Hello everyone, I bought an IKEA Malm dresser and I want to securely fasten it to the wall to prevent it from tipping over—especially since I have small children at home. The IKEA instructions include a safety kit, but I’m not sure if that’s enough or if there are better ways to mount the dresser more firmly and safely. Has anyone had experience with wall mounting the Malm dresser? Which anchors and screws are suitable, and what is the best way to attach it, particularly on drywall (plasterboard) walls? I would appreciate detailed tips and perhaps a step-by-step guide or advice on important things to keep in mind.
Thanks to everyone so far, this has been very helpful! Now I have a very specific question: If I install two fixing points, how far apart should they be to distribute the load optimally? And how exactly should I drill when the wall has metal studs? Obviously, I want to avoid accidentally drilling into a stud and weakening it. Is there a trick to prevent damage to the studs when using a drill? I imagine I might need to drill into the cavities.
Good questions!
The spacing between the fixing points should ideally be about 30 to 50 cm (12 to 20 inches), depending on the width of the dresser (the Malm is usually about 80 cm (31.5 inches) wide). This helps to distribute the tipping force evenly.
Regarding the metal profile: The problem is that you can’t reliably detect metal using a wood drill bit, and drilling into metal can weaken the structure. Ideally, use a metal detector (magnet or electronic scanner) that clearly shows where the profiles are located.
If you drill holes directly into the metal profiles, this usually does not significantly reduce their stability as long as the holes are small (maximum 8 mm (0.3 inches)) and centered. But of course, you can avoid this:
- Drill the holes into the cavity between the metal studs, where you then insert hollow wall anchors.
- A trick is to drill at a slight angle to avoid hitting a profile.
Important: The stability of the anchors depends on the metal stud profile and the wall cladding, so the thicker the drywall panels, the better.
If you are unsure, it can also help to fix the dresser to a solid wall with anchors and, if necessary, support it on one side with additional brackets.
The spacing between the fixing points should ideally be about 30 to 50 cm (12 to 20 inches), depending on the width of the dresser (the Malm is usually about 80 cm (31.5 inches) wide). This helps to distribute the tipping force evenly.
Regarding the metal profile: The problem is that you can’t reliably detect metal using a wood drill bit, and drilling into metal can weaken the structure. Ideally, use a metal detector (magnet or electronic scanner) that clearly shows where the profiles are located.
If you drill holes directly into the metal profiles, this usually does not significantly reduce their stability as long as the holes are small (maximum 8 mm (0.3 inches)) and centered. But of course, you can avoid this:
- Drill the holes into the cavity between the metal studs, where you then insert hollow wall anchors.
- A trick is to drill at a slight angle to avoid hitting a profile.
Important: The stability of the anchors depends on the metal stud profile and the wall cladding, so the thicker the drywall panels, the better.
If you are unsure, it can also help to fix the dresser to a solid wall with anchors and, if necessary, support it on one side with additional brackets.
Hey Lissar42, I had exactly the same problem and used two hollow metal anchors from Fischer! 🙂 It worked really well for me; I drilled the holes exactly between the studs using a metal detector.
I reinforced the IKEA mounting system by using not just one, but two screws with the anchors.
One more tip: after drilling, use a vacuum cleaner to remove the dust—this helps the anchors hold even better. Good luck, you’ve got this!
I reinforced the IKEA mounting system by using not just one, but two screws with the anchors.
One more tip: after drilling, use a vacuum cleaner to remove the dust—this helps the anchors hold even better. Good luck, you’ve got this!
B
barEsperan2 May 2021 15:21Not to forget: Do not overtighten the screws, otherwise the anchor will spin inside the cavity. First insert the screw loosely, then tighten it until it is secure.
Wyatt schrieb:
to be supplemented with mounting foam behind the dresser if the gap to the wall is somewhat largeThis is an important tip. Mounting foam can further improve stability by preventing the dresser from twisting and moving. Just apply the foam into the gap and wait for it to cure. Secure the dresser beforehand to ensure it stays in the perfect position while drying.
Thank you for the valuable advice, I feel much more confident now. One last thing: Which type of screw would you recommend? Hex head, Phillips, or Torx? I have heard of Torx, but IKEA usually includes Phillips screws. Are there any differences in safety or durability when it comes to wall mounting?
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