ᐅ Ikea BESTA: What is the best way to securely mount it to the wall?

Hello everyone, I recently purchased an IKEA BESTÅ shelving system and want to securely attach it to the wall. Since the modules are quite large and heavy, I want to be sure to prevent any unwanted tipping or even falling. My wall is a typical concrete masonry construction with plaster, and I’m wondering which fixing materials and methods are best suited for this situation. Are there specific wall plugs or screws that are especially recommended for the BESTÅ system? Also, how many fixing points should be used at a minimum to ensure sufficient stability? I know that IKEA provides their own mounting hardware, but I’ve heard that it is often not ideal. I would appreciate any tips on what tools I should use and whether it’s worth adding extra reinforcements. Thanks in advance for your support!

Hi Roro64, I completely understand how important it is to securely fasten something like this, especially given the weight and size of the BESTÅ system.

Roro64 schrieb:
Are there any special anchors or screws that are particularly recommended for the BESTÅ system?

In general, I find it best to work with solid walls using good quality expansion anchors or even chemical anchors if the material allows. The anchors provided by IKEA are usually only meant for very light loads and not for heavy furniture. It’s also important to me to choose fastening points that distribute the weight evenly.

I personally installed my shelves using high-quality nylon expansion anchors that provide enough load capacity, combined with wood or metal screws of the appropriate length. I aligned everything very precisely with a spirit level because uneven installation is definitely not an option. Are you able to drill into your wall without any issues? In my rental apartment, some walls were not that sturdy, so I added small metal brackets for extra support.

How are you installing yours currently?

For concrete walls, I recommend using 8mm (5/16 inch) hammer anchors and 6mm (1/4 inch) screws. Use at least 4 fixing points per element. More is better if the wall allows it. Work with a good drill and a spirit level.

For secure wall mounting of the IKEA BESTÅ system on masonry, the following should be considered:

- Use high-strength anchors (e.g., nylon expansion anchors, or chemical anchors for areas with higher loads).
- Screws should be at least 5mm (0.2 inches) in diameter and long enough to be firmly embedded in both the anchor and masonry (minimum 50mm (2 inches) embedment depth).
- Mounting points are ideally located at the corners and centered above the furniture units to ensure even load distribution.
- Ensure the wall surface is load-bearing and level; if not, appropriate surface leveling is recommended beforehand.
- The included IKEA mounting hardware is rarely sufficient for permanent, safety-critical fixings.
- Recommendation: Perform a drill test before installation to rule out hazards (such as electrical wiring or structural weaknesses).

This approach minimizes the risk of tipping and falling accidents and ensures the necessary stability.

RENMA schrieb:
The attachment points are ideally located at the corners and centered above the furniture units for an even load distribution.

I wanted to mention exactly that! I have personally noticed that the load becomes too high quickly if you only attach on two sides. I would also like to add that especially with tall BESTÅ units in restaurant settings or with frequent use, it makes sense to additionally connect the modules to each other using the supplied connectors. This further improves load distribution.

Additionally, I have experimented with so-called 'Allen barrel nuts,' which are often included in IKEA connector sets. These allow you to connect the modules to each other more securely before mounting them to the wall.

For me, this has all worked well, and I think this is how you achieve a very sturdy and, above all, safe wall attachment. Hopefully, this helps with your planning!