Hello everyone,
I recently set up a KALLAX shelf from IKEA as a room divider in my living room. However, I noticed that the shelf feels quite unstable, especially when lightly bumped or placed on uneven floors. I’m curious if you’ve experienced the same when using KALLAX as a room divider? Maybe it’s due to the design, or because it was originally intended as a standing shelf rather than a freestanding room divider?
So far, I have only loosely assembled the shelf, but even after screwing it together, it doesn’t feel truly stable. Therefore, I’m wondering if I might have missed something or if there are effective additional measures to significantly improve its stability. When you use it as a room divider: does it wobble as well? What tricks do you use to fix this issue? Looking forward to your experiences and advice!
I recently set up a KALLAX shelf from IKEA as a room divider in my living room. However, I noticed that the shelf feels quite unstable, especially when lightly bumped or placed on uneven floors. I’m curious if you’ve experienced the same when using KALLAX as a room divider? Maybe it’s due to the design, or because it was originally intended as a standing shelf rather than a freestanding room divider?
So far, I have only loosely assembled the shelf, but even after screwing it together, it doesn’t feel truly stable. Therefore, I’m wondering if I might have missed something or if there are effective additional measures to significantly improve its stability. When you use it as a room divider: does it wobble as well? What tricks do you use to fix this issue? Looking forward to your experiences and advice!
pokeo schrieb:
I’m really curious if it’s the same for you when you use KALLAX as a room divider?The KALLAX wobbles? No surprise! IKEA shelves aren’t designed as freestanding room dividers. They’re mainly intended for wall mounting or as lightly loaded shelves in corners. So if you use it as if it were a heavy-duty unit with built-in stabilizers, it’s obvious that it will wobble.
pokeo schrieb:
Maybe it’s due to the construction or because it was originally meant as a standing shelf and not as a freestanding room divider?Exactly! A piece of furniture without a back panel is generally less stable than one with a back panel. The KALLAX does have a thin wooden back panel, but it hardly adds any stability. If the floor is not perfectly level, it will start to tip—that’s normal.
In my opinion, anyone using something like this as a room divider should either reinforce the back panel or opt for sturdy columns or shelves with a thicker construction. Alternatively, secure the unit with brackets to the ceiling or wall—anything else is playing with instability. Don’t get me wrong—I like the KALLAX, but its limitations should be realistically acknowledged.
What I always find interesting is that you don’t have to accept everything exactly as the manufacturer intends. DIY projects are welcome, but please approach them with good judgment and safety in mind.
Hey pokeo, I completely understand your observation! Using the KALLAX as a room divider is very flexible, but sometimes it can be a bit of a wobble adventure 😊.
I set mine up as well and initially had concerns about stability. For me, it helped to stick small felt pads under the feet to compensate for uneven floors. Additionally, I reinforced the unit in some places with dowel clamps and wood glue to bring it together more securely.
Admittedly, this sounds like a DIY hack, but since then the shelf has been surprisingly stable and barely gives way. Plus, adding a bit of paint or decoration makes it feel much more like a genuine piece rather than just a simple shelf.
I completely agree! 🙂 Perhaps the wobbling is also a little invitation to make the furniture piece even more of a personal project. Good luck, and let us know how it goes for you!
I set mine up as well and initially had concerns about stability. For me, it helped to stick small felt pads under the feet to compensate for uneven floors. Additionally, I reinforced the unit in some places with dowel clamps and wood glue to bring it together more securely.
Admittedly, this sounds like a DIY hack, but since then the shelf has been surprisingly stable and barely gives way. Plus, adding a bit of paint or decoration makes it feel much more like a genuine piece rather than just a simple shelf.
theota schrieb:
DIY adventures are welcome, but please with caution and safety in mind.
I completely agree! 🙂 Perhaps the wobbling is also a little invitation to make the furniture piece even more of a personal project. Good luck, and let us know how it goes for you!
Regarding the stability of the KALLAX when used as a room divider, it should be noted that the shelf is not originally designed to stand freely as a room divider by design. The original assembly instructions recommend wall mounting to ensure stability.
The construction with relatively thin central panels and the backing made of thin hardboard material means that under load or with uneven floors, some flexibility can occur.
To improve stability, I recommend the following measures:
1. Ensure an even floor surface: check with a spirit level and adjust the feet if necessary.
2. Reinforce the back panel: replace it with a stronger MDF board or install additional cross braces.
3. Use corner brackets to secure the unit to the ceiling or wall, if possible.
4. Add extra fastening between the shelf components using furniture connectors or screws.
These methods can significantly reduce wobbling without greatly affecting the shelf’s function as a room divider.
That is correct and should be taken into account when using it as a room divider. An independent detailed solution is advisable in this case.
The construction with relatively thin central panels and the backing made of thin hardboard material means that under load or with uneven floors, some flexibility can occur.
To improve stability, I recommend the following measures:
1. Ensure an even floor surface: check with a spirit level and adjust the feet if necessary.
2. Reinforce the back panel: replace it with a stronger MDF board or install additional cross braces.
3. Use corner brackets to secure the unit to the ceiling or wall, if possible.
4. Add extra fastening between the shelf components using furniture connectors or screws.
These methods can significantly reduce wobbling without greatly affecting the shelf’s function as a room divider.
pokeo schrieb:
Maybe it's due to the construction or because it was originally intended more as a standing shelf rather than a freestanding room divider?
That is correct and should be taken into account when using it as a room divider. An independent detailed solution is advisable in this case.
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