ᐅ Kallax doors are hitting the wall – how can I install bumpers?

Hello everyone,

I have the following issue: I’m using the Ikea Kallax shelving unit with doors, but the door fronts sometimes hit the adjacent wall when opening or closing. This is not only annoying but could also cause long-term damage to the doors or the wall. I want to install bumpers or dampers to prevent the impact, but I’m unsure which type of bumper is best suited for this and how they should ideally be mounted.

Specifically: Which bumpers are recommended in terms of material and design for Kallax doors? Should they be attached to the inside of the door, the wall, or the shelving frame? And are there any special tips for mounting to ensure the solution is both stable and visually appealing?

I look forward to your experience and recommendations!

Hello reneke,

First of all, it is very good that you describe the problem specifically, as this allows for more targeted help. Regarding Kallax doors that hit the wall, the key factor is how hard the impact is and how much gap there is between the door and the wall.

In general, silicone or rubber bumpers are recommended because they are elastic and absorb the impact energy. Foam pads are often not durable enough, especially if the doors are opened and closed frequently.

Regarding installation:

1. Inside of the door: Here you can attach small, self-adhesive bumpers to the edges that touch the wall when closing. Advantage: They are invisible from the outside and protect the door itself.

2. Wall side: Larger dampers are useful here. These can be fixed with screws or adhesive. It is important that the surface is clean and smooth so the dampers adhere better.

3. Shelf frame: You can also attach rubber strips or adhesive bumpers that absorb the impact while being barely noticeable visually.

It is also important to check whether the door swings out too far—often, it helps to slightly adjust the hinges or install stop strips.

What exactly does your Kallax look like? Standard depth? How tight is the gap between the door edge and the wall?

This information will help find the perfect solution.

I would recommend simple self-adhesive silicone bumpers that you can attach to the inside of the door. They absorb impact well and are easy to install.

Domau0 schrieb:
What exactly does your Kallax look like? Standard depth? How tight is the gap between the door edge and the wall?

Thank you for your detailed response! My Kallax has the standard depth of 39 cm (15 inches), and the doors are the regular Ikea doors that come with it. The gap between the door edge (when open) and the wall is about 2 cm (0.8 inches). The doors tend to hit the upper part of the door frame against the wall if I close them too quickly. Also, there is a very thin drywall partition to the left of the shelf, so I want to protect the wall as much as possible.

Maybe this helps you better assess the situation.

Hello reneke,

you are dealing with a common situation that many encounter with Kallax units and doors. Especially with narrow clearances and delicate walls, it is important to use effective and durable cushioning. Based on my experience, I recommend the following approach:

First, you should use dampers made of EPDM rubber or silicone with a diameter of 10–15 mm (0.4–0.6 inches) and a thickness of about 3–5 mm (0.1–0.2 inches). These absorb impacts well and are long-lasting.

For installation, it is best to attach buffers on the inner side of the door at the height of the upper corner – exactly where the impact occurs. Additionally, you can apply supplementary cushioning on the wall or the inner side of the shelving unit. Self-adhesive strips made of felt or rubber work well here to further reduce impact noise.

It is also important to thoroughly clean the surfaces before installation, as a poor substrate greatly reduces the durability of the buffers. If you want to invest some time, you can also fine-tune the door by slightly loosening and adjusting the hinges so that it cannot open as far.

Since you have a thin drywall (plasterboard) wall, double protection is especially recommended.

If you like, I can provide sources for suppliers that offer good products.

The best solution is to simply stick small silicone bumpers (for furniture) directly onto the inside edge of the door. This provides good cushioning and usually lasts a long time.