywood board that is at least as wide as the cabinet.

Alternatively, you could experiment with special cavity anchors; however, caution is always advised with drywall panels, as these building boards are not designed to carry extremely heavy loads.