ᐅ How do you securely attach Ikea Pax wardrobes to drywall (gypsum board/plasterboard)?

Hello everyone,

I am currently planning to install an Ikea Pax system in my apartment. The problem is that the wall where I want to attach the wardrobe is made of drywall panels. Since Ikea Pax units are relatively heavy and it is recommended for safety reasons to secure the wardrobe to the wall, my question is: What is the best way to fix an Ikea Pax to drywall so that the structure is stable and does not come loose? Which anchors or fastening methods are recommended when there are no load-bearing wooden studs behind the drywall?

I would appreciate concrete advice, possibly including personal experience and important points to consider. Thanks in advance!

bikipar schrieb:
How do you best secure Ikea Pax cabinets to drywall so that the structure is stable and does not come loose?

When attaching to drywall, it is essential to use appropriate anchors that can distribute the weight properly. For Ikea Pax, I recommend using special hollow wall anchors or heavy-duty anchors that are rated for gypsum board.

Detailed tips:
- Ideally, locate the wooden studs behind the drywall (for example, with a deep search magnet), as direct screwing into the studs is the safest method.
- If studs are not accessible, use at least three heavy-duty hollow wall anchors per wall bracket.
- Use screws with plastic or metal anchors that are approved for drywall and the corresponding load (usually a capacity of around 20 kg (44 lbs) per anchor).
- Be careful when drilling to avoid damaging or cracking the drywall.

Following these steps ensures secure and stable mounting.

I would like to add a brief guide:

1. Preparation: Measure precisely the position where the wall mounts for the Pax wardrobe will be installed.

2. Locate wooden studs: Use a magnet or cable detector to check if there are wooden studs behind the drywall.

3. If studs are found: Screw directly into the stud, ideally with 6-8 mm (1/4–5/16 inch) wood screws.

4. If no stud is present: Use cavity anchors (also called toggle bolts). These expand behind the drywall and distribute the load over a large area.

5. Drill a hole matching the diameter of the anchor, insert the cavity anchor, and fasten the mounting screw for the Pax wardrobe.

6. Check the load capacity of the anchors: The Pax load can easily reach 50 kg (110 lbs) or more, so install at least four to six cavity anchors in total.

7. After installation: Gradually increase the load, for example by applying gentle pressure against the wardrobe, to test its stability.

Common mistakes include using too few or too weak anchors, or screws that are too thin. Pay attention to the quality of all fastening materials.

I would like to go into more detail about the technical aspects.

Drywall panels mainly consist of a gypsum core with a paper facing, and their load-bearing capacity is limited. Therefore, a simple plastic anchor is not sufficient for loads like an Ikea Pax wardrobe, which can weigh around 100 kg (220 lbs) depending on the model and configuration.

Important points:
- Precisely locating the wall studs (wood or metal profiles) behind the drywall is crucial. An electronic stud finder combined with a strong magnet is helpful since metal elements are often hidden.
- Screwing directly into a wall stud provides very stable fastening and ensures high safety.

If no studs are reachable, heavy-duty hollow wall anchors must be used. Some recommended types are:
- Metal toggle anchors made of steel that lock behind the panel.
- Toggle bolts with large expansion mechanisms.

Be sure to follow the anchor manufacturers’ installation instructions regarding drill hole diameter and depth. Additionally:
- Use at least M6 screws for the fastenings to guarantee the load capacity.
- Avoid placing anchors too close together; maintain at least 10 cm (4 inches) spacing to reduce the risk of damaging the panels.

Finally: The Ikea Pax mounting brackets must be installed plumb and securely. The wardrobe is often tilted or loaded with weight. Shortened or improper fastening will not withstand the stresses and will cause damage to the wall or furniture.

For added safety: If you are unsure about the wall’s load capacity, an additional substructure, such as a load-bearing multiplex board behind the drywall, can help distribute the load. However, this approach is considerably more complex.

All fasteners on drywall require appropriate hollow wall anchors.

Screwing directly into the stud is the first choice.

Toggle bolts or toggle anchors are suitable solutions for open drywall areas.

Secure at a minimum of four points.

I was also a bit uneasy about the topic because I feared that everything might eventually fall off the wall. In my case, I screwed into the metal stud, which gave me the greatest security. If I hadn’t been able to hit a stud, I would have chosen the system with toggle bolts. It is important to me that the cabinet is fixed at multiple points, not just one. This way, the cabinet feels truly stable, and I never had the impression that it was coming loose.

I can also recommend working together with someone who has a bit more experience in DIY. All the tools, measurements, and the correct choice of anchors can quickly become frustrating otherwise.