ᐅ Tips for Using Ikea Metod Kitchen Systems in Rental Apartments?

Hello everyone,

I will soon be moving into a new rental apartment and am interested in the Ikea Metod kitchen system. Since it is a rental, there are naturally some limitations regarding installation and use: for example, it is important to me not to make any structural changes that are difficult to reverse while staying as flexible as possible in case I want to take the kitchen with me later.

I would like to gather tips on how to best use Metod in rental apartments without causing problems with the landlord. Which mounting methods are particularly suitable? What should be considered when attaching shelves or cabinets to avoid marks or ensure they can be easily fixed? And how do you handle stability and safety, especially with taller cabinets?

I look forward to your experiences and recommendations for long-lasting and hassle-free use. Thanks in advance for your help!

plojakob schrieb:
I’m moving soon into a new rental apartment and I’m interested in the Ikea Metod kitchen system. Since it’s a rental, there are naturally some limitations when it comes to installation and use: for example, it’s important to me not to make any structural changes that are difficult to reverse, while also remaining as flexible as possible in case I want to take the kitchen with me later.

It’s interesting that you mention structural changes—that’s a really important point from my perspective. However, I often see the problem that users prioritize flexibility over the kitchen’s stability, which can lead to risks.

Of course, you can use many tricks to avoid screws or anchors, but how reliable is such a setup in daily use? Especially with tall Metod cabinets, it would be reckless not to secure them properly, even if only temporarily.

What specific measures are you planning for fastening? Have you already discussed with your landlord how much alteration is allowed? If not, I strongly recommend getting this agreed in writing beforehand—because the costs for restoring the space can quickly add up.

So: flexibility, yes—but not at any cost.

Hello plojakob,

Regarding your question, I’d like to give you a more detailed answer, as Ikea Metod requires a bit of a delicate approach, especially in rental apartments.

- First, I recommend working with freestanding base plinths and carcasses that don’t require wall mounting. This is less optimal for stability but prevents damage to the walls. If you place several cabinets together, you can stabilize them by connecting them with cabinet connectors.

- If you still want to mount the cabinets to the wall, use removable solutions such as screw fasteners with small anchors that are easy to remove – avoid heavy-duty wall anchors.

- When it comes to removal, use fillers or spackle that matches your wall color and is specially designed for rental properties. Proper preparation here is essential.

- Another good idea is to install a partition wall made of thin, lightweight panels behind the cabinets without damaging the actual wall. This even allows for residue-free installation.

- From a technical point of view, it’s important to always level the cabinets properly so that no tension builds up at the mounting points, which could damage the fasteners over time.

- It also makes sense to contact your landlord before installation to clarify in writing which screws or anchors are acceptable. Taking photos before and after installation can be helpful.

What type of wall material does your apartment have? Is it drywall (plasterboard), concrete, or possibly wood?

These details would really help to find the best solution.

Install Metod cabinet units on freestanding plinths, connect them to each other for stability, and avoid drilling into walls.

Use clamp or adhesive fasteners only for lightweight parts.

Check with your landlord beforehand for permissions.

I would like to add that when using Metod in rental apartments, choosing the right mounting materials is especially important.

- Use screws with small diameters and place them in existing drill holes to avoid causing new damage.

- For drywall, special cavity anchors are suitable; they are relatively easy to remove and leave minimal damage.

- For concrete walls, I recommend a combination of chemical adhesives and screws with anchors that can also be removed cleanly when moving out.

- If you plan to move the kitchen frequently, invest in sturdy connecting fittings between the cabinet units so you can move them as a single piece.

- For heavy wall cabinets, additional support from the base ensures greater stability.

Have you examined your wall construction closely? Sometimes it makes sense to know the exact type of substrate to really minimize damage.

What also helps is a good measuring tool; using a level and drill correctly prevents damage to adjacent components caused by crooked drilling.

I’m curious whether you plan the system for small kitchens or longer kitchen runs – this affects stability in many ways.