ᐅ What assembly tips are there for IKEA BRIMNES furniture in rental apartments?

Hello everyone,

I’m moving into a rental apartment soon and plan to set up furniture from the IKEA Brimnes series. Since I don’t want or am not allowed to damage the walls, I’m looking for installation tips that are especially suitable for rental properties.

I’m particularly interested in secure mounting options that leave little to no marks but still ensure stability – especially for tall cabinets. Perhaps there are also clever alternatives to traditional wall plugs or advice on combining furniture pieces to keep everything steady.

Does anyone have experience or recommendations that are both practical and rental-friendly?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

Nausin schrieb:
Does anyone here have experience or recommendations that are both practical and apartment-friendly?

You can definitely do this! I personally often use clamp mounts or so-called "furniture butlers" (wall stops) without drilling – great for rental apartments! 😊

And for slanted walls or if you don’t want to drill into the wardrobe, the stabilizers that IKEA provides to lean against the wall work well. They are practical and easy to remove.

Important: Always make sure the wardrobe stands securely – especially if there are children or pets in the home. Safety comes first! Don’t worry, it’s not that complicated when you use the right aids!

Nausin schrieb:
I am especially interested in secure mounting options that leave little to no marks

From a technical perspective, the following options are available for installing BRIMNES furniture in rental apartments:

- Using removable clamp or tension devices that do not require drilling holes
- Using non-slip pads or rubber feet under the furniture to improve stability
- Using adjustable tension rods between the cabinet and ceiling as an alternative to wall anchoring
- If drilling is necessary, using appropriate anchors (e.g., hollow wall anchors) that create clean holes and can be easily patched

It is important to ensure load-bearing points and tipping protection, as BRIMNES furniture can easily tip over, especially when doors are open.

When moving out, small drill holes can often be sealed without a trace using filler and paint.

Very good topic! I would like to add some technical details that are relevant when assembling BRIMNES furniture, especially in rental apartments:

- The back panel of BRIMNES dressers is usually thin and mainly serves to stabilize the piece. Therefore, fastening should be done through the side panels or designated metal supports.

- For rental apartments, I recommend choosing screw holes that can be easily filled later. A 5mm (3/16 inch) drill bit and small wall plugs that cause minimal damage to the wall work best.

- Alternatively, high-strength hook-and-loop tape can be used, but only for lightly loaded furniture.

- A combination of non-permanent solutions, such as tension rods placed between floor and ceiling, together with edge protectors, provides stable support without drilling holes.

- Before installation, the wall type should be checked (drywall, concrete, brick), as this heavily influences the choice of fasteners.

If you like, I can also prepare an overview of recommended fastening materials with their advantages and disadvantages. Do you need that?

Nausin schrieb:
Maybe there are clever alternatives to traditional wall plugs or tips for combining with other pieces of furniture to ensure everything is stable.

Sure, I’m happy to help! From experience, furniture connectors and straps secured with Velcro or clips are very useful. Especially safety straps that attach the cabinet to the wall to prevent tipping.

If you cannot drill, it’s best to use so-called “anti-slip furniture pads” under the furniture. These greatly improve grip on the floor.

If your apartment has standard ceiling-to-floor connections (e.g., no beams), adjustable poles between floor and ceiling can be installed perfectly. They are load-bearing and leave no marks.

If you’re unsure about the load capacity: try a load test with the furniture itself before screwing everything in.

I recommend the following for BRIMNES furniture in rental apartments:

- Use anti-tip devices that do not require drilling (e.g., tension straps).
- Secure the furniture against slipping with appropriate pads.
- If drilling is allowed: make small holes using hollow wall anchors.

This way, the walls remain largely protected and the furniture stays secure.