ᐅ KALLAX feels unstable when fully loaded – should I reinforce it?

Hello everyone, I have a KALLAX shelf that I really like and that fits well with the design of my living room. However, when it is fully loaded with books and some heavy decorative items, it feels somewhat unstable. It wobbles slightly, especially when I walk past it or touch it. I am wondering if it makes sense to reinforce the shelf or add additional supports to improve its stability when fully loaded. I suspect that the original joints and dowels no longer secure the weight optimally after all these years. Does anyone have experience with this issue—whether adding brackets or angle braces afterward is recommended, or if it’s better to change the location of the unit? Thanks for your advice!

Refastening is always advisable to improve stability. Attach brackets to the inner corners to make it more stable.

The KALLAX is basically designed for moderate loads. When fully loaded, the joints may loosen or bend. To increase stability, metal brackets or additional screws at the connection points are recommended. It is important to ensure that the screws do not damage the material and that the fastenings are evenly distributed. An alternative measure would be to secure the shelf with wall anchors, if the installation location allows.

A brief guide for improving stability on the KALLAX:

1. First, check all connections and screws to make sure they are tight.
2. Purchase suitable metal brackets sized to fit the shelf unit.
3. Attach the brackets to the inner corners where the shelf parts connect.
4. Make sure the screws are not too long to avoid splitting the wood.
5. Optional: On the back, you can secure a thin back panel with nails if there isn’t one already.

This will significantly increase stability and reduce wobbling. I did it myself, and now the shelf easily supports even heavy books.

CHENFAR schrieb:
The KALLAX is basically designed for moderate loads. When fully loaded, the joints may come loose or bend.

That already helps, thank you. Is there any experience with replacing or reinforcing the entire back panel instead? I have the impression that the thin chipboard of the back panel is giving way in some areas, which might be increasing the wobbling effect.

The back panel of the KALLAX is usually made of a thin hardboard, which is crucial for the stability. If it is damaged or too thin, the shelf loses its lateral stability. Replacing it with a thicker or plywood panel can significantly improve stability. However, precise measurements and adjustments are necessary to ensure a proper fit and avoid any tension. Anyone with basic DIY skills can perform this upgrade. Alternatively, additional wall mounting using screws and anchors is often sufficient.