ᐅ How can I securely attach IKEA Pax wardrobes to drywall (plasterboard) walls?

Hello everyone,
I am planning to assemble a large IKEA Pax wardrobe in my bedroom soon. The problem is that the wall where the wardrobe will stand is entirely made of drywall (plasterboard), so it is not a load-bearing solid wall. My main question is: How can I ensure that the Pax wardrobe is securely and permanently fixed to the drywall so that it doesn’t tip over or damage the wall anchors due to its weight?

I am especially interested in:
- Which wall anchors or fastening systems are most suitable
- Whether and how I might use a wooden batten framework behind the drywall for additional support
- If there are any other considerations, such as load limits or additional safety measures

I want to avoid any risks and would appreciate concrete tips or personal experiences, including advice on common mistakes to avoid when fastening. Thanks in advance!

Hello Ronjo4,

Your question is very important because when it comes to furniture like the IKEA Pax, which can be quite heavy and large, you shouldn't underestimate the importance of securing it properly to drywall.

Here are some basic points and steps you should consider:

- 1. Choosing drywall anchors: Standard toggle anchors or cavity anchors are often not sufficient for very heavy loads like a Pax wardrobe. Heavy-duty metal cavity anchors (also called toggle bolts) are recommended. They provide good support but should definitely be rated for the weight of your wardrobe.

- 2. Load distribution: A single anchor usually cannot support the entire weight. Place anchors near structural elements when possible, or distribute the weight across multiple anchors.

- 3. Reinforcing the drywall: Especially if there are wooden studs behind the drywall (which is often the case), try to install anchors into these studs, as they provide much stronger support than drywall alone.

- 4. Wooden battens or mounting plates: If there are no studs or the attachment points are inconveniently located, you can mount a strong wooden batten horizontally at several points (using suitable anchors) before assembling the wardrobe, then fix the wardrobe to this batten. This helps distribute the load and increases holding strength.

- 5. Alternative safety measures: Sometimes it makes sense to support or screw the wardrobe at the top against the ceiling. This prevents tipping and increases stability.

Common mistakes are:
- Using only cheap plastic anchors that are not rated for the weight
- Not placing anchors into load-bearing elements
- Fixing the furniture at only one point

If you want, I can send you a short checklist of anchor brands or types that have proven reliable and which screw sizes you should look out for.

Hope this helps you for now!

feklo schrieb:
Some basic things or steps you should consider:

I would like to agree with this and add some further details:

Since drywall panels alone do not have high load-bearing capacity, the anchoring method is crucial.

Step 1: Check whether there are wood studs or metal profiles behind the drywall.

- You can quickly locate them using a common stud finder.

- Fastening directly into these studs is always preferable because they transfer the load directly into the wall’s structural framework.

Step 2: Choose anchors and drill holes appropriate for the weight and wall thickness.

- For standard 12.5 mm (1/2 inch) drywall panels, expansion anchors with sufficient load capacity are recommended, such as metal hollow-wall anchors (molly bolts) with large expansion zones.

- Make sure the anchors have adequate thickness and length so that they expand widely behind the panel to distribute the load.

- The screw diameter should be at least M6 to support the weight of Pax wardrobe units.

Step 3: Additional reinforcement using wooden battens or mounting plates.

- These should be attached over a wide area with multiple hollow-wall anchors.

- Wooden battens spread the load so that it is not borne by the drywall anchors alone.

Step 4: Connection between wardrobe and wall, and overall wardrobe stability.

- The Pax wardrobe should not only be secured to the wall but also stand securely on its rear feet or by using leveling shims.

- This further reduces the risk of tipping.

A small note: For extremely heavy wardrobes or when connecting wide wardrobe units, it is advisable to consult a professional to ensure that the wall construction can support the weight.

One more question for Ronjo4: Do you know the thickness of your drywall panels and whether there are wood studs or metal profiles? This would help to give more precise recommendations.

kla69 schrieb:
One more question for Ronjo4: Do you know the thickness of your drywall panels and whether you have wooden studs or metal framing? That would help for precise recommendations.

Thanks for the detailed feedback!

The panels are standard drywall, 12.5 mm (1/2 inch) thick, installed on a metal stud wall. I checked with a stud finder; the metal studs are spaced about 60 cm (24 inches) apart. There are no wooden battens behind the surface, just the usual metal stud framework.

I’m thinking of attaching a horizontal batten that I can fix to the metal studs and then mount the cabinet on that.

Are there specific metal hollow wall anchors you prefer for metal studs? I was considering regular toggle bolts but am not sure if they provide too much or too little hold in metal studs, since they’re usually recommended for wood substrates.

Also, how do you estimate the maximum load per anchor in such a case so I can plan the number of anchors accordingly?

Looking forward to your advice!