ᐅ KALLAX Creaking Issue After DIY Modification – How to Fix It?

Hello everyone,

I modified my IKEA KALLAX shelf with a small DIY project, removing some shelves and adding extra elements to customize it. However, since then the shelf creaks with every movement, especially when I put some weight on it or gently bump it. It’s quite annoying, and I have already checked various possible causes – the creaking seems to come from friction between the wooden parts and possibly stresses in the material.

Does anyone have experience with how to permanently stop this creaking issue in the KALLAX, especially after a DIY modification? I don’t want to do major rebuilds anymore, just a simple but effective solution so I can have a quiet shelf again. Should I lubricate somewhere, or reinforce the joints? Looking forward to tips and tricks, thanks in advance!

Hey Jeremiah35,

I totally understand—that creaking sound is really annoying, especially when you see the shelf as a little DIY project—it’s supposed to be fun, not bothersome. 😉

What often helps with furniture like the KALLAX is a little talcum powder (yes, really! Baby powder lightly lubricates without making things greasy) or a wax applied to the contact points between the wooden parts. This reduces friction and dampens the noise.

Also important: check the screws and wall plugs again—sometimes they loosen after reassembly, causing movement and creaking. Just tighten all connections carefully, but avoid overtightening.

Oh, and if you have metal brackets or wood glue, you can use those to further stabilize the structure.

Good luck! Feel free to give feedback if it helps :-)

Wesley schrieb:
A little talcum powder (Yes, really! Baby powder lightly reduces friction without making surfaces greasy)

This is really a great tip—I actually forgot to mention it myself! I had the same problem with my KALLAX after the renovation, and baby powder made a big difference—the creaking was almost gone! 😊

Also, I would recommend checking the areas where you removed the shelves. If the side panels now have more play due to the missing shelves, that can cause creaking too.

Maybe it also helps to insert narrow strips of felt or foam rubber—this can effectively prevent annoying rubbing and cushions the whole structure a bit.

Don’t lose hope, it’s definitely doable, fingers crossed! 🙂

In short: retighten the screws. Then treat all friction surfaces with wax or baby powder. Apply felt strips where wood touches wood. This usually works.

Hello Jeremiah35,

I would like to add to your initial situation, as I have modified several KALLAX shelves myself. After a DIY modification, the static load distribution often changes – some shelves that previously contributed to stability are removed. This can make the shelf unit more flexible and less torsion-resistant, which explains the creaking.

To eliminate the creaking, I would proceed in two steps:

1. Stabilization: For additional stability, use metal brackets or flat connectors on the inside of the side panels and back panel. This will make the shelf unit less flexible, even when shelves are missing.

2. Reducing friction: At the contact points between wooden parts, you can apply lubricants such as wax. I use furniture wax, which also creates a protective layer. Alternatively, baby powder or talcum powder, as suggested here, works great.

Please also check the fit of any added components. If they are too tight, this can increase stress and cause creaking.

Finally, a tip: if possible, place the shelf on a solid, level surface. Uneven floors increase the load and thus also the noise.

I hope these suggestions help you. Good luck with your project!