How to Anchor Furniture to a Wall, 2 Ways
Prevent furniture from tipping with strap restraints or brackets
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Anchoring furniture to a wall keeps everyone safe and everything intact. Dressers, bookshelves, entertainment centers, and other pieces of furniture should be anchored to the wall to prevent them from tipping and falling. Learn how to anchor furniture to a wall. Restraining furniture takes minutes and could save someone—especially children—from injury.
Ways to Anchor Furniture to a Wall
Flexible straps
Strong
Wall gap allowable
Baseboard remains
Adjustable
$8 to $15
Rigid metal brackets
Stronger than straps
Flat against wall
Better without baseboard
Non-adjustable
$2 to $4
Safety Considerations
Do not anchor the furniture to drywall with drywall anchors. Instead, anchor the furniture directly to wall studs with screws. If two studs are not available in the furniture piece's current position, consider moving the piece left or right so it can attach to studs.
What You'll Need
Equipment / Tools
- Electric drill
- Drill bit set
- Drill driver set
- Stud finder
- Tape measure
- Painter's tape
- Pencil
Materials
- 1 strap-style furniture restraint kit
- 2 metal corner braces, 3-inch
- 8 screws, 1-1/2-inch (with corner braces)
Instructions
How to Anchor Furniture to a Wall With a Strap Restraint Kit
Anchor furniture to a wall with a furniture strap restraint kit. Each restraint kit anchors one piece of furniture against a wall. Two brackets are installed on the wall and two brackets are installed on the piece of furniture. Flexible straps connect the furniture brackets to the wall brackets.
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Mark the Studs
Use the stud finder to identify wall studs behind the furniture piece. Studs are usually 16 inches apart but sometimes they can be 24 inches apart. Mark lightly on the wall with a pencil or use removable painter's tape to leave no marks.
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Position the Furniture
Move the furniture against the wall. Make sure that the furniture piece overlaps two studs. Choose the studs that are as far apart as possible while still remaining within the width of the furniture piece.
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Mark Furniture Height on Wall
On the wall, mark one light horizontal line across each stud. The lines should be about one or two inches below the top of the furniture piece.
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Mark the Furniture
Mark the spots on top of the furniture that align with the two marks on the wall. You can lightly mark on the back of the furniture with a pencil or add squares of painter's tape and mark on them.
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Attach the Mounting Brackets on the Wall
Position each of the mounting brackets vertically (if they are rectangular) on the marked wall studs. Start by drilling pilot holes. Follow by driving the screws provided by the kit through the mounting brackets and into the pilot holes.
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Attach the Mounting Brackets on the Furniture
Position the remaining two mounting brackets horizontally on the furniture's frame. Similar to the earlier step, drill pilot holes into the furniture, then add the screws.
Warning
Do not attach the mounting brackets to the furniture piece's thin backing board or to the shelves. Attach the brackets only to the solid frame.
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Attach the Furniture Restraint Straps
Move the piece of furniture a few inches away from the wall. Loop the straps from the furniture brackets to the wall brackets. Move the furniture as close to the wall as possible. Take up slack in the restraints.
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Test the Restraint Straps
Pull the furniture piece firmly forward to test the strength of the straps and fasteners.
How to Anchor Furniture to a Wall With Metal Brackets
Anchor furniture to a wall with two metal L-brackets. One side of the L-bracket is screwed to the top of the furniture and the other side is screwed to the wall. Two brackets are used for each piece of furniture.
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Locate the Wall Studs
Using the stud finder, locate two wall studs that are within the width of the furniture piece. Lightly mark the wall with a pencil. Place the marks higher than the top of the furniture piece.
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Move the Furniture Into Place
Move the furniture piece flat against the wall. Make sure that two of the marked wall studs fall within the furniture's width and that they are space equally from each end.
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Cut Into the Baseboard
Cutting into the baseboard allows you to anchor the furniture flat against the wall. Mark the baseboard on each side of the furniture. Gently pry off the entire baseboard. Cut at the marks. Dispose of the middle piece. Do not install the two side pieces yet.
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Attach the Brackets to the Wall
Push the furniture against the wall. Place a bracket on top of the furniture so that the vertical side of the bracket aligns with the mark on the wall. Drill pilot holes, then drive two screws through the bracket into the wall. Repeat for the other bracket.
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Attach the Brackets to the Furniture
Drill two pilot holes, then drive two screws through the other side of the bracket into the top of the furniture. Repeat for the other bracket.
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Test the Brackets
With the brackets installed, pull the furniture forward to test the strength of the anchors.
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Replace the Baseboard
If you earlier removed the baseboard, re-attach the baseboard pieces on each side of the furniture piece.
When to Call a Professional
To attach furniture to a brick or concrete wall, it's often best to call a professional. Drilling into brick or concrete is difficult and requires a special hammer drill and masonry bits.