ᐅ Are there fully magnetic locking systems available for KALLAX doors?

Hello everyone,

I am currently working on a project where I want to add doors to IKEA KALLAX units. I am wondering if there are fully magnetic locking systems for KALLAX doors that operate without mechanical hinges or latches and open and close solely by magnetic force. It is important to me that this solution is both functional and visually discreet, so it does not interfere with the simple style of the KALLAX doors.

Has anyone had experience with such fully magnetic locking systems? Are there any specific products or build guides that achieve this? I would like to know how secure and reliable such a closure is, especially for everyday use. Additionally, I am interested in tips regarding installation and the materials needed.

Thanks in advance for your insights!

A fully magnetic locking system designed specifically for the door size of KALLAX is not known to me as a standard product. Typically, magnetic catches are used for KALLAX doors, serving as an addition to the hinge to securely close the door.

Magnetic catches alone can be problematic because the magnetic force would need to be very strong to reliably keep a door closed, which in turn makes opening and closing difficult.

Alternatively, there are electromagnetic solutions, but these are rarely used for furniture in practice, mainly due to power supply requirements and costs. In the DIY sector, some use strong neodymium magnets, but always in combination with mechanical guides or stops for stability.

Regarding fully magnetic locking systems for KALLAX doors, it is necessary to go into more detail:

KALLAX doors are usually relatively lightweight but connected by hinges and primarily designed for simple mechanical fastening. If you want to close them purely magnetically, you either need extremely strong neodymium magnets or an electromagnetic holding force.

With strong permanent magnets, the problem arises that opening the door may require too much force—especially if the magnetic connection is meant to be both precise and easy to use. Therefore, magnetic catches are often used, which combine magnetic force with mechanical spring action to facilitate closing.

Another important aspect is the alignment of the magnets: a stable and vibration-free locking method requires precise positioning to ensure permanent adhesion.

Can you tell us the size of your KALLAX and whether you also want to use hinges? I ask this to better assess the technical possibilities.

glamo schrieb:
Can you tell me the size of your KALLAX and whether you want to use hinges as well?

Thanks for asking—details like that really help. It’s a standard KALLAX measuring 77x77 cm (30x30 inches); the door should remain attached on the hinge side, so I’m not looking for a fully detached solution. Mechanical hinges are definitely used, but I would like to implement the closure solely with magnets, without latches or other mechanical locks.

The door isn’t particularly heavy since it uses a thin insert panel. I’m curious whether strong magnets can hold the door closed reliably without making it difficult to open, and what distance or magnet alignment would be advisable.

A guide for implementing a fully magnetic lock on KALLAX doors:

1. Magnet selection: Neodymium magnets of grade N52 provide strong holding force in a compact size. For a 77x77 cm (30x30 inch) door, usually 2-4 magnets placed at the appropriate points are sufficient.

2. Positioning: Magnets should be mounted on the inside of the door and on the cabinet opposite it, so that they align exactly.

3. Gap: A gap of maximum 2-3 mm (0.08-0.12 inch) is advisable to avoid significantly reducing the holding force.

4. Installation: Flat magnets can be recessed to protect the surface.

5. Safety: To prevent the door from swinging open unintentionally, an additional mechanical guide is recommended (e.g., a hinge with defined opening damping).

Common issue: Many underestimate the importance of magnet positioning or use weak magnets that do not hold securely. It is also important that no ferromagnetic foreign materials are between the contact surfaces.

If you want, I can send you an example of the installation.

baansan schrieb:
The door should remain hinged on the hinge side, so I don’t want a fully detached solution.

I find this topic really interesting. 🙂 I once experimented by installing felt-padded magnets in a narrow shelf to test how softly it could open and close.

Of course, if the magnets are too strong, you need muscle power; if they’re too weak, the door won’t stay closed. For your KALLAX doors, I would recommend using 2 or 3 small but strong magnet pairs that pull the door precisely into position, combined with a light hinge that doesn’t have too much tension.

This creates a nice “magnetic catch” without rattling—and looks simple, just as you wanted. You can even recess thin neodymium magnets into the edge so they are almost invisible from the outside.

When opening, it feels almost like a gentle “click” — I think a fully magnetic system like this is really cool for minimalist furniture! 🙂