ᐅ How can BILLY shelves be securely mounted to drywall (also known as plasterboard or gypsum board) walls?

From my experience, and for anyone planning to install a BILLY shelf on drywall: First, always check where the studs are located using a reliable stud finder or magnet. Screwing directly into a stud is always the safest option. Second, if there is only a drywall surface available, using metal toggle anchors (commonly known as molly bolts) usually provides sufficient support. These anchors expand behind the drywall, creating a large bearing surface. However, I recommend not loading the shelves on one side only and distributing the weight as evenly as possible horizontally. Third, screws should be at least 5cm (2 inches) long to ensure a secure hold in the anchor. If the wall seems very thin or weak, adding a substructure (wooden battens) on the wall side before covering can help. Then, attach the shelf to the stable substructure. This prevents the drywall from breaking out under long-term load.

Xaveriuspa schrieb:
Where there is no stud, these are purely drywall surfaces. How would you recommend proceeding in such cases?

I can confirm that where there is no stud behind the drywall, using molly anchors is the best option. It’s important to select the appropriate anchor for the board thickness—12.5 mm (0.5 inches) is standard. Also, make sure to fully expand and secure the anchors by installing them carefully before inserting the screw. For shelves with multiple levels, I additionally recommend attaching clamps or brackets at the bottom for extra stability. Another tip: Never just drill into drywall and install an anchor without testing its load capacity. If unsure, it’s better to use two anchors per fastening point to distribute the weight.

A secure installation of BILLY shelves on drywall always requires an understanding of the structural principles. As a general rule, the weight of the shelf plus its load should be distributed across multiple fastening points using several anchors. If studs are accessible, direct screwing into them is the safest method. Where only drywall is available, metal molly anchors are clearly the best option. These expand behind the panel and provide significantly more holding power than simple plastic anchors. Alternatively, a wooden substructure can be installed inside the wall to bridge the cavity and provide additional stability, which can then be attached to the studs. Although this involves more effort, it greatly increases safety and prevents later pull-out. In all cases, be sure to use appropriate screws (e.g., chipboard screws or sheet metal screws with good threading) and observe the correct torque when fastening to avoid overloading the material.