ᐅ Experiences with Roller Construction Systems for KALLAX?

Hello everyone,

I am planning to build a rolling base for my IKEA KALLAX shelf unit to make it easier to move. I’m wondering about your experiences with such rolling constructions for KALLAX. Specifically, I am interested in details about the stability, whether the casters reliably support the weight over time, what type of casters (e.g., with or without brakes) you have used, and how much effort the assembly involved. Additionally, it would be useful to know if the weight on the casters might cause the KALLAX frame to deform, or if there are any special considerations when selecting the casters. I want to be able not only to slide the shelf but occasionally reposition it completely without disassembling it.

Looking forward to your practical tips and firsthand experiences!

Hello SEFLO,

I have already fitted two KALLAX shelves with caster assemblies and can share some insights.

First, regarding the choice of casters: I strongly recommend polyurethane swivel casters, ideally with two of them having brakes. These run smoothly, leave no marks, and are extremely durable. It is important that the casters have a wheel load capacity of at least 25 kg (55 lbs); I chose 30 kg (66 lbs) to ensure heavy books or decorations are no problem.

For the installation, I attached the casters to the bottom of the KALLAX using angle brackets with sufficiently large screws. You need to be very precise and place the screws not too close to the edge to prevent the wood from splitting. I also used wood glue to increase stability. The installation requires some craftsmanship and good drill bits – pre-drilling is essential!

Regarding stability: If you move the shelf frequently, it is advisable to mount the casters as close to the corners as possible to avoid wobbling. The construction has remained stable for me over several years with no warping. However, I have noticed slight wear marks on the base of a shelf fitted with casters that were too small.

Question: Approximately how heavily do you load your shelf? And how often do you plan to move it? This can affect the type of casters and mounting method needed.

Hello SEFLO and all other KALLAX fans! 😄

I can only agree with bapar, but I think the choice of casters is also a bit of a style statement. I bought some with slightly textured rubber for my KALLAX; they not only roll great but also look good with the light wood. Very practical when you want to quickly move the shelf out of the way in the evening (for vacuuming or when your partner comes to borrow books 😉). A brake is a must for me—I hate it when everything starts sliding around while you just want to sit comfortably!

What I find really important: remember to always test the casters before screwing everything in place. It took me a bit of fiddling at first until they rolled smoothly and nothing wobbled. Such a construction can quickly become unstable if the casters are not all the same height.

So: enjoy assembling, and don’t forget the brakes! 🙂

Hello everyone,

I find this topic very interesting because I am considering making my KALLAX mobile with casters, although I am still unsure if I can install them properly.

I have some concerns that the casters might make the shelf unstable or that the structure could become prone to damage. However, it is very reassuring to hear from @bapar about long-term stability.

I’m curious whether you added any special reinforcements when attaching the casters? Just screws, or also metal brackets, glue, or something else? And is the usage daily or more occasional?

Thanks in advance for the helpful experiences, I already feel a bit more confident! 🙂

Timmyse36 schrieb:
I’m interested to know if you have added any special reinforcements to the roller hangers?

Good question! As I’ve mentioned before, I use angle brackets combined with multipurpose screws (pan head, 4x30 mm (1.6x1.2 inches)) for the attachments. I also fix the brackets in place with wood glue because the shear forces when sliding shouldn’t be underestimated.

Additionally, I make sure the screws are always driven into solid wood—not too close to edges or particleboard panels held together by chipboard alone. For example, the KALLAX material is basically a veneer over particleboard, which isn’t very strong when only small screws are used.

Use case: For me, the rollers get moved back and forth daily to rearrange the room or for cleaning. That’s why I strongly recommend making the attachment as sturdy as possible; otherwise, you’ll quickly have problems with wobbly rollers.

@SEFLO: What is the planned weight of the fully loaded shelving unit?

Simply screw casters with brakes under the four corners, paying attention to the quality of the casters (not cheap), and you're all set.

If the weight is too heavy, it’s better to use more casters or larger ones.