Fixing a floor-standing shelf unit to a wall

[Anonymous]

There might be some DIY boffins out there, and this is a property forum, so here goes.

I now own a rather large floor-standing shelf unit from Ikea that took all yesterday afternoon to assemble. It’s for toys and books in my little boy’s room.

I need to fix the top to the wall so my little boy can’t pull it over on top of him.

The problem is, at the top, there is a large gap between the back of the shelf and the wall, at least 6.5cm thanks to the effects of carpet and skirting board, as you can see in this pic:

Any ideas how to do this?

One way is a and L-shaped bracket screwed to the top of the shelf and the wall.

But I don’t want to use a metal bracket because it would be inflexible, and so would probably come loose with time (I expect the unit will take a few knocks over the years). I need something that is strong and flexible, say rubber. Anyone ever heard of this? If so, what’s it called?

Thanks,

Mark

[Fuengi (Andrew)]

Hi Mark,

have used similar shelves in the past (billy shelves). the L shap bracket is suprisingly good at standing the test of time.
If there is a 6.5cm distance to the wall, I would recommend cutting the relevant bit off the bottom of hte shelf. That way it goes directly against the wall and you can apply/use as many brackets as you feel are necessary.

If its not a billy shelf, but one of the designs meant for a childs room, as long as there are not extra shelves you have bought to add on top, there are very difficult to pull down by any child.

As a last point, although it sounds silly suction cups are surprisingly resilient and is flexible.

[Chopera]

I’ve also got one of those Ikea Billy shelves – and they do come with a bit already cut out of the base to accommodate the skirting board. I also use the bracket that comes with it to fix it to the wall, and haven’t had problems.

If possible another option might be to put some small legs on the base of the unit, to lift the base above the height of the skirting board and allow the unit to go flush against the wall. That way the bracket that Ikea usually provide should do the job.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your advice.

It’s actually the Besta model, not Billy, and annoyingly doesn’t come with the cut-out for the skirting board in the base.

I’ve found a solution: a small chain attached to the top of the unit and the wall. You can’t see it, but it means the unit will never fall over.

[Fuengi (Andrew)]

@mark wrote:

Thanks for your advice.

It’s actually the Besta model, not Billy, and annoyingly doesn’t come with the cut-out for the skirting board in the base.

I’ve found a solution: a small chain attached to the top of the unit and the wall. You can’t see it, but it means the unit will never fall over.

Just make sure the chain is taught.

[Alejandro]

Or try one of these
http://www.amazon.com/Quakehold-4164-Furniture-Strap-White/dp/B000FJQQNQ/ref=pd_cp_hi_4

[Anonymous]

Thanks Alejandro,

That would have been perfect. But the job is done with a chain. 😀

[Anonymous]

“and so would probably come loose with time “
Sorry, Mark I am not being flipent. I dont see Ikea wardroble lasting longer than the fixing.

[Anonymous]

@shakeel wrote:

“and so would probably come loose with time “
Sorry, Mark I am not being flipent. I dont see Ikea wardroble lasting longer than the fixing.

You would be surprised. Ikea quality isn’t bad at all, and the price / quality relationship is great.

At home we have some expensive gear from up-market design shops in Barcelona, and some Ikea gear. The Ikea gear is standing the test of time as well or better.

One thing, though. You have to be choosy when buying from Ikea. Their sofas and mattresses, for example, ain’t great.

[Author]

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