ᐅ Experience: Do odors tend to linger in the KALLAX after painting?

Hello everyone,

I am about to paint my new KALLAX shelf from IKEA myself. I’m wondering: does the smell of the paint or primer usually linger for a long time with the KALLAX? I plan to have the shelf in the living room, so a strong or persistent odor would be quite bothersome. Has anyone experienced how long the smells from painting this kind of furniture typically last? Perhaps there are differences depending on the type of paint or room ventilation?

Thanks in advance for your insights and tips!

The question is valid. It would also be important to know exactly which type of paint you are using. Water-based paints usually have a less intense smell and evaporate more quickly than solvent-based ones.

How you treat the shelf after painting (e.g., ventilation, temperature, humidity) also plays a role. There are studies showing that in closed rooms, the odor can persist for several weeks if there is insufficient ventilation.

But I wonder: What exactly do you have planned? Multiple coats? Sanding between layers? That also affects the smell.

ODINFLO schrieb:
The question is valid. It would also be important to know exactly which paint you are using.

Thank you for asking, that’s a good point. I plan to use a matte water-based acrylic paint. The plan is to apply two to three coats, allowing sufficient drying time between each layer. The room is well ventilated, with windows that I can open after painting. Still, I have heard that especially with furniture like the KALLAX, which is made of particleboard, the odors can linger for a long time.

How long can one generally expect the smell to be noticeable? Days? Weeks? Or even months?

Hey, I painted my KALLAX with water-based, matte paint from the hardware store – the smell was really gone after about 3-4 days! 🙂 I also made sure to air the room several times every day.

That’s great if you can use it again quickly! So don’t worry, if you ventilate regularly, the odor shouldn’t last long.

Good luck with painting, it will turn out great!

Water-based paints dry quickly, usually becoming odorless within 2-5 days.

Important: Ensure good ventilation and avoid applying layers that are too thick.

If you apply thin layers of paint and allow everything to dry thoroughly, the smell will not last long.

However, with particleboard, the odor can also come from the material itself if it remains damp.