ᐅ Kallax on Casters – Experiences with Brakes?

Hello everyone,

I am planning to mount my Kallax shelf unit on casters to make it easier to move around the room. This raises an important question for me: What are your experiences with the brakes on such casters?

I want to avoid the shelf rolling away or becoming unstable under load, especially when heavy books or other items are placed on it. I am particularly interested in how reliable the braking mechanisms are, whether they hold up well in everyday use, and if there are specific models you would recommend.

Are there any special considerations during installation or tips to use the brakes as effectively as possible?

Thank you in advance for your feedback!

Folke32 schrieb:
What are your experiences with the brakes on such casters?

In general, I would recommend choosing casters with a locking mechanism that have at least a double brake. Single brakes are often not reliable enough. It is also important that the casters are suitable for the load and type of floor surface.

Folke32 schrieb:
What are your experiences with the brakes on these kinds of casters?

Here is a more detailed overview on the topic:

The choice of casters with brakes depends greatly on the intended use. Kallax shelves are quite heavy, and if you want to make them movable, the casters need to have a high load capacity – at least 50 kg (110 lbs) per caster, preferably a bit more.

When it comes to brakes, there is usually a distinction between simple stoppers that only block the rolling function and dual brakes that also lock the swivel mechanism. Dual brakes are safer, especially under higher loads, as they prevent the shelf from being moved or rotated.

A common issue, particularly on wooden or smooth floors, is that casters with cheap rubber coatings may slip under load. In this case, a rubber coating or a special surface on the wheels is advantageous.

When attaching them, keep in mind that most Kallax shelves do not come with pre-drilled holes for casters – a sturdy base must be screwed or glued under each corner. When installing the brakes, make sure to test whether the brake actually holds under load; otherwise, it won’t be effective.

TIP: If you use the shelf as a mobile room divider or a piece of furniture on casters, it can be useful to choose casters with an integrated locking function that reliably holds the weight.

I’m curious: Is the shelf moved frequently and what type of floor does it usually stand on?

This significantly influences which types of casters and brakes are most suitable. Feel free to share more details so I can offer more specific advice.

TEBILO schrieb:
Brakes are usually divided into simple stoppers, which only block the rolling function, and double brakes, which additionally lock the swivel axis.

That’s brilliant! I also converted my Kallax to casters, and those double brakes really give me a solid feeling, especially when the floor is slightly uneven. 🙂

Folke32 schrieb:
How reliable the braking mechanisms are, whether they prove themselves in use, and if there are specific models you would recommend.

If you go for good quality brands, you’ll notice the difference immediately. Mine is from a well-known manufacturer, and the brakes hold extremely firmly. The installation can be a bit fiddly, but it’s definitely worth it! The stability is much better than with cheap casters from a hardware store.

One more tip from me: tighten the casters with washers to prevent everything from loosening over time.

Good luck with it—adding casters really makes the shelf much more flexible and stylish! 🙂