ᐅ Does KALLAX also scratch easily for you?

Hello everyone,

I’d like to ask if you have also noticed that the KALLAX shelves from IKEA develop visible scratches or marks surprisingly quickly at home?

I’ve observed that after a relatively short time of use—and I’m not talking about particularly rough handling—the white surface on some edges and areas shows unsightly signs. I wonder if the material is simply very sensitive or if there are special care or protection recommendations that might help.

How about your experience? Have you encountered something similar or perhaps have tips on how to better protect the surface?

I’m really looking forward to your opinions and experiences!

Onniklo schrieb:
Do the KALLAX shelves from IKEA get visible scuffs or scratches surprisingly fast?

I’ve noticed that too, and to be honest, I find it a bit disappointing! Especially the white surfaces look really attractive but can be a bit delicate when it comes to marks.

For me, it was mostly the edges that suffered quickly, especially when I often moved things around or placed items on top. A small tip from me: maybe you can improve the edges with self-adhesive edge protectors or corner guards to prevent them from getting damaged so fast.

I also use furniture polish occasionally, but unfortunately, it doesn’t do much for scratches. Still, I have to say—the price makes it worthwhile for me, even if you have to do a bit of maintenance now and then :-)

Onniklo schrieb:
I wonder if the material is simply very delicate or if there are special care or protection instructions

I know what you mean – I also had concerns at first, wondering if it was due to how I handled it, but by now I’m sure that the material itself isn’t very durable.

It’s a kind of melamine-coated particle board that can easily get minor damage from impacts or sliding heavy items across it. But I often question how serious those small scratches really are, especially if the piece of furniture otherwise looks good.

Maybe the key is to avoid using the shelf in areas with heavy wear or to place heavy, rough objects down very carefully. Still, I think completely preventing this damage is unlikely once the shelf is used daily.

I can absolutely confirm that! 🙂

I’ve had my KALLAX for nearly a year now, and some areas are already quite scratched and scuffed, even though I’m very careful. 🙈 I guess that’s almost a sign that you really love your shelving unit, right? 😉

But seriously – for me, it’s still a great piece of furniture, very flexible and so easy to customize. Sure, the nasty scratches can be annoying, but hey, they add character and tell the story of use and life.

Maybe just some maintenance, and if it gets really bad, cover it up or touch it up with paint. A DIY project like that can be fun, don’t you think?

Elodie schrieb:
maybe you can improve the edges with self-adhesive protective strips or edge guards

That is a practical suggestion. From a technical perspective, the KALLAX design is optimized for cost-effective production, which is why it mainly uses melamine-coated particleboard.

These surfaces look appealing but are not particularly resistant to mechanical stress. Especially impacts and abrasion on the edges quickly cause wear.

Therefore, to extend durability, I recommend applying protective profiles. Specialty retailers also offer transparent edge protection films that preserve the surface without altering the design.

Additionally, I advise regular, gentle cleaning—harsh cleaners can further damage the surface.

PEDRO40 schrieb:
You can’t completely avoid it once you use the shelf daily

I agree with that. At first, I was a bit frustrated because I thought my shelf was defective. But after a few weeks of use, it became clear: minor scratches happen to every piece of furniture—especially if you have children at home or use the shelf often.

What helped me was lowering my expectations a little and focusing more on practicality than perfection. Of course, you want a nice surface, but the KALLAX is designed to be affordable and isn’t primarily focused on premium quality.

For me, it’s fine if the furniture “lives” a bit and shows signs of wear.