ᐅ Ikea KALLAX and Open-Plan Living – Does It Feel Bulky?

I am currently planning the setup of my new apartment, which features an open floor plan with flowing spaces and no fixed partitions between the living room, dining area, and kitchen. I am considering using the well-known Ikea KALLAX shelf unit as a room divider.

My question is: Does the KALLAX, especially in the larger sizes and with its typical cubic shape, appear bulky and too dominant in an open floor plan? Or does the unit actually manage to define the space without overwhelming it? I’m uncertain because, on one hand, I want to create a visual separation, but on the other hand, I don’t want to limit the openness and spaciousness. Perhaps someone has experience or tips on how to best use the KALLAX in open layouts without it feeling too heavy?

The Ikea KALLAX shelf is often used as a room divider, but with larger sizes and heavy placement, it can create a somewhat bulky visual effect. This is partly due to the relatively thick edges and the uniform cubic design, which tends to draw a lot of attention.

For open-plan living spaces, I recommend using the shelf at a lower height or combined with open compartments to maintain visibility. Alternatively, placing individual KALLAX units side by side instead of one large shelf can make the structure less dominant.

Another tip: Light colors and especially backlighting can help reduce the sense of heaviness. If possible, choose a location where the shelf complements the wall colors or flooring to avoid strong contrasts.

elliot schrieb:
This is partly due to the relatively thick edges and the consistent cubic structure, which strongly catches the eye visually.

From my perspective, this is a key point. The KALLAX units are quite solidly built because of their material thickness and cubic geometry, which can appear bulky in an open living concept if used as full-height room dividers.

If you want to use the shelving unit as a partition, I recommend always combining it with additional transparent or open elements. Some people, for example, use KALLAX as a base and place glass panels or plants on top to reduce the visual heaviness.

Furthermore, the placement should be carefully planned: the unit appears more dominant when directly in the line of sight than when offset to the side. The width also plays a role – units that are too wide can interfere with the spatial perception.

A small tip: Ikea also offers KALLAX in half depth (e.g., 30cm (12 inches) instead of 40cm (16 inches)), which can make the unit appear more delicate. This provides less storage space but significantly improves the visual lightness.

How large is your room, and what dimensions did you plan for the shelving unit? The existing furnishing style and lighting conditions are also important for the overall effect.

In my experience, the KALLAX shelf can work quite well in open-plan living spaces if it is placed thoughtfully.

A common mistake is to use it centrally in the room as a tall partition, which quickly diminishes the open feel of the space.

I would rather use it as a low divider or alternate it with top panels to allow visibility. Decorative elements like baskets or open compartments also help.

If the KALLAX shelf is additionally color-matched to the surroundings (e.g., wood finish or painted surface in a light color), the transition can be smoother and it appears less dominant.

Lujome schrieb:
Or can the shelving unit actually divide the space without overwhelming it?

In my opinion, this is less about the shelving unit itself and more about how it is placed within the space. A solid piece of furniture will always create a clear spatial division, but it also leads to a stronger visual boundary.

I also wonder about the actual function: Do you want to separate the space purely visually, or are you aiming to create storage as well?

If it’s only about dividing the area, a transparent or half-height partition (e.g., a room divider with a metal frame and open sections) might be more suitable than a solid shelving unit.

It would also be helpful to know if you want to keep one side open as a passage, since the KALLAX with open compartments on both sides could offer advantages here.

GUIDE: For a flexible room division without a dominating effect, the furniture should be light, open, and possibly multifunctional. Although the KALLAX is modular, its standard form is quite cubic and solid—small adjustments can help reduce this impact.

The KALLAX is really great! 🙂 I’ve used it myself as a room divider in my open-plan living and dining area, and it doesn’t feel bulky at all. Of course, you need to place it thoughtfully and maybe combine it with lighter decorative items or plants.

It creates a nice structure and adds coziness to the space without overwhelming it.

You can also leave some compartments open and fill others with baskets – this really breaks up the overall look! So don’t worry, just give it a try, it’s really clever and flexible. It’s a lot of fun!!! 🙂