ᐅ After moving in, the doors were installed incorrectly in the KALLAX unit – can this be fixed?

Hello everyone, I recently assembled a KALLAX shelf from IKEA and after moving in, I realized that I installed the doors completely backwards, which affects both the look and functionality quite a bit. Now I’m wondering if and how the doors can be reinstalled correctly without having to disassemble the entire shelf or causing any damage. Does anyone have experience or tips on how to fix this issue? Do I possibly need to buy different hinges or fasteners, or is it enough to simply remove the doors and place them on the other side? I would appreciate specific advice, especially regarding stability and whether installing the doors incorrectly can cause damage to the shelf or the doors. Thanks in advance!

You can simply remove and reinstall the doors. IKEA KALLAX doors have hinges that are easy to adjust. Just unscrew them again, attach on the other side, and you’re done.

I am familiar with this topic because I have worked with KALLAX systems many times myself. The doors are basically designed to be modular, so they can be easily reinstalled. It is important to be careful when removing the door not to damage the hinges, as they are fixed with small metal pins. If the existing hinges are not symmetrical or are made specifically for one side, replacement parts should be obtained. Additionally, I recommend checking the fittings before reinstalling—the hinges often have adjustment options that can help improve the fit. In general, no damage is to be expected as long as you handle everything carefully.

franzisk35 schrieb:
Do you need to buy different hinges or fasteners, or is it enough to simply remove the doors and install them on the other side?

Good question! KALLAX doors usually come with clip hinges that actually work on both sides. Removing them is typically done by a small lever mechanism on the hinge, without needing to unscrew anything. If you carefully remove the door, you can reattach it on the opposite side. It’s advisable to check the surface of the connection points before reinstalling, as there are often small tabs or fittings on the inside of the shelving unit that are important when placing the door back.

Gino38 schrieb:
It’s important to be careful when removing the door to avoid damaging the hinges, as they are fixed with small metal pins.

Exactly – the hinges are delicate, and even if only the decorative caps are removed, the hinges can remain intact. From practical experience, slight twisting or pulling can cause damage to the plastic, so it’s best to work carefully.

If you’re very unsure, try testing the process with a less important door first to get a feel for the mechanism.

Devin schrieb:
You can simply remove the doors and reattach them.

The basic assumption is clear; however, I wonder if this approach applies equally to all KALLAX models and doors. Sometimes the hinge types vary depending on the production year or version. Therefore, it would be interesting to know if francisk35’s original uses the current hinge technology or if it is an older model. Have you checked this, francisk35?

Furthermore, I am curious whether repeatedly repositioning the doors could cause the mounting holes to wear out over time. Could this lead to the doors eventually not closing properly or becoming loose? This seems like an important consideration for long-term stability.

Would it not even make sense to completely remove the doors and inspect all holes before repositioning them? This would likely increase durability rather than just rehanging them.

In summary: KALLAX doors are designed to be installed reversibly, so yes, they can be easily removed and placed on the opposite side. The hinges are specially designed to allow simple repositioning without tools—these are usually clip or click hinge systems.

It is important to pay close attention to the positions of the fastening mechanisms to avoid damaging the shelving unit. However, prolonged or repeated twisting of the existing drill holes can eventually cause the holes to become loose. In such cases, small wooden dowels or appropriate repair kits can be used to reinforce the holes.

If the doors have been installed backwards, this generally does not harm the structure of the shelving unit, as long as they are removed carefully. Replacement hinges are only necessary if the existing ones are mechanically damaged or do not operate symmetrically.

Before repositioning, it may be helpful to consult a detailed instruction manual or assembly plan from IKEA to identify the individual mounting and hinge components.