Tall dressers, bookcases and TV stands can tip over when a child climbs a drawer or an earthquake shakes the room. It happens faster than most people expect. The fix is a small strap and a couple of screws. If you have kids, pets or tall furniture, learning how to anchor furniture to the wall is one of the most important safety jobs in your home.
Which Furniture Should You Anchor?
Anchor anything tall or top-heavy, including:
- Dressers and chests of drawers
- Bookcases and shelving units
- TV stands and entertainment centers
- Wardrobes and armoires
- Flat-screen TVs that sit on furniture
Many new dressers come with an anti-tip kit in the box. If yours didn’t, kits are inexpensive at hardware stores.
Types of Furniture Anti-Tip Kits
Strap kits use a nylon or steel strap with one bracket on the furniture and one on the wall. They’re easy to install and allow a little movement.
Cable kits work the same way but use braided steel cable, which is stronger and harder to cut.
L-brackets are rigid metal angles that hold furniture tight to the wall. They’re very secure but less forgiving if you want to move furniture later.
Tools You’ll Need
- Anti-tip kit
- Stud finder
- Cordless drill with bits
- Pencil and tape measure
- Wood screws if the kit’s screws are too short
Step 1: Find a Wall Stud
Move the furniture into place, then slide it away a few inches. Use a stud finder to locate a stud behind where the top of the furniture will sit. Mark it. A stud gives by far the strongest hold.
No Stud Available?
If there’s no stud in line with the furniture, use heavy-duty toggle anchors rated well above the furniture’s weight. Avoid basic plastic anchors. They can pull straight out under a sudden load.
Step 2: Attach the Bracket to the Furniture
Fasten one bracket to the back of the furniture, near the top. Screw into a solid part of the frame, not the thin back panel. On particle board furniture, use the screws supplied and don’t overtighten them, or they’ll strip the material.
Step 3: Attach the Wall Bracket
Hold the strap up to your stud mark so it runs level or angles slightly downward from the furniture to the wall. Drive the wall bracket screw into the stud. A 2.5-inch screw is a good length for most walls.
Step 4: Connect and Tighten the Strap
Push the furniture back into position and connect the strap. Pull out any slack so the piece can’t lean forward more than an inch or so. Give the top a firm pull to test it.
Anchoring a TV Safely
A TV sitting on a stand can tip over just as easily as a dresser. Many TVs have threaded holes on the back for anti-tip straps. Run a strap from the TV to the stand or to a wall stud. Better yet, mount the TV on the wall with a bracket rated for its size and weight. Keep cords tidy and out of reach so small children can’t pull on them.
Renters Can Anchor Furniture Too
Most landlords would rather patch a couple of small screw holes than deal with an injury. Ask first if your lease is strict. When you move out, remove the brackets and fill the holes with a little spackle.
Extra Tips to Prevent Tip-Overs
- Put heavy items in the bottom drawers and on low shelves.
- Keep TVs and toys off the top of dressers where kids might reach for them.
- Install drawer stops so drawers can’t be pulled all the way out.
- Check straps once a year to make sure screws are still tight.
Keep Building Safer Rooms
Anchoring furniture pairs well with other simple upgrades. Learn how to hang a heavy mirror on drywall using the same stud-finding skills, or add storage by building floating shelves. If you’re choosing screws and bits for the job, our drill bit guide explains which one to grab.
