ᐅ What type of screws should I use for assembling Ikea Besta units in a child's bedroom?
Created on: 5 Jun 2018 08:47
M
markustarM
markustar5 Jun 2018 08:47Hello everyone, I am currently setting up the children’s room and have chosen the Ikea Besta system because it seems flexible and fairly sturdy. Now the question is what type of screws would be best to securely fasten the cabinets to the wall. It is important to me that they are suitable for the load in a children’s room, where the furniture might occasionally take minor impacts and high safety must be ensured. Since Ikea often provides only limited guidance with their products, I hope to get recommendations here regarding the type, length, and material of screws for a stable and secure attachment. Are there any experiences with whether standard chipboard screws are sufficient or if special heavy-duty screws make sense? And what else should I consider to avoid “wobbly” furniture in the children’s room?
I am always surprised how often in forums recommendations are made for the usual "chipboard screws," even though we know these are often not the best choice for a child’s room.
In my opinion, anyone who only uses the standard screws should keep in mind that IKEA furniture is not tested for very high loads. Especially in a child’s room, things can get rough quickly – so it’s worth using more robust screws. I would recommend stainless steel screws with larger heads and a diameter of at least 5 mm (0.2 inches), along with wall anchors suited to the wall material. Cheap screws from the hardware store are a no-go. But many don’t want to hear that, preferring cheap and quick solutions. Safety should really be the priority here.
markustar schrieb:
Are there any experiences on whether regular chipboard screws are enough or if special heavy-duty screws make sense?
In my opinion, anyone who only uses the standard screws should keep in mind that IKEA furniture is not tested for very high loads. Especially in a child’s room, things can get rough quickly – so it’s worth using more robust screws. I would recommend stainless steel screws with larger heads and a diameter of at least 5 mm (0.2 inches), along with wall anchors suited to the wall material. Cheap screws from the hardware store are a no-go. But many don’t want to hear that, preferring cheap and quick solutions. Safety should really be the priority here.
Hello markustar, I want to structure my answer clearly because your question includes important details.
First, it is crucial to know whether the wall in the children's room is made of concrete, brick, or drywall, as this significantly affects the choice of screws and anchors. For solid walls, standard anchors with matching chipboard screws are sufficient, while drywall requires special cavity anchors.
Second, since Ikea Besta is often made of chipboard or MDF, chipboard screws are suitable for the furniture itself, usually with a diameter of about 4-5 mm (0.16-0.2 inches). For attaching to the wall, however, longer screws (at least 6 cm (2.4 inches), preferably 8 cm (3.1 inches)) should be used to ensure a secure hold.
A good tip: It is worth using heavy-duty anchors if the wall allows, as children’s furniture is often subjected to stress. Always tighten firmly after pre-drilling, but not too much to avoid damaging the material.
In summary, I would recommend:
- For wall mounting: appropriate anchors + 6-8 cm (2.4-3.1 inches) long screws (5 mm (0.2 inches) diameter)
- For furniture assembly: original Ikea chipboard screws or equivalent with the appropriate size
If you can provide more details about the wall, I’m happy to help further.
First, it is crucial to know whether the wall in the children's room is made of concrete, brick, or drywall, as this significantly affects the choice of screws and anchors. For solid walls, standard anchors with matching chipboard screws are sufficient, while drywall requires special cavity anchors.
Second, since Ikea Besta is often made of chipboard or MDF, chipboard screws are suitable for the furniture itself, usually with a diameter of about 4-5 mm (0.16-0.2 inches). For attaching to the wall, however, longer screws (at least 6 cm (2.4 inches), preferably 8 cm (3.1 inches)) should be used to ensure a secure hold.
A good tip: It is worth using heavy-duty anchors if the wall allows, as children’s furniture is often subjected to stress. Always tighten firmly after pre-drilling, but not too much to avoid damaging the material.
In summary, I would recommend:
- For wall mounting: appropriate anchors + 6-8 cm (2.4-3.1 inches) long screws (5 mm (0.2 inches) diameter)
- For furniture assembly: original Ikea chipboard screws or equivalent with the appropriate size
If you can provide more details about the wall, I’m happy to help further.
M
markustar5 Jun 2018 14:23Thanks in advance for the quick replies! My wall is a classic brick wall, about 24 cm (9.5 inches) thick, plastered. So, should standard anchors with chipboard screws work?
Does that mean I should also use stainless steel or rust-resistant screws for normal brick walls? And what about the length? Are 6 cm (2.4 inches) enough, or is 8 cm (3.1 inches) more advisable? I want to avoid unnecessary costs, but safety is definitely the priority.
Also: Are standard nylon anchors sufficient, or should I use something more load-bearing? Thanks also for the detailed explanation, @Guyju!
LIELCHEN schrieb:
I would recommend stainless steel screws with larger heads and at least 5 mm (0.2 inches) diameter, along with anchors suitable for the wall type.
Does that mean I should also use stainless steel or rust-resistant screws for normal brick walls? And what about the length? Are 6 cm (2.4 inches) enough, or is 8 cm (3.1 inches) more advisable? I want to avoid unnecessary costs, but safety is definitely the priority.
Also: Are standard nylon anchors sufficient, or should I use something more load-bearing? Thanks also for the detailed explanation, @Guyju!
Hello markustar,
I would like to add some important points. Since you have a brick wall, traditional anchors and chipboard screws about 6 cm (2.5 inches) long work really well together.
Important: Make sure the screws have a sufficiently wide head so that the furniture supports don’t bend. Stainless steel is preferable because it is rust-resistant and ensures long-term durability. Even if the children’s room is not damp, over time a certain moisture cycle develops that can affect other metals.
You should also use high-quality anchors for wall mounting. 5 mm (0.2 inches) anchors are common for 6 mm (0.24 inches) screws; depending on the load, 6 mm (0.24 inches) anchors might be appropriate. I also recommend checking the spot with a small nail or screwdriver before drilling to rule out any cables or pipes.
Also: tighten the screws firmly, but not so tight that you damage the wood or chipboard or strip the threads. If you expect heavier loads, you can consider using heavy-duty anchors for safety, although these are generally more suitable for concrete than brick.
If you like, I can also give you tips on how to securely fix the cabinets to the walls to prevent tipping, which is especially important in a children’s room.
I would like to add some important points. Since you have a brick wall, traditional anchors and chipboard screws about 6 cm (2.5 inches) long work really well together.
Important: Make sure the screws have a sufficiently wide head so that the furniture supports don’t bend. Stainless steel is preferable because it is rust-resistant and ensures long-term durability. Even if the children’s room is not damp, over time a certain moisture cycle develops that can affect other metals.
You should also use high-quality anchors for wall mounting. 5 mm (0.2 inches) anchors are common for 6 mm (0.24 inches) screws; depending on the load, 6 mm (0.24 inches) anchors might be appropriate. I also recommend checking the spot with a small nail or screwdriver before drilling to rule out any cables or pipes.
Also: tighten the screws firmly, but not so tight that you damage the wood or chipboard or strip the threads. If you expect heavier loads, you can consider using heavy-duty anchors for safety, although these are generally more suitable for concrete than brick.
If you like, I can also give you tips on how to securely fix the cabinets to the walls to prevent tipping, which is especially important in a children’s room.
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