How to Anchor Furniture to a Wall, 2 Ways

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.

1. 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.

2. 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.

   Tip

   For example, choose the two studs that are 32 inches apart for a 40-inch-wide dresser.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

   Tip

   Install the mounting brackets as high as possible, while still keeping them below the top of the furniture. The lower the bracket is on the wall, the less effective it is.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

   Tip

   As an alternative to cutting into the baseboard, butt the furniture piece up against the baseboard. Fill the gap between the furniture and the wall with a wood block or a scrap piece of baseboard.

4. 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.

5. 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.

   Tip

   Attach to the top for bookcases, armoires, and other tall pieces of furniture where the brackets will not be visible. For lower pieces where the brackets will be seen, attach the brackets to the underside of the furniture's top structural panel.

6. Test the Brackets

   With the brackets installed, pull the furniture forward to test the strength of the anchors.

7. 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.