Hello everyone, I recently bought a KALLAX open shelf unit from IKEA to house my indoor plants. However, I am concerned about the moisture generated from watering and evaporation from the plants. Specifically, I wonder if this increased humidity in the compartments could cause the shelving material (particleboard with melamine coating) to swell or deteriorate more quickly. If so, what measures would you recommend to minimize the risk of moisture damage without completely reducing the humidity that the plants need? I look forward to your experiences and advice!
From a technical perspective, although the KALLAX furniture is melamine-coated, this coating primarily serves decorative purposes. Its moisture resistance is limited, especially at cut edges and drill holes. Moisture can penetrate the particle board over time and cause swelling.
It is recommended to additionally seal all cut edges using a cross filler or special edge sealants, such as polyurethane or epoxy resin varnish. Furthermore, the bottom of the compartments should be protected with a water-resistant underlay.
Placing plants on planting trays, for example, made of plastic containers or non-slip trays, is standard practice. This prevents standing water, which increases moisture.
Regular ventilation is also advisable, as it helps control humidity and prevents moisture buildup.
It is recommended to additionally seal all cut edges using a cross filler or special edge sealants, such as polyurethane or epoxy resin varnish. Furthermore, the bottom of the compartments should be protected with a water-resistant underlay.
Placing plants on planting trays, for example, made of plastic containers or non-slip trays, is standard practice. This prevents standing water, which increases moisture.
Regular ventilation is also advisable, as it helps control humidity and prevents moisture buildup.
Oh, that sounds a bit more technical than I expected! 🙂 But hey, it’s better to be well prepared than to deal with problems later, right? 😊
Regarding the sealing: If you don’t necessarily want to use a clear varnish, you can also use colorless wood glue, which soaks a little into the cut edges and provides some protection. It’s not 100% waterproof, but better than nothing.
And setting the technical aspects aside: I simply place my plants on small plastic trays. Sometimes I also use coconut fiber mats under the pots, which absorb water and don’t get soaked through quickly. Works great for me :-)
Regarding the sealing: If you don’t necessarily want to use a clear varnish, you can also use colorless wood glue, which soaks a little into the cut edges and provides some protection. It’s not 100% waterproof, but better than nothing.
And setting the technical aspects aside: I simply place my plants on small plastic trays. Sometimes I also use coconut fiber mats under the pots, which absorb water and don’t get soaked through quickly. Works great for me :-)
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FABIAN_DEO9 Nov 2018 11:29ERTAN49 schrieb:
Is it advisable to use some kind of protective film indoors, for example, transparent PVC film? There are actually different ways to make the shelf more moisture-resistant. However, using just a sealed film can be problematic because it does not allow vapor diffusion. Moisture cannot escape and may eventually accumulate on the backside of the particleboard, which can lead to mold growth over time.
Therefore, I recommend the following combination:
- Line the bottom and lowest shelf surface with a water-repellent but vapor-permeable mat (e.g., perforated rubber mats or special planting mats)
- Seal cut edges with a special coating (edge lacquer or even waterproof epoxy resin coating)
- Optionally insert an intermediate shelf made of plastic or a painted wooden board, where the plant pots can be placed
- Ensure regular ventilation
This way, the stress on the shelf material is minimized, and the indoor humidity does not increase to uncomfortable levels.
That’s brilliant! 🙂 I also have a KALLAX full of plants and initially had similar concerns as you, ERTAN49. What helped me was placing small foam boards under the pots and always leaving the shelves open so the air can circulate well. The most important thing is really to make sure no water drips onto the shelving! Once you have that under control, there’s no need to worry about damage. And hey, plants naturally release moisture, which we almost need for a comfortable indoor climate. 😉
Hello everyone! I’d like to share my experience: Since I started placing my plants openly on small plastic trays on the KALLAX shelf, I haven’t noticed any damage. I also make sure never to leave the plant containers standing in water and check this regularly.
Another tip: Some small plants fit perfectly in glass containers with pebbles at the bottom, which reduces direct water contact with the shelf surface. Also, regularly empty the drip trays – that really helps.
Looking forward to hearing how things develop for you, ERTAN49!
Another tip: Some small plants fit perfectly in glass containers with pebbles at the bottom, which reduces direct water contact with the shelf surface. Also, regularly empty the drip trays – that really helps.
Looking forward to hearing how things develop for you, ERTAN49!
JUANFU schrieb:
Since I have my plants openly standing on small plastic trays on the KALLAX, I have not noticed any damage. I can definitely confirm that :-)!
I treated the shelving unit with waterproof furniture wax, including the cut edges, and I use shallow, two-tone plastic trays for the plants. Then I ventilate briefly in the evening, and moisture is no longer an issue.
A big plus for the KALLAX: it doesn’t take up much space and looks modern – perfect for plant lovers!
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