ᐅ Retrofitting KALLAX with Soft-Close Doors – Is It Feasible?

Hello everyone,

I am considering whether it is generally feasible to retrofit soft-close doors onto an IKEA KALLAX shelving unit. I have the following questions:

1. What types of soft-close hinges or mechanisms are suitable for KALLAX fronts, which originally have no doors but only open compartments?

2. Is it necessary to modify the side panels of the KALLAX unit to securely attach the hinges, and how complex is this in practice?

3. What about the space requirements inside the KALLAX when fitting soft-close doors? Are there known issues with the door swing or closing movement?

4. And of course: Which tools or skills are recommended for installation to achieve a clean finish?

In short: Does anyone have experience or recommendations on fitting a KALLAX with soft-close doors—and whether this is a practical and durable solution?

Thanks for your insights!

Hello Barconny,

When retrofitting soft-close doors on a KALLAX shelving unit, there are indeed a few important points to consider. I completed this project some time ago and am happy to share my experience:

1. Choice of hinges: It’s best to use special clip-on hinges with a soft-close feature designed for doors without thick carcasses. Standard cabinet hinges usually don’t fit directly because the KALLAX frame is relatively thin.

2. Installation: You will need to modify the side panels of the KALLAX slightly—pre-drill holes and possibly add small reinforcements, as the boards are quite thin and the hinges need a secure attachment. I fixed small wooden blocks or strips inside to provide better support for the hinges.

3. Interior clearance: Make sure the doors do not extend too far into the shelf space. Soft-close hinges require some installation clearance, and the closing action should not be blocked by an edge. Otherwise, the mechanism may jam.

4. Tools: A drill, screwdriver (a cordless drill is better), spirit level, square, and a hinge drill bit (for the common 35mm cup holes) are useful. A ruler and pencil for accurately marking the drilling spots are essential.

In summary: It’s doable but requires some time, craftsmanship, and suitable materials. If you plan carefully and work precisely, you’ll gain a valuable comfort upgrade with soft-close doors.

If you want more details, just ask!

Nabla64 schrieb:
You need to slightly modify the side panels of the KALLAX – that means pre-drilling holes and, if necessary, adding small reinforcements

This is a particularly important point. I would like to elaborate on it a bit more:

The KALLAX shelving unit is made from relatively thin particle board with a melamine coating, which is not designed for directly mounting heavily loaded hinges. Therefore, when installing soft-close hinges, it is advisable to follow these steps:

- Reinforcement: Use continuous wooden strips (e.g., spruce strips measuring 12x12 mm (0.5x0.5 inches)) or MDF strips attached behind the side panel. These should be fixed to the inside of the side panel with wood glue and screws to create a stable base.

- Drill slowly: Pre-drilling prevents cracks and splintering, especially with thin material. A 2-3 mm (0.08-0.12 inch) drill bit works well for avoiding damage.

- Accuracy: Since soft-close hinges often require a 35 mm (1.38 inch) mounting hole for the cup, you need either a hinge drill bit or very precise drilling to ensure the hinge closes properly and does not jam.

- Installation height and alignment: Pay close attention to the door’s alignment – if the door is heavier (e.g., due to paint or thicker panels), the fastening needs to be even more secure.

The internal dimensions of the KALLAX are already quite tight. Depending on the thickness of your doors (15-18 mm (0.6-0.7 inches) plywood or MDF is common), you will need about 2-3 cm (0.8-1.2 inches) of clearance at the back so the soft-close mechanism can function properly.

If you also ensure that the doors are flush with the cabinet frame, the overall look will be very appealing. It’s definitely worth the effort if you work precisely and don’t forget the reinforcements.

One more question to the OP: Are you planning to build the doors yourself or use a combination of IKEA fronts and soft-close hinges?

Domau0 schrieb:
Do you want to build the doors yourself or use a combination of IKEA fronts and soft-close hinges?

Originally, I was thinking of using ready-made doors from the IKEA range, which might even be intended for other furniture, and then adapting them to the KALLAX. My idea is to attach hinges to the left and right sides of the KALLAX shelf and adapt the IKEA doors to them.

I know that the KALLAX shelf does not have pre-made mounting points for doors, so I was specifically thinking of reinforcements to ensure not only support but also stability when opening and closing, without any wobbling.

Nabla64 schrieb:
A ruler and pencil for precisely marking the drilling location are essential.

That sounds very reasonable and important. I will probably borrow a hinge drill since I don’t own one yet.

I also want to ask: How does door alignment work when the KALLAX is placed against a wall? Could any unevenness in the wall affect door closing?

Looking forward to more tips!