How do I anchor a cabinet to the wall?

justtryingmybest

Hi there! I have bought a cabinet, which is about 2m high, to store glassware in. It has solid wooden doors, which are quite heavy, and I'm having nightmares that the cabinet will tip and hurt someone.

I want to anchor it to the wall properly, but I have no idea what I am doing!

I have bought a stud finder, but im not sure which screws or kits to use, or what steps to take. It also sits a little out from the wall, because of the skirting board. Any help would be so gratefully received!

Ive attached a photo of the cabinet

MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @justtryingmybest. It's sensational to have you join us and many thanks for your question on securing cabinetry.

You’re absolutely thinking along the right lines. Tall cabinetry like, a 2 m unit, should always be fixed to the wall at the top to prevent tipping, especially with heavy doors and glassware inside. In many cases, it’s actually a requirement for safety compliance.

I’d be surprised if the installation instructions don’t include guidance for wall anchoring. The manufacturer is always your best source of information for your specific unit, so I’d strongly recommend checking the manual or contacting the distributor to confirm the correct fixing method for your model.

That said, these types of cabinets commonly use one of the following methods:

• Direct fixing through the back panel into wall studs using something like a 75 mm timber screw.
• An angle bracket at the top, fixed into a stud and then into the cabinet.

Since you’ve bought a stud finder, the key step is locating and fixing into solid timber studs, not just plasterboard. If the cabinet sits slightly off the wall due to the skirting board, you may need to:

• Remove or notch the skirting behind it, or
• Pack out the fixing point with timber the same thickness as the skirting, so the cabinet pulls tight and doesn’t bow when screwed in.

Most importantly, make sure whatever screws or brackets you use are going directly into studs. Plasterboard anchors alone won’t be sufficient for a tall, heavy unit like this.

If you’re unsure about any step, it may be worth getting a handy friend or local handyperson to help, but you’re definitely right to secure it properly for peace of mind.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell