ᐅ High load capacity possible on KALLAX – has anyone tested it?

Hello everyone,

I am currently planning to use an IKEA KALLAX shelf in a room that will be subjected to quite heavy loads. Specifically, it will serve as a standing surface for heavy equipment (up to 30 kg (66 lbs) per compartment) as well as for storing various boxes and folders, which could increase the weight further. My question to you is: Has anyone had experience with how much weight a KALLAX shelf can actually hold without damage?

I know the official specifications from IKEA, but I am mainly interested in how it performs in real everyday use, especially over a longer period. Are there any tips on how to best support particularly heavy loads? Or would it be better to avoid using this shelf for such purposes?

I look forward to your experiences and recommendations!

MARWAN39 schrieb:
my question to you: Has anyone had experience with how much load a KALLAX shelf can really carry without damage?

I find this question almost provocative, because officially IKEA states a load capacity of about 13 kg per compartment – which is sufficient for most purposes. But anyone who thinks they can simply use the KALLAX as a heavy-duty shelf is seriously mistaken.

The fact is: the KALLAX is a piece of furniture made from particleboard with a foil coating, and it works well as long as you don’t overdo it. Loads over 20 kg per compartment quickly cause sagging and, in the worst case, the joints breaking apart. So, if you really want to place equipment weighing up to 30 kg per compartment there, you should either plan for extra reinforcements or consider investing in a sturdier solution.

But hey – maybe another user will prove otherwise. As for me, I recommend not blindly trusting IKEA’s specs when putting this piece under heavy strain. It’s a widely popular furniture item for appearance but it is not designed as a heavy-duty unit.

NOAHSAU schrieb:
The fact is: The KALLAX is a piece of furniture made from particleboard with a foil coating, and it works well as long as you don’t overdo it.

Exactly, I agree. I’m an engineer myself and have dealt with these types of constructions several times. Particleboard has a limited load-bearing capacity. Depending on the support surface, weight distribution, and humidity, the values can vary significantly.

Regarding load capacity: The 13 kg (28.7 lbs) per compartment specified by IKEA is given without any safety factor. In practice, you can put somewhat more weight on the compartments, but there are some critical points:

1. The side and middle reinforcements must be correctly installed.
2. An even distribution of the load is essential—point loads can severely affect stability.
3. To handle higher loads permanently, I recommend reinforcing the shelf panels with additional supports—for example, metal strips—to prevent bending.
4. For very heavy loads, the shelving unit should definitely be secured to the wall to avoid tipping hazards.

I would be interested to know exactly how the load will be distributed and which devices you plan to place there if you want further advice.

MARWAN39 schrieb:
Or should the shelving unit better not be used for such purposes?

If it’s just about 30 kg (66 lbs) per compartment that needs to remain stable over years, I would look for a sturdier piece of furniture or a custom-made solution. On the other hand—with reinforcements and proper fastening—the KALLAX can become surprisingly load-bearing.

I have stored heavy boxes myself (about 25 kilograms (55 pounds)) in the KALLAX for an extended period.

Without reinforcement, sagging occurred and small cracks appeared in some areas.

Reinforced shelves with metal plates solved the problem.

Conclusion: Load-bearing is possible, but only with targeted retrofitting.