ᐅ Kallax on Laminate and Tile Flooring – Different Experiences?

Hello everyone,

I am planning to get a Kallax shelving unit and am unsure how this piece of furniture behaves on different types of flooring. Specifically, I’m interested in whether anyone has experience placing Kallax units on laminate flooring versus tile.

In particular, I would like to know if there are any differences regarding stability, risk of scratching the floor, or the unit slipping. I’m also wondering if any special protective measures should be taken on either floor type, such as felt pads or something similar.

Has anyone had different experiences or can offer recommendations on how to best secure the shelving unit so that neither the laminate nor the tiles get damaged, while keeping the unit stable?

Thank you very much for your opinions and tips!

Hello vinlau,

Regarding your question: Kallax is relatively heavy and sturdy. The main issue with laminate flooring is usually that the shelf can leave scratches when moved if there are no glides underneath. I strongly recommend felt pads or suitable plastic furniture glides that won’t damage the floor. Without protection, laminate floors can quickly suffer from point loads and sliding.

With tiles, the risk of scratching is naturally lower, but I would still recommend glides to reduce abrasion and noise. Also, tile floors often have a smoother surface, which can make the shelf slide more easily. If that’s a problem, edge protection strips or non-slip pads can help.

There are no differences in stability, as the floor only serves as a base. It’s important that the floor is level to prevent the shelf from wobbling. I hope this helps you.

Giagau schrieb:
On tiles, the risk of scratches is naturally lower, but I would still recommend using furniture gliders here to reduce wear and noise.

I can only agree with that.

From a technical perspective, laminate has a more delicate wear layer compared to ceramic tiles, which are very hard. This means laminate is more sensitive to point pressure and friction.

Furthermore, refrigerator or furniture gliders with a PTFE coating or felt pads are a proven method to prevent scratches from furniture contact. This is advisable for both floor types, but almost essential for laminate.

Also, it’s important to check if the floor is level. Especially with tiles, slight height differences can occur at grout joints, which might cause a Kallax shelf to wobble. In such cases, small shims could help.

Hello vinlau,

I had a similar Kallax project about a year ago. My laminate flooring wears down quickly under heavy furniture if it doesn’t have protective pads, which I can confirm. I bought regular felt pads that stick to the bottom of the shelves. Thanks to these, I haven’t had any scratches, even when the shelf was moved.

At my parents’ house, the shelf stands on tiles in the living room. Without pads, it slides a little on the smooth surface when gently bumped. They placed a non-slip mat underneath, so nothing shifts anymore, and the tiles remain undamaged.

One more tip: Kallax shelves are designed to stand vertically, so if your floor is a bit uneven anywhere, it can help to use small adjustable plastic feet. This provides stable support without wobbling and prevents possible damage.

Hope this gives you a good overview!

Matthewt48 schrieb:
At my parents’ place, the shelf stands on tiles in the living room. It slips a bit on the smooth surface without glides

I completely agree—on tiles, a Kallax can easily slide around, especially if you have small children running through the house and bumping furniture constantly.

Personally, I love felt pads for all furniture on laminate floors, and on tiles I often use soft rubber mats. They provide good grip and also prevent those annoying scratches that later look like little secret marks. 🙂

Laminate is sensitive, but if you use the glides correctly, you can usually let your Kallax move around on the floor without worry. You don’t have to move the shelf every day anyway.

My advice: it’s better to invest in good protective material than to have to repair the floor later.

Brief summary of my assessment:

- Laminate flooring: Highly susceptible to scratches; felt pads or soft plastic glides are recommended.
- Tiles: Much more durable, but the smooth surface increases the risk of slipping.
- Overall stability depends on the flatness of the floor, not on the material.

Additionally: Regularly check the glides for wear, as worn felt pads can cause more damage than benefit. Once the furniture has been rearranged using Kallax, only a few scratches occur if proper underlays are used.

Therefore, consistent protection should be used on laminate flooring. On tiles, it is more optional but advisable due to the risk of slipping.