ᐅ How can I securely install Ikea Metod wall cabinets on drywall (plasterboard) walls?

Hello everyone,

I am facing the challenge of securely installing Ikea Metod wall cabinets on drywall. Since I am used to solid walls, I want to make sure the cabinets are really stable and won’t start tilting or damage the wall over time.

My drywall sometimes has wooden studs behind it, but other times only metal studs with gypsum boards. I’m unsure how to best locate the fixing points or where to drill, whether special anchors are needed, and how to properly support the weight of the Metod cabinets.

The goal is to hang the cabinets so they hold firmly over time without the boards breaking out or the structure coming loose. Does anyone have concrete tips on which fasteners or anchors are best, especially regarding drywall with metal framing? Or experience with similar installations of Ikea Metod?

I look forward to your answers!

Hello,

when working with drywall and metal studs, be sure to use special metal hollow wall anchors. Preferably those with an expanding or toggle mechanism designed for steel profiles. It is important to install the anchors exactly according to the manufacturer's instructions and to pay attention to their load-bearing capacity. Wooden studs can be fastened simply from the inside using screws.

Regards

Hello lanofra,

I would like to provide some detailed advice on the safe installation of Metod wall cabinets on drywall (gypsum board) walls. Your question addresses a topic that is often underestimated, especially the combination of metal studs and gypsum board, which can be tricky.

First of all, you should make absolutely sure where the supporting framework is located. Use a high-quality multi-detector that reliably shows metal studs. Ideally, the wall cabinets should be screwed directly into the metal rails, not just into the gypsum board.

If you want to screw into metal studs, self-tapping metal screws (e.g., self-drilling sheet metal screws) are often better than cavity anchors. Cavity anchors usually have low load capacity on thin metal. If you’re not sure whether the screws will grip in the studs, there are also toggle-type metal cavity anchors that flip open behind the studs, providing a large surface area for holding.

For wooden studs, installation is simpler: drill directly through the gypsum board into the wood and secure with sufficiently strong screws, preferably with washers.

Important: The cabinets carry significant weight, especially when loaded. Therefore, I recommend the following points:

- Use at least two fixing points per cabinet
- Choose screws and anchors with adequate load capacity (check manufacturer specifications)
- Do not overtighten screws to avoid damaging the gypsum board

Finally, if your cabinet is mounted on a wall section with metal studs and another with wood studs, consider distributing the weight evenly.

Can you say what kind of screws and anchors you have planned so far? Are there any specific plans yet?

Hey lanofra!

It’s great that you’re thinking things through beforehand – that’s really important, otherwise you might end up with the cabinet stuck to the wall instead of hanging. 😅

Here’s a little tip with a wink: I mounted my Metod cabinets on drywall, and where there were metal studs, I used toggle anchors – they’re great because they open up behind the wall and provide a lot of surface area. Where there were wooden beams, I just screwed directly into them, no problem.

Another helpful trick: do a small weight test with the cabinet on the wall first and hang a few books inside – that way you can see if everything is secure.

Good luck! And always screw in gently, drywall is a delicate material 😅

DIGOREN schrieb:

When working with drywall and metal studs, be sure to use special metal cavity anchors. Preferably ones with an expanding or toggle mechanism designed for steel profiles.

Thanks for the tip! I’m wondering if regular cavity anchors that I already have at home might be sufficient here? I’ve seen that there are specific ones for metal studs – do you think that’s really necessary, or are the regular cavity anchors just as good if I’m a bit more careful about the cabinet weight?

Parbo schrieb:

The wall cabinets should ideally be screwed directly into the metal studs, not just the drywall.

That’s a very helpful suggestion – what’s the best way to locate where the metal studs run? I have a basic metal detector, but it’s not always reliable.

vin_leo schrieb:

I mounted my Metod cabinets on drywall, and where there were metal studs, I used so-called toggle anchors – they’re great because they open up behind and provide a large surface area.

I haven’t seen these toggle anchors before – could you describe them in more detail? I’d like to understand how they work, and what happens when you screw them in.

Thanks in advance to everyone!

Additional information:

Toggle anchors (also called toggle bolts) are indeed the best choice for thin metal studs behind drywall panels. They spread open behind the panel and distribute the load over a larger area.

It is important that you determine the exact position of the metal framework BEFORE inserting the anchors. Standard stud finders can have difficulties with this because metal studs are very narrow and often only 0.6-1 mm (0.02-0.04 inches) thick.

Tip: Hold the device at a slight angle and take multiple measurements, possibly from two sides. Another option is to carefully test suspicious spots with a small drill bit.

Once the metal studs are precisely located, you can screw directly into them, ideally using self-drilling metal screws that offer good tensile strength.

If you cannot find any studs, toggle anchors are still ideal because they distribute the load across the cavity. However, be sure to observe the maximum load capacity and not exceed it.