ᐅ How can I safely install IKEA Metod cabinets in rental apartments?

Hello everyone,

I am currently preparing to install IKEA Metod kitchens and cabinets in my rental apartment and am looking for advice on how to set them up securely and stably without causing any permanent damage to the building structure or walls. In rental properties, fastening can often be tricky because you don’t want to drill large holes or have to get the landlord’s approval for every small change.

My goal is to install the Metod cabinets so that they remain safely in place during daily use, even when they are taller or heavily loaded (for example, wall cabinets or tall units with appliances inside). I am particularly interested in:

- Which types of fastenings are sensible and safe when drilling is limited or not possible?
- Are there special, less invasive solutions suitable for rental apartments (e.g., fixings with minimal impact on the walls)?
- What should be considered when choosing screws and anchors, especially for different wall types (e.g., drywall, concrete, brick)?
- Are there internal IKEA or external recommendations that work better than what the manual suggests?

I would be very grateful for any tips. Ideally, I am looking for a combination of safety, functionality, and minimal effort or damage when removing the fixtures.

Best regards and thanks in advance!

Hello Lallo,

your topic is very practical, as Metod systems are not exactly easy to install and secure fastening is absolutely essential, especially in rental apartments.

Basically:

- The safest fastening is done through the wall, since a freestanding cabinet can wobble or even tip over under load. Only anchors and screws suitable for the wall type should be used: for drywall multiple anchors (hollow wall anchors), for concrete or brick classic nylon anchors depending on the hole size.

- If drilling is absolutely not allowed, alternatives such as narrow metal clamping rails (so-called Rubrail, although mainly intended for furniture walls) or bonding with assembly adhesive are possible, although the latter is not a permanent or load-bearing solution for larger cabinets.

- Another option is the use of special stabilizers or freestanding supports (e.g., with baseboards or ceiling braces) that do not require wall drilling, but stability might be limited.

- IKEA recommends always fixing upper cabinets to the wall, even though landlords do not always approve of this. With appropriately small holes and anchors, damage can usually be kept minimal.

- Screws should be galvanized or stainless, and anchors sized according to the load. The instructions provide minimum values to follow.

Conclusion: If wall drilling is completely impossible, I would consider freestanding solutions using ceiling or floor support. Otherwise, it is better to make small, well-planned drill holes and properly seal them when moving out.

Precise information about the wall materials would still be helpful to refine the advice.

usbla schrieb:
If drilling is absolutely not allowed, alternatives such as narrow metal clamping strips (so-called rubrails, although they are mainly intended for wall units) or bonding with mounting adhesive can be considered; however, the latter is not a permanent or load-bearing solution for larger cabinets.

I would generally question how reliable such bonding or clamping methods really are. Metod cabinets often carry heavy loads, and just their weight combined with daily use exerts significant forces on the fastenings.

Without drilling, many methods lose their reliability, increasing the risk of accidents or damage—especially if a tall cabinet tips over or detaches.

Therefore, my recommendation is to make a binding agreement with the landlord allowing minimal drilling at selected points and simultaneously present a plan for proper repair afterward (e.g., suitable filling and painting work).

In my experience, offering to professionally fix the drill holes when moving out usually helps ease concerns.

This is the only way to ensure safe and long-term use without compromising safety—particularly in the kitchen or tall cabinet areas, I would not recommend any experiments.

In addition to the previous posts, I would like to share my personal experience on how I was able to securely install IKEA Metod cabinets in a rental apartment without causing any issues with the landlord.

- Before installation, I checked the wall construction (drywall in a lightweight partition wall) and deliberately used cavity anchors that distribute the weight effectively.

- I made a brief verbal agreement with the landlord that I would properly repair the drill holes when moving out. This made it easier to get permission.

- Important: I attached the cabinets using the recommended screws from the instructions, not smaller or lighter ones.

- For especially heavy wall cabinets, I added cross battens on the underside that rest on the countertop to prevent tipping.

- Regarding stability: Make sure the wall is straight and check the alignment of the cabinets again after installation with a spirit level to avoid any unnecessary wobbling.

- For drywall, it’s advisable not to rely solely on anchors but to also use any studs in the wall if you can locate them with a small metal detector.

In short: Secure mounting in rental apartments is possible with a structured plan, involving the landlord (even casually), and using the correct anchors and screws. This keeps everything stable and also reversible.

If you have detailed wall information, I can gladly provide more specific recommendations.