hi,

we're just installing a new IKEA kitchen. Previously we had a wine rack
with 40 or 50 bottles of wine on top of a pair of wall cupboards. Each
of these was held up by brackets in the inside corners which hung onto
metal plates screwed onto the wall - thus a total of 8 number 12 screws
took the weight, and the brackets were well placed to carry a load
placed on top of the cupboards, as the top side rested directly on
them.

We now have just one wider IKEA cupboard in that location, and the
bracket system seems much less robust. Just 2 screws hold the cupboard
up. I used M6 rawlbolts, which I think should be sufficient, but the
brackets themselves are just fixed to the chipboard sides of the
cupboard with 2 stubby 5mm screws.

So i'm nervous about putting much weight on top. Should I be?

I'm wondering about fixing a shelf directly on top of the cupboard to
take the weight, but it would need brackets that hang from the wall
above rather than supporting from below. Do these exist? Can't see any
at Screwfix.

cheers,

rob.