ᐅ How can I securely mount IKEA BESTA furniture on different types of walls?

Hello everyone, I am planning to assemble several IKEA BESTÅ furniture units at home and want to securely fix them to the walls. Since I have different wall types – including load-bearing concrete walls, drywall panels, and a non-load-bearing brick veneer – I am unsure which fixing methods and materials are best suited to safely and permanently attach the furniture. It is also important to me that the installation complies with IKEA’s guidelines while ensuring sufficient stability for everyday use. Could someone provide specific advice on how to securely mount BESTÅ furniture on these different wall types? I am especially interested in suitable types of anchors, screws, and any additional measures needed to prevent potential loads or vibrations. Thanks in advance for your help!

Basically, the secure installation of BESTÅ furniture largely depends on the wall material. For load-bearing concrete walls, I recommend universal anchors, such as nylon expansion anchors with an appropriate length to ensure good anchoring depth. Screws should match the anchors, usually with a diameter of 6 mm (0.24 inches). For drywall panels, cavity anchors like toggle or wing anchors are advisable, as typical universal anchors do not support sufficient load. For especially secure mounting, installing a reinforcement board behind the drywall is recommended, if possible. Facing brick walls are more challenging: if cavities are present, metal anchors or heavy-duty masonry anchors are helpful. It is always important to adjust the anchor length and screw thickness according to the furniture's weight load and the wall thickness. Additionally, all connections should be assembled precisely according to the instructions and reinforced with angle brackets if needed.

Great question, Kugikla! 😄 I often make the mistake of just driving all the screws into the wall without much thought—especially with drywall, which is no fun if it ends up falling apart. It’s better to take it slow and, especially with drywall, use hollow wall anchors! They even come with metal wings that hold really well if installed correctly. For concrete, use large nylon anchors or maybe even impact anchors if you want something really sturdy. Regarding BESTÅ: I've heard that some people also use tension braces or additional angle brackets to add extra support. That might be something to consider if the furniture will be heavily loaded. Good luck!

For concrete, use anchors and screws directly in the wall. For drywall, use toggle anchors. For masonry cladding, it is best to use heavy-duty anchors or metal sleeves. Angle brackets always help to increase stability.

I would like to add a few details, especially regarding preparation: Before installation, it is essential to check the wall for existing cables and pipes, including the floor area where the furniture will meet the wall. With drywall (often about 12.5 mm (0.5 inches) thick), the wall thickness is usually quite thin, so anchors must be specifically designed for this. For plastered brick walls, heavy-duty or metal anchors can be used. It is important to drill the anchor holes straight and clean to ensure proper holding strength. This is particularly important with BESTÅ units, where hinges and doors are often attached to the carcasses, as nothing should be loose. For very heavy or heavily loaded furniture, additional wall brackets are recommended to better distribute the weight. Finally, always use multiple fixing points to secure the furniture against tipping or swaying.

An additional note on fastening to drywall panels: Use only cavity anchors that are explicitly approved for drywall. Installing in drywall is always a compromise—if maximum stability is required, a substructure made of solid wood or metal should be installed first, and the BESTÅ should be attached to that. For concrete, it is recommended to pre-drill with a drill bit matched to the anchor size and to insert the anchors with a hammer. Facing walls can vary, as the material is sometimes porous, so a chemical anchor may be advisable in such cases. In any situation, following IKEA’s installation instructions is mandatory to ensure safety.