ᐅ How can I securely mount IKEA PLATSA shelves on walls in older buildings?

Hello everyone,

I am planning to install several IKEA Platsa shelves in my older apartment because I need additional storage space. However, I am unsure how to securely and permanently fix the shelves to the typical walls of an older building. Most of my house still has the original solid brick walls, some partly covered with plaster, and I want to avoid causing any damage or compromising the stability.

Specifically, I am interested in:
- Which types of wall plugs are suitable for a reliable hold in these walls?
- Whether it is better to drill directly into the bricks or into the mortar joints?
- Any special precautions to consider with older walls (e.g., fragile plaster or cracks)?
- Recommendations on screw lengths, tools, and installation aids.

I have already read that Platsa shelves, with their modular components, require some additional considerations for mounting, especially when fully loaded. Who can share experience or give concrete tips on how to achieve a secure installation with minimal modifications?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

Hello novakin,

First of all, a great project! PLATSA shelves are very flexible, but attaching them to older building walls does require some planning. Here is a step-by-step guide that should help you:

- First, you should check if your wall is actually made of solid bricks and not, for example, drywall (plasterboard) with additional layers.

- For brick walls, nylon or metal expansion anchors are recommended. For a very strong hold, it's best to use anchors specifically designed for solid or hollow bricks (e.g., Fischer UX or SXR).

- Important: Do not drill into the mortar joints, as anchors will not hold reliably there. Drill directly into the bricks themselves for the best grip.

- The drill holes should be at least 60 mm (2.4 inches) deep, preferably 70 mm (2.8 inches), to allow the anchor to grip well.

- Pay attention to the anchor and screw diameter, which should match the load: for larger, heavier shelf units, at least 8 mm (0.3 inch) anchors and corresponding screws are necessary.

- Use a rotary hammer drill with an appropriate masonry bit to get clean holes – this makes inserting the anchors much easier.

- When drilling into plaster, be careful and, if necessary, stabilize the spot with a brush beforehand in case the plaster crumbles.

- When mounting the PLATSA shelves, carefully align the wall brackets using a level and do not overtighten the screws so that the anchors can set properly and no tension occurs.

This will provide the most secure fixing and ensure optimal load distribution.

If you have more details about your wall construction, feel free to share them, and I can provide more targeted advice.

Sepele schrieb:
For brick walls, nylon or metal expansion plugs are recommended. For very strong hold, it’s best to use plugs specifically designed for solid or perforated bricks (e.g., Fischer UX or SXR).

I would like to add that choosing the right type of plug is especially important for older buildings, as perforated bricks often have varying hole patterns. Alternatively, metal frame anchors can be used, which provide higher load capacity in older walls since they not only expand in the drilled hole but also distribute the load through the frame anchoring.

Sepele schrieb:
Do not drill into the mortar joints, as plugs will not hold reliably there. Drill directly into the bricks,

Absolutely correct. Mortar joints are usually made of porous mortar that does not provide lasting stability. An additional tip: if you’re planning heavily loaded shelves, it may be worthwhile to use wall anchors or chemical anchors (injection mortar anchors) as well. This method increases load capacity and prevents cracks in the plaster.

For the screws, a length of at least 70mm (3 inches) with an 8mm (5/16 inch) diameter is recommended to ensure sufficient material grip. Rotary hammers with SDS drill bits are actually standard for bricks to create clean and precise holes.

I also recommend distributing the load of the shelves evenly and not relying on just a few fixing points.

Brief and to the point:

- Drill holes only in the brick, not in the mortar joints.
- Use metal expansion anchors or chemical anchors as recommended.
- Screws should be at least 70 mm (2.75 inches) long.
- Always carefully check if the plaster holds on older walls.
- Tools: rotary hammer and suitable masonry drill bit.

Without these points, no stable fastening.

Hello novakin!

Great that you’re giving the PLATSA shelves a try—they’re brilliant and fit perfectly in older apartments! 😊

A little tip from my experience: sometimes the plaster can be quite crumbly, so don’t worry about that! Just apply a thin layer of primer or bonding agent beforehand; it noticeably strengthens the surface.

And very important: if possible, drill directly into the bricks or blocks, not into the mortar joints! Otherwise, nothing will hold properly—and that’s just frustrating later on.

If this is your first time, don’t get discouraged! Installing them is really fun, and with a bit of patience, the shelves will be rock solid! #DIYpower

Good luck!