ᐅ Upgrading KALLAX Shelves for Heavy Loads – Where Can You Find Them?

Savas schrieb:
Are there any experiences on how to install the shelving in a way that keeps it dustproof and stable?

You can’t make a KALLAX shelf dustproof with the usual shelves because the design features open side and back panels.

If stability is important to you, pay attention to the following points:

- Use reinforced supports, such as metal brackets as support profiles beneath the shelves

- Combine the wooden panels with an additional central support or partition wall

- There are screw adapters available online that fit into the pre-drilled holes and secure the shelves better

- Screwing the wooden panels to the sides provides more security than simply placing loose shelves

For toolboxes: Make sure the load is evenly distributed. A heavy object placed directly in the center can otherwise cause sagging.

I would recommend choosing wooden panels with a thickness of at least 18 mm (0.7 inches) and having them cut precisely to the interior dimensions of the compartments.

Hi Savas,

For the heavy stuff, I can only recommend this: Don’t overcomplicate it and get good quality plywood panels. You can easily paint or oil them; they look great and are durable.

Stability is a bit tricky – at a friend’s place, we simply added a wooden strip in the middle and secured it, and that easily holds 25 kg (55 lbs) or more without bending.

Maybe this helps: just be bold and try gluing the panels together, then place the boxes on top. If they don’t wobble or bend, you’re good to go 🙂

Good luck! 🙂

Hey Savas, great project! 🙂

For my KALLAX, I glued wooden boards together in two layers and even reinforced them with small metal brackets – this improved the stability a lot. And it looks like a real upgrade!

There are also multipurpose wood panels available on Amazon that you can fasten directly with nails or screws.

Give it a try, it’s really clever and makes your shelf extra sturdy. Good luck, and keep us updated!

JORDON schrieb:
I simply added a wooden batten in the middle and secured it on a friend’s setup; it easily holds 25 kg (55 lbs) or more without bending.

This is a very pragmatic and proven method. A central support significantly relieves the continuous surface and reduces deflection considerably.

If you screw the batten in place carefully and firmly, it ensures a safe load distribution. Toolboxes benefit greatly from this.

Savas, if you have the opportunity, I would recommend such an adjustment.

A brief note: When retrofitting the shelves, make sure not to put excessive load on the side panels of the KALLAX unit. The design primarily supports vertical loads, not lateral ones.

Shelves should fit as precisely as possible and be secured with fasteners. Alternatively, external steel shelving is more extensive and reliable for very heavy loads.

Do you perhaps have sources or manufacturers for sturdier KALLAX shelves or at least wooden boards recommended for this purpose?

I would like to purchase them directly or at least get them from a reliable place, as I don't want to experiment randomly at a hardware store.

Thank you!