ᐅ Painting the KALLAX Back Panel for a Better Look – Any Experiences?

Hello everyone, I want to customize my KALLAX shelves a bit and am considering painting the back panels to improve their appearance. Has anyone here had experience painting the KALLAX back panel? How well does the material (thin cardboard) handle paint—are there any issues with adhesion or warping? I plan to use acrylic or chalk paint and am also thinking about applying a primer. Are there any tips for preparation, painting technique, and durability? It would also be helpful to know if the back panel remains stable afterward or if it’s better to use alternatives. I look forward to your opinions and experiences!

I painted the back panel of my KALLAX with acrylic paint. It is important to lightly sand the surface first and then apply a primer. Otherwise, the cardboard will absorb the paint too much. The stability is not noticeably affected.

Editben, I can add some information on this: The KALLAX backing panel is usually made of very thin pressed cardboard, which is sensitive to moisture. Therefore, it is important to properly prepare it before painting. First, lightly sand the surface with fine sandpaper (grit 180-220) to improve paint adhesion. Then I recommend using a waterproof primer or a deep-penetrating sealer to prevent swelling.

When applying paint, several thin layers are better than one thick coat. I have had good results with acrylic paint, which dries quickly and does not crack. Chalk paint is purely decorative, but without sealing it can flake.

You should also keep in mind that while the backing panel remains stable, it can become a bit wavy from moisture. If you want more strength, consider cutting a thin MDF board – it also takes paint well and is more durable.

If you need more detailed guidance on the process, just let me know!

You can really see how a simple shelf can turn into something cool! 🎨 I also painted the back panel of my KALLAX with acrylic paint from the craft section. It was important to me to dust everything off thoroughly beforehand—otherwise, the paint and brush strokes don’t adhere properly.

nonpra schrieb:
It’s important to lightly sand the surface and then apply a primer.

I can definitely confirm that! A small tip: if you apply a matte clear coat at the end, it looks really professional and is better protected against scratches. 🙂

I am curious whether painting the back panel actually adds any aesthetic value, considering it is often not visible (since it is usually mounted against the wall).

Are there any experiences regarding whether applying paint improves or weakens the back panel in terms of stability?

PLOMA schrieb:
The back panel remains stable but can become slightly wavy due to moisture.

That sounds more like a disadvantage to me – how can this be prevented?

Thanks for the tips so far!

@Hector: My main concern is the use of color, as I have some freestanding Kallax units in the room. The back panel is visible there, and I find it visually disappointing if it’s always white or brown. Stability is important to me, but I assume a thicker MDF board would be more stable – however, since I want to use the original material as much as possible, it would be helpful to know if sealing is enough to prevent warping.

@PLOMA: Could you possibly share plans or recommendations on which product you used exactly as a primer? And how long should the drying time be in between?