You've tightened the last screw, the wardrobe is standing upright, and you're ready to fill your new IKEA PAX wardrobe. But wait! There is one more bag of hardware in the box: the wall brackets.
"It stands firmly enough, doesn't it?" many people think. "Besides, I don't want to drill holes in my newly plastered wall." This is one of the most common, and at the same time most dangerous mistakes when assembling IKEA furniture. In this article, we explain why anchoring a PAX wardrobe (and other tall furniture) is an absolute necessity, and how you do it safely.
The Life-Threatening Danger of a Falling Wardrobe
An empty PAX wardrobe of 236 cm high and 100 cm wide already weighs dozens of kilos. Once filled with winter coats, solid wooden drawers, shoes, and heavy items at the top, such an element easily weighs more than 100 kilos.
The center of gravity of a tall wardrobe lies far forward, especially if you put heavy items on the top shelves or open the doors.
Risk of Tipping Due to External Factors
Even if you yourself would never hang on the wardrobe, there are countless reasons why a wardrobe can suddenly tip forward:
- Children: Small children see drawers as a staircase. They pull drawers open and climb into them to reach toys on the top shelf. The weight of the child, combined with the open drawers moving the center of gravity forward, causes the wardrobe to fall over immediately. This has led to tragic, fatal accidents worldwide.
- Heavy doors: Heavy mirror doors or thick wooden doors shift the center of gravity enormously if they are opened at the same time.
- Pets: A large dog jumping enthusiastically against an open door can exert just enough force to disturb the balance.
- Uneven floors: Almost no floor is 100% level. A wardrobe that imperceptibly leans forward a millimeter is already on edge.
IKEA is extremely clear about this (and legally obliged): the furniture must always be anchored to the wall with the supplied hardware.
IKEA Supplies the Hardware, But Not the Plugs
In the packaging of the wardrobe, you will find metal brackets or plastic straps to attach the wardrobe to the wall. However, what you will not find are the screws and plugs for the wall itself.
Why? Because IKEA does not know what material your walls are made of. A plasterboard requires a completely different fastening than solid concrete. Using the wrong plug is just as dangerous as not anchoring at all, because the plug will tear out of the wall at the slightest resistance.
Which Plug Do You Need for Your Wall?
Determining the wall type is crucial.
| Wall type | Recommended plug | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Solid concrete or brick | Nylon expansion plug (8mm) + long wood screw | Safest and easiest |
| Plasterboard (hollow wall) | Hollow wall plug (umbrella/metal anchor) | Or drill into the studs |
| Aerated concrete / Porotherm | Aerated concrete plug or spiral plug | Drill without hammer |
1. Solid concrete or brick
This is the safest and easiest wall. Drill a hole with a masonry or concrete drill (hammer setting). Use a high-quality nylon expansion plug (e.g., 8 mm) and a sturdy, long wood screw. Knock the plug in with a hammer, place the IKEA bracket over the hole, and tighten the screw securely.
2. Plasterboard wall (Hollow wall)
Knock on the wall. Does it sound hollow? Then you are dealing with a plasterboard. A standard nylon plug will immediately tear out here as soon as the wardrobe pulls forward. For plasterboards, always use special hollow wall plugs (like umbrella plugs or metal hollow wall anchors). These fold open behind the plasterboard like an umbrella, allowing them to grip a large surface area. Note: If the wardrobe will be extremely heavily loaded, it is safer to use a stud finder to locate the wooden or metal studs behind the plasterboard and drill the screw directly into them.
3. Aerated concrete or Porotherm (Gasbeton)
This material is soft and brittle. Use special aerated concrete plugs or spiral plugs here. Drill without turning on the hammer setting of your drill, otherwise you will shatter the hole inside and the plug will have no grip.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why must a PAX wardrobe always be anchored to the wall?
A tall PAX wardrobe filled with clothes and heavy items easily weighs more than 100 kilos, with its center of gravity far forward. Children, heavy doors, pets, or an uneven floor can cause it to tip over, which has led to fatal accidents. IKEA is legally obliged to state that the furniture must always be anchored to the wall with the supplied hardware.
Does IKEA supply the screws and plugs for anchoring?
IKEA supplies the metal brackets or plastic straps to attach the wardrobe to the wall, but not the screws and plugs for the wall itself. Because IKEA does not know what material your walls are made of, you must buy the right plugs yourself. Using the wrong plug is just as dangerous as not anchoring at all.
Which plug do I need for a plasterboard wall?
For plasterboards, always use special hollow wall plugs (like umbrella plugs or metal hollow wall anchors) that fold open behind the board. If the wardrobe will be extremely heavily loaded, it is safer to locate the studs behind the plasterboard and drill the screw directly into them.
Need Help with Assembly and Anchoring?
Don't have the right tools, or aren't sure what material your wall is made of? Do not take any risks with the safety of your family.
Have your PAX wardrobe wall built by the professionals at Montage Vandaag. We not only ensure that the wardrobe stands perfectly level and square, but we also always ensure that it is anchored dead tight (with the right plugs for your wall!). Request a fixed price quote directly.