Hello everyone,
I am planning to get a KALLAX shelf from IKEA to use as a bookshelf, but I am wondering if the load capacity of the individual compartments is really sufficient to safely hold many heavy books. According to the product information, each compartment usually supports up to 13 kg (29 lbs), which doesn’t seem like much at first, considering that some books can be quite heavy.
I have read that especially when fully loaded and over a longer period, the material may deform or even break. Therefore, I am interested in:
What are your experiences using the KALLAX purely as a bookshelf? Do you find the load capacity adequate, or would you recommend reinforcing the shelves?
Are there any tips on how to use the shelf as stably as possible without risking it giving way under the weight?
Thank you in advance for your opinions and experiences!
I am planning to get a KALLAX shelf from IKEA to use as a bookshelf, but I am wondering if the load capacity of the individual compartments is really sufficient to safely hold many heavy books. According to the product information, each compartment usually supports up to 13 kg (29 lbs), which doesn’t seem like much at first, considering that some books can be quite heavy.
I have read that especially when fully loaded and over a longer period, the material may deform or even break. Therefore, I am interested in:
What are your experiences using the KALLAX purely as a bookshelf? Do you find the load capacity adequate, or would you recommend reinforcing the shelves?
Are there any tips on how to use the shelf as stably as possible without risking it giving way under the weight?
Thank you in advance for your opinions and experiences!
Pome60 schrieb:
I always place my heavy books at the bottom and in the center, which provides a lot of stabilityThat’s exactly how I would do it too! 🙂 And if you really want to reinforce the shelves: a thin metal strip along the front edge adds stiffness without affecting the design.
The Kallax is actually a flexible system – you can get a lot out of it with a few simple tricks.
Usferu schrieb:
I have read that especially under full load and over longer periods, the material might deform or even break.Interesting, but I wonder if this is a fundamental issue with low-cost particle board shelving units. The KALLAX shelves may look nice, but anyone with a serious collection might want to invest in something more sturdy.
In my experience, these tend to give way quickly under too much weight, even if you stack cleverly. The supposed load capacity is more theoretical. That’s why I wonder if it isn’t more effective to opt for solid wood or metal-reinforced shelves from the start – even if they are more expensive.
For everyday use, KALLAX is perfectly sufficient, unless several hundred books are stored on one shelf.
For very heavy volumes, there are more cost-effective solutions with solid wood or metal frames.
The load capacity of 13 kg (29 lbs) per shelf should not be exceeded, as this may cause bending.
For very heavy volumes, there are more cost-effective solutions with solid wood or metal frames.
The load capacity of 13 kg (29 lbs) per shelf should not be exceeded, as this may cause bending.
Thank you very much for the numerous and helpful responses!
In summary, everyone seems to agree that KALLAX is a solid base for a bookshelf, as long as the load capacity per shelf is observed and ideally the weight is distributed evenly.
The idea of using wooden slats and possibly metal profiles sounds great; I will check that out on my next visit to the hardware store.
If anyone has tips on how to secure it to the wall, please share!
In summary, everyone seems to agree that KALLAX is a solid base for a bookshelf, as long as the load capacity per shelf is observed and ideally the weight is distributed evenly.
The idea of using wooden slats and possibly metal profiles sounds great; I will check that out on my next visit to the hardware store.
If anyone has tips on how to secure it to the wall, please share!
Usferu schrieb:
If anyone has tips on wall mountingYou should definitely use appropriate wall anchors matched to the wall material (concrete, drywall, etc.). IKEA often provides suitable mounting kits, but these are not always ideal for every type of wall.
If possible, attach the shelf to load-bearing walls and regularly check the brackets. For drywall, it is worthwhile to reinforce by locating studs or using specialized toggle anchors.
Similar topics