Tools and Materials
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What Are Furniture Anchors?
Furniture anchors are devices or hardware components that attach a piece of furniture to a wall. As the name suggests, the purpose of furniture anchors is to prevent furniture tipping over if a child or pet climbs on the piece or if you experience an earthquake.
Anchor kits for furniture are relatively inexpensive and installing a set is something a beginner do-it-yourselfer can usually do in less than an hour. These anchors are available in a couple of different designs.
- Furniture straps, also known as furniture safety straps or anchoring straps, are the most common anchors. Each anchor includes a bracket that attaches to the wall and one that attaches to the furniture. Metal rods or adjustable straps or cables run between the brackets to keep the furniture connected to the wall and prevent it from tipping over.
- You may also see L-brackets designed to function as safety brackets, fastening to the wall and to the top of a piece of furniture. Some of these brackets may not work well if the wall has baseboards that prevent the furniture from resting closely against the wall. They may also be a bit harder to install than safety straps.
Keep in mind, while these anchors help keep furniture from falling, they may not prevent items from falling off or being knocked off of the furniture and causing injury or damage.
Some furniture safety straps use adhesive rather than screws to attach to the furniture or wall. Check the product information; adhesive-mounted straps may not be designed to act as child safety devices and may not provide the holding power needed to support a piece of furniture and the weight of a climbing child or pet.
Unsecured furniture can also fall or tip over if someone bumps into it or grabs it to keep from falling.
Why Should You Anchor Furniture?
The primary reason for furniture anchoring is safety. If a piece of furniture falls onto a person or a pet it can cause serious injury or even death. While many types of furniture can be a risk, tall or heavy furniture is of particular concern.
Another reason for securing furniture is to prevent damage. A piece of furniture — and any items on it — can break in a fall and the furniture can damage any items it falls onto.
Whether your furniture is at risk of tipping because of
- Climbing children
- Climbing pets
- Earthquakes
The right furniture anchors will minimize the risk of a tip-over and help you protect your family, pets and property.
How Do You Anchor a Piece of Furniture?
Furniture anchor straps and anchor brackets work in a similar fashion, connecting the furniture to the wall. Anchor straps or cables are a bit easier to install because you can adjust them after installing the anchor hardware.
These steps will give you general instructions for installing furniture straps connected to brackets that you secure to the furniture and wall with screws. However, the principles of fastening an L-bracket to a stud in the wall and a thick, solid piece of wood on the furniture is similar.
For furniture safety, always read and follow the installation instructions for the anchors you have. If you live in a rental property, check with your rental authority before installing anchors.
Furniture wall anchors are different than standard wall anchors (also known as drywall anchors). Don’t use standard wall anchors to secure furniture. Wall anchors support items such as shelves, pictures or mirrors when there’s not a stud available. They don’t provide the strength or holding power necessary to anchor furniture and prevent tip-overs.
Instructions
When You Should Use Furniture Anchors
You should anchor any furniture that’s tall or heavy or that could be a risk for tip-over injuries or damage. While not a complete list, here are some ideas for items you should anchor:
- Clothing storage such as dressers and chests of drawers
- Tall furniture pieces such as hutches, shelving units, China cabinets, bookcases or file cabinets
- Items such as televisions. Many TVs come with anchors included, but you can upgrade them with sturdier anchors if needed.
A refrigerator or freezer may need anchors specifically designed for the appliance model. Check your appliance product information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to these questions will help you keep your home safe and help prevent damage from tip-overs.
How Do You Anchor Furniture Without a Stud?
Attaching furniture to a wall without using studs won’t provide holding power to anchor the furniture and protect people and pets from tip-overs. Standard drywall anchors and toggle bolts aren’t designed to anchor furniture. The weight of the furniture and a child or pet can tear them out, allowing the furniture to fall and damaging the wall.
How Do You Anchor Furniture Without a Drill?
If you’re installing child safety anchors, you’ll secure them to a stud with screws. You may be able to do this without a drill by starting pilot holes in the studs with a hammer and a nail. Use a nail with a diameter smaller than that of the anchor screws. Once you have a pilot hole, you can use a screwdriver to install the screws that secure the anchor.
Can You Use Command™ Strips to Anchor Furniture?
No, this type of picture-hanging strip isn’t designed to anchor furniture or prevent tip-overs. These strips won’t support the weight of the furniture combined with the weight of a child or pet if the furniture begins to fall away from the wall. Use only furniture anchors specifically designed to prevent tip-overs.