Hey everyone! I'm in the process of baby proofing my home since my little one is becoming quite the explorer. My house is a new build with plasterboard walls, and I need some advice on securely anchoring a few heavy furniture pieces, including some solid oak wardrobes weighing around 170kg and a couple of chests of drawers. I'm a complete DIY newbie, so I want to make sure I'm doing this right.
For the wardrobes, I'm planning to use L brackets on the top, attaching them to the solid oak surface and into the wall studs. If I can't find enough studs, I've got this Grip It product that claims to hold up to 60kg. I bought several L brackets with the thought of using about 6-8 of them to be extra safe.
For the drawers and TV stand, I think I'll use a couple of anchors on each piece as well. I'm asking for any advice or constructive criticism on this plan. I just want to ensure my home is safe for my child!
4 Answers
Interestingly, heavy furniture like yours can actually be among the safest for toddlers, as it’s hard to tip over. However, it's wise to anchor it anyway! One bracket is usually sufficient if you use multiple screws. Be careful with the installation though—oak can split! So, it’s best to drill a pilot hole first. And about the TV, it’s crucial to place it on proper furniture or mount it securely to avoid any accidents.
Your plan sounds good! You likely won't need 6-8 L brackets though—having about 2 per piece should do just fine. If you're worried about not hitting studs, drywall anchors can handle that weight just as well. You can find some great resources on IKEA's site or YouTube for specific anchoring techniques based on your wall type. Better to keep it simple!
You might find that heavy duty zip ties work wonders here too. Attach an L bracket to the furniture, and then another to a stud, then zip tie them together. It’s super helpful for stabilizing furniture even if the studs aren’t perfectly aligned with your pieces.
Before you start drilling, definitely grab a stud detector to locate the studs in your walls. You might also want to consider earthquake straps; they can provide extra security without a ton of holes in your furniture. Check them out on Amazon!
Thanks for the suggestion! I’ll look into those straps, they seem helpful!
I appreciate the input! I was just being cautious because those wardrobes are solid oak. It's good to know I don’t have to go overboard!