ᐅ Is there a guide on how to make Ikea PLATSA child-friendly?

Created on: 8 Jun 2022 14:07
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Belagau
Hello everyone,

I am currently looking into the Ikea PLATSA system because I want to find a child-friendly solution for our living room. My question to the community is: Are there any detailed guides or proven concepts for making Ikea PLATSA shelves and cabinets truly safe and suitable for children?

I am not only referring to preventing tipping and accident hazards but also to design tips that make it easier for children to access while maintaining stability and durability.

Does anyone know of secure installation methods, special accessories, or personal hacks that have proven effective in practice?

I look forward to your experiences and ideas!
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Jodyro
8 Jun 2022 16:40
Regarding edge protection: There are inexpensive foam profiles available at hardware stores that are easy to cut and install. They are very practical and immediately improve safety.

Always place the heavier elements at the bottom and the lighter ones on top. This reduces the risk of tipping.
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Belagau
8 Jun 2022 17:04
Lis53 schrieb:
Soft-close hinges are not typical for PLATSA, but there are compatible third-party retrofit solutions that are relatively easy to install.

Thank you, that was valuable information. Do you perhaps have a recommendation on how these retrofit solutions perform in everyday use?

Are these soft-close adapters very sensitive, or should one expect a lot of maintenance or installation issues?

I am also interested in potential problems with wall mounting: Which wall types tend to be problematic, and how do you deal with them? We have mainly drywall with a wooden stud wall behind it.
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FeAndreas1
8 Jun 2022 17:27
Belagau schrieb:
I am also interested in possible issues with wall mounting: Which wall types are problematic, and how do you solve this?

Very good question, Belagau!

With drywall (plasterboard) walls and wood stud framing, you generally have good chances for secure mounting as long as you align the anchor points precisely with the studs. Therefore, you should use a stud finder to locate the studs accurately beforehand.

Make sure not to use regular drywall anchors for mounting, but rather specialized heavy-duty anchors designed for wood or metal studs.

Regarding soft-close mechanisms: I recommend high-quality adapters from reputable manufacturers that resemble the original hinges. Installation is usually straightforward but requires precise alignment – so measuring carefully is important.

Maintenance is minimal; occasional adjustments are sufficient if the doors "settle" slightly.

If you want, I can send you a list of products I have personally used.
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Belagau
8 Jun 2022 18:12
FeAndreas1 schrieb:
If you want, I can send you a list of products I have used myself.

That would be great, thank you! Especially regarding suitable anchors and soft-close adapters, a recommendation would be very helpful.

I would also like to know if some solutions are particularly good for quick assembly, as I am not very experienced in furniture construction.
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Lis53
8 Jun 2022 18:45
Regarding your question about fastening to drywall with timber studs: the load per anchor should not exceed 25 kg (55 lbs), so the number of fixing points is crucial.

For Platsa, I recommend at least 4 fixing points per unit, distributed across the studs.

Soft-close adapters are available from brands like BLUM or SALICE. Installation is straightforward, as these adapters often feature quick-mounting capabilities.

However, when installing, you should follow the manufacturer’s assembly video carefully, since correct positioning is essential for proper function and durability.
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retau
9 Jun 2022 09:22
Hi everyone!

I just wanted to say briefly: I really appreciate how you’re sharing your experiences here!

We’ve had good experiences with PLATSA as well, and the combination of wall mounting, edge protection, and soft-close features gives us real security.

My children love to neatly store their toys by themselves, so we intentionally chose low compartments with colorful boxes. The storage is child-friendly and even fun!

I can only encourage you: With a bit of time spent on detailed work, PLATSA can be made wonderfully child-friendly!