Hello everyone,
I recently bought a KALLAX shelf unit with doors from IKEA and noticed that the doors do not close perfectly aligned. Specifically, the issue is that the left door sticks out slightly while the right one sits a bit recessed, which looks unattractive and also affects the perceived quality. The hinges seem to be properly installed, and I have already tried adjusting them slightly, but without success. Does anyone have experience or tips on how to align the doors so they close flush next to each other? I am interested in possible causes as well as practical solutions, especially regarding fine adjustments or helpful tools. Thanks in advance!
I recently bought a KALLAX shelf unit with doors from IKEA and noticed that the doors do not close perfectly aligned. Specifically, the issue is that the left door sticks out slightly while the right one sits a bit recessed, which looks unattractive and also affects the perceived quality. The hinges seem to be properly installed, and I have already tried adjusting them slightly, but without success. Does anyone have experience or tips on how to align the doors so they close flush next to each other? I am interested in possible causes as well as practical solutions, especially regarding fine adjustments or helpful tools. Thanks in advance!
Hey Lobura!
I know exactly how frustrating it is when the KALLAX doors don’t close properly! :-)
One thing you definitely should check: Are the hinges fully tightened? Sometimes a loose screw is all it takes for the door to hang unevenly.
A great tip: try stabilizing the edges of the doors with a small plastic wedge or even felt pads to help keep them in place. I did that once and it worked really well!
Also, you can adjust the screws on the hinges with a screwdriver—usually there are adjustment options on the side and at the front. It’s a bit fiddly, but the doors will fit much better after that!
Don’t get discouraged, this is usually more about fine-tuning than a major problem—I’m keeping my fingers crossed that you’ll get it fixed quickly! 🙂
I know exactly how frustrating it is when the KALLAX doors don’t close properly! :-)
One thing you definitely should check: Are the hinges fully tightened? Sometimes a loose screw is all it takes for the door to hang unevenly.
A great tip: try stabilizing the edges of the doors with a small plastic wedge or even felt pads to help keep them in place. I did that once and it worked really well!
Also, you can adjust the screws on the hinges with a screwdriver—usually there are adjustment options on the side and at the front. It’s a bit fiddly, but the doors will fit much better after that!
Don’t get discouraged, this is usually more about fine-tuning than a major problem—I’m keeping my fingers crossed that you’ll get it fixed quickly! 🙂
Hello Lobura,
First, regarding the possible cause: The KALLAX shelving unit itself must be completely level and plumb. Even a slight tilt or uneven floor can cause the doors not to close properly. Please check with a spirit level to make sure the unit is aligned horizontally and vertically.
Furthermore, it is recommended to systematically adjust the doors at the hinges. Most IKEA hinges have three adjustment screws: one for height, one for depth, and one for lateral offset. These allow you to fine-tune the doors with almost millimeter precision.
Here is a brief guide:
1. Check that the hinges are firmly attached.
2. Open the door and use a Phillips screwdriver to adjust the lateral screw – this moves the door horizontally.
3. The height adjustment ensures that both doors close at the same level.
4. The depth adjustment controls how far the door sits against the shelving unit.
Sometimes, tensions in the wood or slight manufacturing tolerances are the reason. If the unit is standing on an uneven floor, leveling the floor slightly or placing felt or plastic pads underneath can help.
In my experience, it is worth taking these steps calmly and systematically. If the doors still do not align properly, contacting IKEA customer service for a possible complaint may be advisable.
First, regarding the possible cause: The KALLAX shelving unit itself must be completely level and plumb. Even a slight tilt or uneven floor can cause the doors not to close properly. Please check with a spirit level to make sure the unit is aligned horizontally and vertically.
Furthermore, it is recommended to systematically adjust the doors at the hinges. Most IKEA hinges have three adjustment screws: one for height, one for depth, and one for lateral offset. These allow you to fine-tune the doors with almost millimeter precision.
Here is a brief guide:
1. Check that the hinges are firmly attached.
2. Open the door and use a Phillips screwdriver to adjust the lateral screw – this moves the door horizontally.
3. The height adjustment ensures that both doors close at the same level.
4. The depth adjustment controls how far the door sits against the shelving unit.
Sometimes, tensions in the wood or slight manufacturing tolerances are the reason. If the unit is standing on an uneven floor, leveling the floor slightly or placing felt or plastic pads underneath can help.
In my experience, it is worth taking these steps calmly and systematically. If the doors still do not align properly, contacting IKEA customer service for a possible complaint may be advisable.
olivernu schrieb:
… most IKEA hinges have three adjustment screws: one for height, one for depth, and one for lateral offset…I would like to explain this point in a bit more detail, as many people are still unsure about it:
The lateral screw moves the door side to side, so the door shifts left or right, while the vertical position remains unchanged. The height adjustment affects how high or low the door sits. The latter can often also be adjusted via the hinge mounting, depending on the model. The depth adjustment controls how close the door sits to the cabinet frame, meaning whether it sticks out slightly or is flush.
If you have the problem that the doors do not close evenly or align properly, it usually helps to adjust these three screws one after another in small increments—always closing the doors in between to check the result.
Additionally, I would make sure that the cabinet stands firmly on the floor, as olivernu already mentioned. You might also be able to slightly adjust the hinge mounting position by using precisely cut shims or small pieces of wood.
Have you tried loosening the screws, realigning the door, and then tightening them again? Sometimes a complete realignment of the doors can help if the installation wasn’t perfectly accurate.
I hope this helps! 🙂
Annedeo schrieb:
If you have the problem that the doors do not close at the same height and are not aligned, it usually helps to adjust these three screws one after the other and in small incrementsExactly.
Additionally, check whether the hinges on the cabinet itself are properly installed and not incorrectly pre-drilled. If the door still doesn’t close properly, try swapping the hinges. This will help determine whether the issue is with the hinge or the door.
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