ᐅ KALLAX units always end up crooked in old building niches—does anyone else experience this?

Hello everyone,

I have placed an IKEA KALLAX shelf unit in one of the typical recesses in my older apartment. The problem is that the KALLAX always stands crooked, even though the recess appears straight and level at first glance. I have already checked with a spirit level and tape measure and found that the walls are noticeably not at right angles, the floors are slightly uneven, and the width of the recess varies from top to bottom.

Does anyone else have this issue? How have you dealt with such recesses in older buildings? Are there any special tips to get the KALLAX to stand relatively straight and stable despite these conditions? I would prefer not to have a completely custom-made piece of furniture, but rather to continue using the KALLAX if possible.

Looking forward to your experiences or suggestions!

Leje4 schrieb:
The problem is that the KALLAX is always crooked, even though the niche looks straight and level at first glance.

Hello Leje4,

I am very familiar with your problem, as I have old apartments with similar challenges. Niches in older buildings are often not perfectly straight, and exact measurements are rare. The KALLAX is a piece of furniture with a very rigid frame that doesn’t automatically compensate for slight irregularities in the walls or floor.

My tips:

1. Level the furniture using appropriate furniture glides or foam-like material underneath. Especially in depth, this can make a big difference.

2. If needed, use spacers on the sides, such as wooden strips, to bridge gaps and secure the furniture straight.

3. Check if the back panel is flat enough – it stabilizes the KALLAX significantly. Sometimes adding a thin board there helps to adjust the angle.

4. If it remains very crooked when fitting, you can also use small shims under the feet to restore the level.

Overall: keep in mind that the furniture itself does not include adjustable components for alignment, so you need to use additional aids here. Good luck! 🙂

Leje4 schrieb:
I have already checked with a spirit level and tape measure that the walls are noticeably non-perpendicular in some places, the floors are slightly uneven, and the width of the niche varies from top to bottom.

Very good point that you have already taken your measurements carefully. That is the first important step, even though I understand how frustrating it can be when walls in an older building are not at right angles.

I would suggest structuring the approach in the following steps:

1. Determine floor level: Use a long spirit level or a laser level to identify unevenness in the floor. Small height differences can be compensated with adjustable furniture feet, which can be attached under each leg.

2. Record wall profile: Use a profile gauge or sealing tape to check how far the wall deviates from vertical. Sometimes it makes sense to attach a strip on the slanted side to compensate for the angled surface.

3. Level the KALLAX unit: First, place the furniture roughly into the niche. Then level it from bottom to top using rubber or felt pads under the feet, for example. Since the KALLAX panels are relatively easy to press down, the furniture must not be under stress, or it will warp.

4. Secure the KALLAX back panel: This is crucial for stability. If the back panel sits at an angle, you can adapt it to the wall using small triangular battens.

angel schrieb:
If necessary, use spacers on the sides, e.g. wooden strips, to bridge gaps and secure the furniture straight.

I wanted to confirm that as well. Otherwise, there is hardly a clean solution unless you want custom-made furniture.

If you like, you can share your measurements here, and I could then provide more specific help.

Leje4 schrieb:
Does anyone else know this? How did you manage such old built-in niches? Are there any special tips to get the KALLAX fairly neat and stable despite the conditions?

Hello,

I’d like to share a simple step-by-step guide that I have successfully used myself:

1. Preparation:
- Thoroughly clean the niche from dust and small debris so the furniture has the best possible surface to rest on.
- Measure the depth and width of the niche in several places: top, middle, and bottom.

2. Positioning the furniture:
- Place the KALLAX near the niche but not fully inside yet.
- Use a spirit level on the top edge and shelves to check how much the surface slopes.

3. Leveling:
- Use furniture gliders or small wooden blocks (e.g., 0.5 to 1 cm (0.2 to 0.4 inches) thick) to compensate for height differences.
- On the wall side with more space, cut wedges from wood or plastic to fit precisely and slide them behind the furniture.

4. Securing:
- Optionally, lightly fix the back panel with screws, but avoid tightening too much to prevent the frame from warping.

5. Finishing touches:
- Use flexible decorative elements (moldings, trim profiles) to visually hide any remaining gaps if needed.

If you follow these steps, you should be able to place your KALLAX much more stable and visually straight. For heavily warped niches, however, compromises or custom-made solutions remain the only option.

Good luck!

Leje4 schrieb:
I don’t necessarily want to have completely custom-made furniture; I would prefer to keep using the KALLAX if possible.

Hey,

I totally understand wanting to stick with your KALLAX – it’s practical and affordable. I felt the same way when I had to adjust for a sloping ceiling in my older apartment.

Sometimes it helps to keep in mind that these small uneven spaces are just part of the charm of older buildings. 🙂 Of course, the furniture should be functional and stable, but slight irregularities usually don’t cause any damage.

What worked for me:
- Using felt pads under the legs to bridge small gaps
- Placing wooden wedges or rubber bumpers on the sides or back
- Avoiding forcing the furniture into place, as that can create tension

FeAndreas1 schrieb:
Because the KALLAX panels can be pressed in relatively easily, the furniture must not be under stress, or it will warp.

This is really my biggest tip: Allow the furniture a little “wiggle room,” and it will stay stable and straight.

A bit of patience and careful adjustment is probably standard for older apartments – but it’s worth it! If everyone shares their experiences here, I’m sure you’ll find the perfect solution. 🙂