[lyfia]

I'm looking at using 4 of the 24" deep x 24" tall and 30" wide fridge cabinets that IKEA has above my Washer/Dryer. Can anybody here tell me how these are installed. Do they use the regular rail system that other uppers use or something else?


Due to the distance I have to go to purchase I was hoping to find somebody to share their experience so I don't have to go there to find out. I've not had luck with finding the info online or by calling them.

See any issues with support for these cabinets? I won't have a side panel that goes to the floor, but will use it to put laundry detergent etc. in. Which is very heavy.

[fisheggs]

Hi Lyfia,

They do use the normal rail system, although they are a lot heavier and more difficult to mount than the normal-depth wall cabinets. DEFINITELY a two-person job. A lot of folks do get concerned about the weight and try to add on extra support by screwing through the sides into adjacent walls. They are built to support weight through the sides, so that probably is a better move than trying to attach to the ceiling somehow.

With really careful installation of the hanging rail (i.e., lots of screws into studs, use of screws that are NOT drywall screws, maybe even some toggle bolts into drywall between the studs), you're probably okay up to the normal weight limits of the cabinet. However, if you're planning on putting many boxes of detergent in there (i.e., filling the entire cabinet), you might actually get up to that weight limit!

Hopefully, someone else will weigh in. Do you really HAVE to use the deep cabinets? It's going to be almost impossible to get anything out of the back of them.

[lyfia]

Thank you for the information.

I won't be able to attach on the sides to anything as there are nothing to attach to. One side is a possibility, but I think I need a little space for the doors there.

I would at most have 4 jugs of Laundry Detergent and 2 at most near the front along with a small bleach and some cleaning supplies.

I wanted to use the rest for storage for things we don't use often, but needs to be in AC'd space. We don't have much. In one of them I'd like to put my sewing stuff along with my sewing machine as well, then the one next to it a bunch of fabric (that is heavy though). In another bicycling gear and supplies, and the likes

The other reason for deep cabinets is that it is hard to reach regular depth cabinets if we put the w/d on pedestals. We have regular depth now and mocking it up it seems tight to be able to reach over and get the detergent out of the cabinet.

You do bring up a point about load capacity. Where can I find that info. I didn't see anything on the website, but maybe I wasn't looking in the right spot.

Thanks again!

[Chuck]

Welocme to IKEAFANS, lyfia.

Aside from approaching the load limits of the cabinets, you need to be wary of two things.

First, make sure that you install the rail with "large" screws - I'd suggest #12 screws, at least 2" long (assuming your walls are drywall), and that you put at least 2 screws into each stud.

As for a more practical concern, you are going to have a tough time accessing what is at the back of each shelf of those cabinets - it's a long reach into them. One thing I do when I use these cabinets is to use a 12" deep shelf inside, rather than a full 24" shelf. This gives you slightly better access to the back of the cabinet, while maintaining the full 24" height in the front.

If you are going to be putting heavy stuff in each of these cabinets, you might want to consider building a frame out of 2x3 or 4's to support the front of this run. Just a thought. But I think your better alternative is the 12" deep cabinets, in spite of what you see now as issues with access.

[lyfia]

Thanks Chuck for the information!

Any idea where to find the load capacity of one of these?

The problem with using regular 12" uppers is the same as ya'll are pointing out with reaching stuff in the deep ones. It is hard to reach in the exact same way and I need a step stool to get to the detergent every time.

At least with the deep ones I can put the stuff used regularly at the front and the other stuff would be in the back. I had planned on using 12" shelves in the two bottom ones and no shelves in the top ones. The stuff that would be stored in there is stuff that we use maybe once a month if even that. Except for the laundry detergent that is used often.

[Harpy]

Can I ask a stupid question? If you are getting pedestals, why aren't you planning to store detergent and such in them for easy access? Just curious.

[lyfia]

Not a stupid question, my pedestals will not be the bought kind and will be made to fit a laundry basket underneath to get rid of the stuff that lays on the floor and to store the baskets.

BTW - I don't think you can fit any of the large jugs of detergent in those drawer things I see at the stores. They don't seem to hold much.

[Harpy]

Thanks, that makes sense. As far the bought pedestals, though, I'm noticing more squat packaging in the stores, especially for the ultra concentrated stuff the front loaders use, so I suppose detergent companies are starting to accommodate the pedestals.

[ikitchensetc]

How are you arranging the 4 30" cabinets? 2 x 2 or 4 across? If you are stacking them 2 x 2, I would be very concerned about them ripping off the wall without side panels to transfer the weight. They are very heavy and when we first hang them, they tend to tilt forware until the side panels are installed. I bet the cabinets weigh close to 60-70 lbs empty.

[lyfia]

I had planned on stacking them 2x2. Guess I need to rethink things. I don't think I can get sides to work with the sloping floor that is underneath the washer/dryer