ᐅ How do you secure Ikea Pax wardrobes to wood and concrete walls?

Hello everyone,

I’m planning to install an Ikea Pax wardrobe in my apartment and will be attaching it to two different wall types: a timber stud wall and a load-bearing concrete wall.

My specific question is: What is the best way to fix an Ikea Pax wardrobe to timber and concrete walls to ensure stability without damaging the walls? Which materials and anchors are recommended for each wall type, and are there any special installation steps or safety considerations that need to be followed?

I want to avoid the wardrobe tipping over or causing damage to the wall, so I am also interested in how to distribute the load most effectively.

I would appreciate detailed tips and experiences, including advice on tools or planning the fixing points in advance. Thanks in advance!

For timber stud walls, it is best to use long wood screws and fasten them directly into the load-bearing beams.

For concrete walls, heavy-duty anchors such as metal expansion anchors or bolt anchors are suitable. Do not forget to pre-drill with a proper masonry drill bit.

Always align with a spirit level and secure in at least two places.

Additional information:

For wood stud walls, the most important point is to attach the cabinet not only to the drywall or wooden paneling but to screw directly into the load-bearing wooden studs. It is best to test beforehand with a small nail or a long screw to ensure you are hitting the studs securely.

For concrete walls, flexible heavy-duty anchors such as Fischer SX anchors are suitable, or even better, metal anchors if the cabinet will be heavily loaded. It is important to clean out the drilled hole thoroughly to ensure the best hold.

Load distribution: It is best to distribute the mounting points as evenly as possible, with at least two on each wall side, as Pax cabinets are quite tall and heavy. Also, use the supplied wall-mounting brackets from Ikea – these are specifically designed for stabilization.

Tools required: cordless drill, masonry drill bit for concrete (matching the anchor), wood drill bit for wood stud walls, and a spirit level.

Safety aspect: Always secure the cabinet to the wall to prevent tipping, especially to protect children. Unsecured Pax cabinets can tip over easily and cause serious accidents.

pikin schrieb:
For concrete walls, flexible heavy-duty anchors, such as Fischer SX plugs, are suitable, or even better, metal anchors if the cabinet will be heavily loaded.

A counterpoint: Is it really necessary to use metal anchors immediately for a standard fully assembled Pax cabinet that might weigh around 80-100 kg (175-220 lbs)? In my experience, a high-quality plastic expansion anchor is often sufficient for concrete walls, provided it is installed correctly with the proper drill hole depth.

pikin schrieb:
Load distribution: It’s best to distribute the fixing points as evenly as possible, at least two per wall side, because Pax wardrobes are quite tall and heavy.

This is a very important remark that I want to emphasize. The cabinet should not only be secured at the top rear to the wall but, depending on its width, additional fixing points in the middle or lower areas are necessary to prevent warping or tipping.

An interesting related question: How does mounting behave on timber stud walls with thin cladding, for example, 12.5 mm (1/2 inch) drywall? Is fastening to the timber studs alone sufficient, or should additional back panels or reinforcements be considered?

I would also be interested to know if anyone has experience with special ISO screws or anchors for timber stud constructions that also eliminate sound bridges?

Looking forward to further factual assessments.