ᐅ KALLAX Compartments Rattle Under Heavy Load – How to Prevent It?

Hello everyone,

Some time ago, I bought an IKEA KALLAX shelving unit with compartments and have been using it heavily for various heavy items, including books and electronics. I noticed that the compartments rattle quite a bit under load, which is especially annoying during movement or slight vibrations.

My specific question to the community is: How can I prevent or at least significantly reduce the rattling of the KALLAX compartments when they are heavily loaded? What tried-and-true methods exist to make the compartments more stable without having to extensively modify the furniture?

I look forward to your tips and experiences!

The rattling often comes from gaps between the compartments and the shelving structure. A simple solution is to attach felt pads or foam rubber to the contact surfaces. This cushions the movements and effectively reduces the noise.

Faustodo schrieb:
How can I prevent or at least significantly reduce the rattling of KALLAX compartments when they are heavily loaded?

The issue with rattling KALLAX compartments under heavy load often comes down to the relatively simple hanging mechanism and the material of the shelving unit. The compartments are usually just hung in place, which, under higher weight and slight movement, can cause them to fit loosely and create noise.

One practical, technical solution is to first remove the compartments and apply thin felt or rubber strips along the edges where they contact the shelf structure. These strips reduce friction and eliminate gaps, so the compartment has less play. It is important that the strips are not too thick to ensure they still fit correctly.

Additionally, small wooden wedges or custom-made spacers can be used discreetly inside or at connection points. This creates a more stable fit that moves less under load and therefore rattles less.

A question for you: Are your compartments still original, or have you perhaps replaced them with shelves or made your own modifications? If so, how are they mounted? That could influence the best way to address this issue.

PLOMA schrieb:
The shelves are usually just hung in place, which can cause them to not fit securely under heavier loads and slight movements

That’s pretty much spot on! I have the same shelving unit and simply attached felt pads to the corners – super simple and it really makes a difference.

Also, for particularly heavy items, I’ve sometimes used small tension straps inside the shelves, like straps or belts, to keep them from sliding around. Works surprisingly well and they were cheap at the hardware store.

Not high-tech, but it keeps the rattling under control and it doesn’t look out of place. 🙂

Faustodo schrieb:
How can I prevent or at least reduce the rattling of the KALLAX compartments when they are heavily loaded?

I completely understand the frustration – I’ve dealt with this issue myself!

Besides the mentioned solutions using felt strips or rubber bumpers, hook-and-loop fasteners (Velcro) are also an option because they adapt flexibly. If the shelving unit is placed against a wall, properly securing it with wall anchors or brackets can help. This reduces the vibrations that cause the compartments to rattle.

Another tip is to distribute the weight as evenly as possible so that no single compartment is overloaded. Place heavy items preferably on the bottom compartments to keep the downward pressure stable. While this is more of a preventative measure, it does reduce movement in the compartments.

If you like, you can describe which items are putting stress on the shelf and whether it is located in a high-traffic area. Some locations transmit vibrations more strongly than others.