ᐅ KALLAX used as a room divider wobbles significantly on carpeted floors – any solutions?

Hello everyone,

I recently set up a KALLAX shelf from Ikea as a room divider in my living room. The divider is standing on a relatively thick carpet, and unfortunately, the shelf wobbles quite a bit when bumped or lightly loaded. It seems like the base isn’t stable enough due to the soft flooring.

So my question to you is: What options are there to make a KALLAX shelf more secure and stable on carpet so that it doesn’t wobble when used as a room divider? I don’t want to make major modifications or screw the shelf to the wall, as I want to keep flexibility.

For example, can special feet or pads be used? Or does anyone have personal experience with stabilizing it effectively on carpet?

I look forward to your tips and experiences!

Hello megigu,

I’m familiar with your problem, as shelves on carpet often aren’t as stable as on hard flooring. The reason is usually that the shelf feet sink into the carpet, causing an imbalance that leads to wobbling.

A practical solution is to place boards made of solid wood or plastic under the feet. This helps distribute the weight more evenly and prevents individual feet from sinking. Alternatively, furniture gliders or special felt pads with a firm backing can be strategically placed.

If you want to keep the shelf flexible, attaching small brackets to the back that connect to the floor or a platform—but not the wall—is also an option. However, this involves a minor building modification.

I’d be happy to offer more advice if you provide the exact dimensions of the shelf and the carpet!

Hi megigu,

unfortunately, the combination of KALLAX and carpet flooring is indeed a bit tricky. The shelving unit is relatively lightweight, and its feet have a small contact area, which can quickly cause instability on soft floors.

From a technical perspective, this involves the principles of load distribution and footing anchoring. If one foot sinks deeper into the carpet than the others, it causes a tilting movement.

My recommendation:
1. Base plates: Place four sturdy, thin plywood or MDF boards as precisely as possible under the feet of the shelving unit. These boards should be at least 20x20 cm (8x8 inches) in size to better distribute the pressure. Note: The boards can also compensate for minor unevenness.
2. Anti-slip mats: Put a non-slip mat between the carpet and the boards to prevent any sliding.
3. Feet adjustment: Ikea sometimes offers replacement or accessory feet that are wider or height-adjustable. This can help achieve optimal floor contact.

It would also be helpful to know:
- How thick is your carpet?
- Do you use an underlay or runner?
- Is the shelving unit freestanding or placed near a wall?

If you can provide this information, I can tailor the advice even better.

Hi megigu,

I would simply place small thick wooden pads under the feet. You can find these cut-to-size at any DIY store. This will help distribute the weight more evenly and reduce wobbling of the shelf.

Alternatively, use washers under the screws if your shelf has any.

Hello megigu,

I agree with the suggestions that having a solid base beneath the KALLAX feet is a good idea. Especially on carpet, there is a high risk that individual points will sink in, making the shelf unstable.

You could try furniture pads made from harder plastic that also have a non-slip effect. You can find these in furniture stores or DIY centers.

Another option, if you have deep carpet fibers, would be to lay a thin wooden board over the carpet for the shelf to stand on. This way, the entire base surface becomes much more stable. However, keep in mind that the carpet may have poor ventilation underneath, which could lead to moisture issues depending on the room’s ventilation.

Of course, you can also secure the shelf to the floor with small metal brackets without attaching it to the wall – this provides more stability while maintaining flexibility.

derrick34 schrieb:
I would just put small thick wooden boards under the feet.

That is a good and very practical solution. It is important that the boards are not too thin; otherwise, they will simply sink into the carpet.

Ianlau schrieb:
Furniture pads made of harder plastic with non-slip properties

Exactly, the combination of hardness, a good contact surface, and slip resistance can work wonders. Ideally, look for something relatively rigid with a slightly textured underside; otherwise, the shelf will still slip.

For your information, megigu: There are also so-called “anti-tip glides” in the field of flooring technology, specially designed for unstable furniture on soft surfaces. They cost a bit more but are very effective when other solutions are not sufficient.