ᐅ Has anyone installed solid wood flooring inside Kallax compartments?
Created on: 19 Apr 2015 09:12
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Laru36Hello everyone, I am currently planning to modify my IKEA Kallax shelves a bit, and I am considering replacing the usual shelf boards in some compartments with sturdy solid wood boards. Has anyone had experience with this and maybe installed solid wood boards in Kallax compartments themselves? I am especially interested in how the measurements work out, which types of wood are suitable, the best methods to secure the boards, and whether the stability is really better than the original shelves. Any advice on working with the wood or protecting it (e.g., surface treatment) would also be very helpful. Thanks in advance for your tips! 🙂
Hello Laru36, I have installed solid wood shelves in Kallax compartments several times and would be happy to share some basic tips with you.
First of all, you need to measure the exact internal dimensions of your Kallax compartments, as the standard insert shelves from IKEA usually only fill about 3/4 of the space to allow easy installation. Solid wood shelves should therefore be custom-made to precise measurements – ideally with a minimal tolerance of 1–2 mm (0.04–0.08 inches) less, so you don’t have to force them in too tightly and risk the wood swelling.
I recommend hardwood species such as beech, oak, or ash, as these are very durable and visually attractive. Softer woods tend to warp more easily, especially with fluctuating humidity.
For surface treatment, I suggest multiple applications of oil with hardwax or a durable, matte lacquer finish to make the shelf more resistant to scratches and moisture.
The shelves are best secured with wooden battens or small brackets screwed to the inside bottom of the shelving unit. Alternatively, you can use sturdy wooden wedges if you want the shelf to remain removable.
Important: Pay attention to the weight and load capacity of the Kallax frame, as thicker solid wood shelves can significantly increase the overall weight, which is especially important for larger units. If you plan to store heavy items on them, consider additionally supporting the shelves from underneath.
Would you like to know how I cut the wood? Or which specific surface treatment I used?
First of all, you need to measure the exact internal dimensions of your Kallax compartments, as the standard insert shelves from IKEA usually only fill about 3/4 of the space to allow easy installation. Solid wood shelves should therefore be custom-made to precise measurements – ideally with a minimal tolerance of 1–2 mm (0.04–0.08 inches) less, so you don’t have to force them in too tightly and risk the wood swelling.
I recommend hardwood species such as beech, oak, or ash, as these are very durable and visually attractive. Softer woods tend to warp more easily, especially with fluctuating humidity.
For surface treatment, I suggest multiple applications of oil with hardwax or a durable, matte lacquer finish to make the shelf more resistant to scratches and moisture.
The shelves are best secured with wooden battens or small brackets screwed to the inside bottom of the shelving unit. Alternatively, you can use sturdy wooden wedges if you want the shelf to remain removable.
Important: Pay attention to the weight and load capacity of the Kallax frame, as thicker solid wood shelves can significantly increase the overall weight, which is especially important for larger units. If you plan to store heavy items on them, consider additionally supporting the shelves from underneath.
Would you like to know how I cut the wood? Or which specific surface treatment I used?
DINASAN schrieb:
Would you like to know how I cut the wood? Or which specific surface treatment I used?Yes, that would be great, thanks! I don’t have the means to cut a wooden board myself yet and I believe that cutting it at the supplier is necessary. I’m also interested in the thickness of the beams used for the baseboards, and if you have any tips to prevent the floors in the Kallax from warping.
Hello Laru36, I can confirm from personal experience that it’s worth having the shelves made from solid wood – not only does it look more elegant, but it also lasts longer than the usual shelf boards.
If you don’t have experience ordering wood yet: many timber suppliers or hardware stores offer cutting services. You provide the measurements, and they plane the boards to size. Just make sure the supplier also delivers the boards nicely sanded and possibly beveled, as this will save you work at home.
The standard Kallax internal dimensions are about 33x33cm (13x13 inches) per compartment, as described by DINASAN, but it’s best to measure both width and depth exactly, since the shelves require a tight fit.
For installation, I simply screwed small wooden strips (about 1.5x1.5cm (0.6x0.6 inches)) to the inside edges of the shelf frame to prevent the boards from slipping. This guarantees proper support on top.
You should also treat the surface, as small dents can occur quickly with use – a clear hard wax oil is perfectly sufficient and preserves the beautiful wood grain.
If you want, I can also give you tips on where to order affordable solid wood online.
If you don’t have experience ordering wood yet: many timber suppliers or hardware stores offer cutting services. You provide the measurements, and they plane the boards to size. Just make sure the supplier also delivers the boards nicely sanded and possibly beveled, as this will save you work at home.
The standard Kallax internal dimensions are about 33x33cm (13x13 inches) per compartment, as described by DINASAN, but it’s best to measure both width and depth exactly, since the shelves require a tight fit.
For installation, I simply screwed small wooden strips (about 1.5x1.5cm (0.6x0.6 inches)) to the inside edges of the shelf frame to prevent the boards from slipping. This guarantees proper support on top.
You should also treat the surface, as small dents can occur quickly with use – a clear hard wax oil is perfectly sufficient and preserves the beautiful wood grain.
If you want, I can also give you tips on where to order affordable solid wood online.
SARBLA1 schrieb:
If you have no experience ordering wood yet: Many timber suppliers or DIY stores offer cutting servicesGood to know that pre-cut boards are also available! I want to choose a wood thickness of at least 18 mm (0.7 inches) for stability anyway – I planned sufficient load capacity to also place books or electronics on it.
SARBLA1 schrieb:
When assembling, I simply screwed small wood strips (about 1.5 x 1.5 cm) to the inside sides of the shelves to prevent the boards from slipping.How exactly did you fix them? From underneath or from the front edge? Is drilling into the Kallax frame necessary?
Regarding cutting: I strongly recommend having solid wood cut with precisely square edges, as inaccurate cuts can cause the floorboards to either jam or sit unevenly later on. Most timber suppliers can usually provide this service without issue, and some even offer planed and sanded surfaces.
That makes sense; the original Kallax shelves are much thinner (9-12 mm (0.35-0.47 inches)?). Solid wood at 18 mm (0.71 inches) offers greater rigidity and feels more high-quality.
For fixing:
I fully attached small wooden battens inside to the side panels using small screws. This way, the shelves rest on these battens and cannot shift sideways. You can also attach the battens from below if the appearance of the front edge is more important.
For bracing:
Solid wood can expand, so I recommend leaving a small gap between the shelf sides and the compartment walls (about 1-2 mm (0.04-0.08 inches)). Additionally, you can install two small wooden spacers on the back panel to prevent the shelf from sagging too much, especially in longer units.
What type of wood are you considering?
Laru36 schrieb:
I want to choose a wood thickness of at least 18 mm for stability anyway
That makes sense; the original Kallax shelves are much thinner (9-12 mm (0.35-0.47 inches)?). Solid wood at 18 mm (0.71 inches) offers greater rigidity and feels more high-quality.
For fixing:
I fully attached small wooden battens inside to the side panels using small screws. This way, the shelves rest on these battens and cannot shift sideways. You can also attach the battens from below if the appearance of the front edge is more important.
For bracing:
Solid wood can expand, so I recommend leaving a small gap between the shelf sides and the compartment walls (about 1-2 mm (0.04-0.08 inches)). Additionally, you can install two small wooden spacers on the back panel to prevent the shelf from sagging too much, especially in longer units.
What type of wood are you considering?
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