ᐅ Kallax doors are hitting the floor – what could be the cause?

Hello everyone,

I recently bought a Kallax shelf unit from IKEA and plan to add doors to make it look tidier and nicer. However, I noticed that the doors hit the floor when I open or close them. The doors are original and should fit the frame perfectly in terms of dimensions – yet the hinge or the adjustment seems to be off somehow.

My question is: what could be causing the Kallax doors to hit the floor? Is it due to hinge adjustment, uneven flooring, possible warping of the shelf, or maybe the door panels being too long? Has anyone experienced this issue and can share tips on how to fix it neatly without major modifications?

I look forward to your helpful advice!

Most of the time, this is due to incorrect hinge adjustment. First, try adjusting the doors upward so they don’t rub against the floor. That should help.

If the floor is uneven, the doors may still hit even if the hinges are properly installed. It is best to check the floor level with a spirit level and, if necessary, place small feet under the shelf.

Hello Fredrik34,

I am quite familiar with this issue, as I have installed doors on Kallax shelves myself. It is important to first understand that the doors usually come in standardized sizes that fit the shelves perfectly—provided everything is level. If your doors are hitting the floor at the bottom, there can be several reasons:

1. Hinges not adjusted properly: Most Kallax hinge systems allow for vertical and horizontal adjustment. If the doors hang too low, they will hit the floor. It is advisable to check the adjustment screws on the hinges with the door closed and lift the door slightly.

2. Uneven floor: If the floor is uneven or the shelf is tilting, the height of the doors relative to the floor changes.

3. Warped doors or cabinet: Wood and MDF can warp slightly with moisture, especially if the doors have been installed for a long time.

4. Incorrect door dimensions: With replacements or self-made doors, small deviations can occur.

A tip: Make sure the doors hang with a slight gap above the floor so they have some clearance. This will prevent both hitting the floor and damage to the flooring or doors.

If you like, I can also explain exactly how to adjust the hinges. Best regards!

gregto schrieb:
If the doors hang too low, they will hit the bottom. It is recommended to check the adjustment screws on the hinges with the door closed and to slightly lift the door.

Thank you very much for the detailed explanation. Is it common for IKEA Kallax doors to have height-adjustable hinges? I actually thought they were fixed in place.

Also, is there an easy way to measure the gap from the floor accurately so that there is not too much or too little clearance? My floor is fairly even, so I don’t think the problem is there.

Hello Fredrik34,

You can actually adjust the hinges on several axes, even on IKEA products like Kallax. Typically, there are three adjustment options:

- Vertical adjustment (up/down)
- Horizontal adjustment (left/right)
- Depth adjustment (inward/outward)

This means you can slide the door upward if it hits the floor at the bottom. You don’t need a special torque wrench for this – usually, a Phillips screwdriver is enough.

You can roughly determine the distance from the floor like this: close the door, then measure from the bottom edge of the door to the floor using a ruler or tape measure. A gap of about 5mm (0.2 inches) is ideal if you don’t have any carpets. This prevents the door from hitting the floor and allows enough clearance to open easily.

If the floor is truly level, I would start by trying to adjust the hinges first. Sometimes, the doors are mounted slightly downward at the factory and can be corrected by adjusting them.

Good luck!