ᐅ Kallax shelves often get damaged quickly during kids’ room reorganizing—do you find this to be the case?

Hello everyone,

Lately, I’ve noticed that our Kallax shelving unit in the children’s room gets damaged quite quickly during the usual rearranging – whether it’s pulled-out shelves, warped panels, or damaged joints. I’m wondering if it’s just me or if others have had similar experiences.

I’m especially interested in how you handle it when Kallax modules become prone to damage after some time, even though you try to be careful with the furniture, especially in a children’s room where there is a lot of movement and change.

Do you put up with it, meaning do you repair regularly, replace parts, or do you simply accept that this is how it eventually turns out? Or maybe you have tips on how to increase durability despite repeated moving or rebuilding?

I look forward to your insights and experiences!

deolen60 schrieb:
that our Kallax shelf in the nursery gets damaged quite quickly during the usual rearranging

I always wonder why people choose such "cheap" furniture for children's rooms in the first place. Sure, Kallax is affordable and modern, but if it breaks with minimal use, it almost sounds like planned obsolescence.

In my opinion, especially for kids’ rooms, you should opt for more durable options – it saves you stress and money in the long run. Do you really cope with constantly having to fix something? Or are you already living in a permanent repair mode? I’m curious whether this is truly accepted or if people just give up on it.

I also have the Kallax in the children's room. If something breaks, I simply replace the affected shelves or reinforce the back panel. Problem solved.

We also have this shelf, and yes, with frequent rearranging the joints don’t last forever. Just dismantle it carefully, check the screws, and tighten them again if necessary. Otherwise, it’s quite sturdy.

I know this well; our Kallax also shows some signs of wear after two years. Especially when the kids frequently rearrange their rooms, the furniture takes a hit. I sometimes find it frustrating, but on the other hand, it's not really meant to last forever.

I try to involve the children in the repairs – this helps them understand furniture care and mindfulness, and we do it together. That way, I feel less bothered by the small damages.

Fact: Kallax is made of medium-density fiberboard (MDF) with a melamine coating, which makes it more sensitive to mechanical stress compared to solid wood. The connecting fittings are designed for static loads, but frequent moving or rearranging can cause snap locks to fail or dowel joints to break.

Tip: Before moving, check all screws and connections, reinforce with wood glue if needed, and stabilize the back panel where possible. Alternatively, a final treatment with furniture wax or edge protection can help protect vulnerable edges.

Regular inspections and minor repairs significantly extend the lifespan.