ᐅ KALLAX as a Sideboard in the Living Room – Too Unstable?

Hello everyone,

I am currently considering using an IKEA KALLAX shelf unit as a sideboard in my living room. I have a question: Is a KALLAX too wobbly to use as a sideboard, especially if I want to place a TV or decorative items on top? My concern is that over time it might not provide the stability that a traditional sideboard would offer. Has anyone had similar experiences or can share tips on how to make a KALLAX more stable? Thanks in advance!

KALLAX is not inherently very sturdy. For increased stability, I recommend securing it to the wall or adding extra boards.

Hi Kristopher,

I think your question is very good because the KALLAX is often underestimated when it comes to stability. Basically, the shelving unit is designed for light loads and intended as a room divider. If you want to place heavy equipment like a TV on it, I would definitely recommend securing it to the wall. Adding stabilizers or extra shelves can also help to make the whole structure more rigid.

neoren schrieb:
KALLAX is not particularly solid by design.

Exactly – the legs and frame are thin, so it might wobble if too much weight is concentrated in the middle.

If you like, I can share some tips on wall mounting and reinforcement.

Oh yes, I know that feeling! I once used a KALLAX as a sideboard as well, but only for lighter items – plants, books, and the like. When it wobbles, it somehow makes your home feel less secure. 😉

My advice: place non-slip felt pads under the sideboard and secure it to the wall. This makes it feel much more stable and it hardly wobbles anymore. Plus, it looks really stylish!

Hello Kristopher,

I understand that stability is important to you when it comes to living room furniture. I have a KALLAX myself with a TV on top – it sometimes feels a bit unstable, especially with children in the house who might pull on it.

Maybe you can secure it better by anchoring it to the wall and try to distribute the weight as evenly as possible. That helped me feel more comfortable. However, if you feel very uncertain, I would rather recommend going back to a traditional sideboard.

IKEA offers screw sets for attaching the KALLAX directly to the wall. This makes it very stable. However, without securing it, I would not place anything heavy on it.