ᐅ Ikea Besta – How can I securely mount it to drywall (plasterboard) walls?

Hello everyone, I am planning to install an Ikea Besta system on a drywall and want to make sure everything is stable and durable. My drywall consists of double-layered 12.5 mm (0.5 inch) gypsum boards, with standard wooden studs spaced 60 cm (24 inches) apart behind them. My specific question is: How can I securely attach the Besta shelving unit to the drywall without damaging the wall or risking the shelf falling down? Which anchors or fastening methods would you recommend, especially for a wall cabinet version that will bear greater weight? I would appreciate any advice on materials, screw lengths, and mounting strategies, as I have read that many regular anchors are not sufficient. Thanks in advance!

Great question! 🎉 I have a Besta unit mounted on drywall myself and can say: nothing works without good heavy-duty anchors! I always use Fischer DuoPower or similar – they are real workhorses! 💪 It’s also important, if possible, to fasten the screws into the wooden studs behind, because drywall alone can’t hold much weight. The best approach is to first locate the wooden studs using a metal detector or stud finder, then pre-drill there. After that, insert the anchors and then the screws. This way, the shelf can easily support heavier loads! Good luck, you’ve got this! 😊

Hello Bopo36, to address your question specifically: the load-bearing capacity of drywall (gypsum board) walls is always a critical issue, especially for an Ikea Besta, which is often loaded quite heavily. Ideally, screws should be anchored into the wooden studs behind the drywall, because drywall alone can hardly support any weight. So, if you find the position of the studs (e.g., using a stud finder), drill holes directly at those spots and use appropriate chipboard screws or wood screws. If fastening directly to the drywall surface is necessary, then use special cavity anchors or metal anchors that expand behind the drywall (e.g., metal toggle bolts or spring toggles). These distribute the load better across the surface but are always less load-bearing than anchoring into wood. The screw length should reach at least 60 mm (2.4 inches) into the supporting material, in addition to the thickness of the drywall. I also recommend distributing several fixing points across the entire width of the furniture to better support the load.

First, locate the wooden studs using a suitable stud finder, then pre-drill and screw directly into the studs. Use chipboard screws for this. If that is not possible, use heavy-duty metal toggle anchors.

Hello Bopo36, I’d like to add that it also depends on how much weight you want to store in your Besta unit. Shelves holding books or heavy items definitely need to be fastened into the wooden studs, as drywall (plasterboard) won’t support that weight otherwise! For lighter items and if you can’t locate any studs, metal wall anchors or toggle bolts work very well. It’s important to always pre-drill carefully and avoid making the anchor holes too tight, since that can reduce the holding strength. If you’re unsure, you can try test drilling with a small piece of drywall to get a feel for it. I also recommend distributing the load across several fastening points as much as possible.

Hi Bopo36 😊, for a secure installation on drywall (plasterboard), the key is to screw directly into the wooden studs! 🏹 The panels themselves are like cotton candy – they hold their shape well but will tear under weight. Here’s how I did it: first, I used a stud finder to locate the studs, then screwed directly into them! If you can’t find wood everywhere, skip the drywall anchors and go straight to the studs. And hey, the screws can comfortably be about 7 cm (3 inches) long to ensure a strong grip. That guarantees a secure hold. My secret tip: a tape measure and plenty of enthusiasm! 😄