ᐅ KALLAX does not fit in the elevator – how to transport it?

Hello everyone,

I’m facing the problem that my newly purchased IKEA KALLAX shelving cube doesn’t fit in our elevator. The elevator’s dimensions are 85 cm (33 inches) wide, 110 cm (43 inches) deep, and 210 cm (83 inches) high. The KALLAX unit measures 77 x 77 x 39 cm (30 x 30 x 15 inches). However, it doesn’t fully fit in terms of depth because the elevator shaft has some indentations and the door is a bit narrower – overall, the shelf didn’t seem to fit despite the correct measurements.

Now I’m wondering how I can reliably and with as little damage as possible transport my KALLAX shelf to my apartment on the 4th floor. Do you have any tips on the best way to disassemble, carry, or secure the shelf? Are there any clever tricks others have used to move it without an elevator? I don’t have a hand truck or any professional equipment but I also want to avoid damaging the shelf or injuring anyone during the move.

Looking forward to your experience and advice!

Orhankeo schrieb:
Well, the elevator measures 85 cm (33.5 inches) wide, 110 cm (43 inches) deep, the door is slightly narrower

Hey, that sounds like a typical IKEA challenge! 😄 My tip: KALLAX is fairly easy to take apart. If you haven’t tried that yet, check if the back panel of the shelf can be removed. Usually, you can disassemble the unit into separate parts, so you can carry the bottom panels and side walls separately.

Otherwise, if you want to transport it as a whole piece, try tilting it slightly, as if maneuvering it through a narrow doorway. Often, with some patience, you can rotate and tilt it to get it through. And if the elevator really doesn’t work, it might be worth arranging helpers and carrying the parts up through the stairwell.

Fingers crossed it works out! 🙂

Oh wow, that’s exciting! 😊 I had exactly the same problem when I tried to carry a KALLAX upstairs – the elevator door was just too narrow. Luckily, I have a friend who’s pretty strong, so we ended up taking it apart and carrying it up the stairs piece by piece.

My advice: definitely use a large cloth or blanket for padding to prevent scratches! If there’s a hardware store or furniture store nearby, check out carrying straps – they make lifting and carrying much easier.

Very important: make sure to take breaks regularly; otherwise, it can be really exhausting. But hey, afterwards the magazine will surely be super proud of your new shelving unit! Good luck! 🙂

First, it should be ensured that the KALLAX cannot actually be disassembled. A complete disassembly is possible by loosening the screws at the connection points of the side panels and shelves – especially important is the back panel, which is usually only snapped in and secured with a few nails.

This significantly eases transportation and minimizes the risk of damage to the shelving parts and building structures.

Alternatively, check whether the elevator can accommodate the dimensions of the open door or the corridor in the stairwell. If this is technically not possible, the only remaining option is probably transport via the stairwell, ideally with two people using suitable protective clothing and transport aids.

Another option is to lay the KALLAX on its side in the stairwell to maneuver it more easily through the narrow opening.

Orhankeo schrieb:
The elevator measures 85cm (33 inches) in width, 110cm (43 inches) in depth, the door is slightly narrower

From a technical perspective, the key factors are the transparency of the overall dimensions of the KALLAX including its outer packaging, as well as the exact shaft and door measurements. An important point: recesses in the shaft can effectively reduce the usable space, so even if the floor area seems sufficient, the shelf may not fit through.

My suggested approach:

1. Check if the back panel of the KALLAX is only slotted in place. Usually, this is the case. Carefully removing it can significantly reduce the depth.

2. If that is not enough, consider fully unscrewing the screws on the side frame and removing the shelves. The unit can then be transported as flat packages.

3. If partial assembly is desired, identify the most stable connection points for reassembly at the destination.

4. In the stairwell, be sure to protect walls and corners adequately – for example, with blankets or foam padding.

5. If all else fails: a professional moving service with telescopic carrying aids or dollies might be expensive, but reliable.

One more question:
What has been your experience with assembling and disassembling furniture of this model? Have you arranged tools and assistance? This will help tailor the advice better.

Palenar schrieb:
Check if the back panel of the KALLAX is just slotted in

Additionally, here is a step-by-step tutorial for mostly gentle transport:

1. Prepare tools: Phillips screwdriver, hammer and putty knife if needed.
2. Carefully loosen the back panel with a putty knife at the attachment points, so it does not get damaged.
3. Use the screwdriver to disassemble the side panels and shelves of the unit. Keep the screws organized!
4. Pack the parts well or protect them with blankets.
5. For transport: wear slip-resistant shoes, keep your back straight, and work as a team.

Common mistakes:
- Tearing off the back panel instead of loosening it: The back panel is important for stability but can be removed without much force.
- Losing screws.

Using this method, you can often easily transport the parts in an elevator or maneuver them through staircases. Good luck!