Hello everyone, I have a Kallax shelving unit from Ikea that I use as a cupboard for dishes. Unfortunately, the shelves have started to sag noticeably, especially when I place heavy items like stoneware or thick-walled glasses on them. I’m wondering how I can solve this problem in a more permanent way. Does anyone have experience with reinforcements, replacement shelves, or alternative materials for the shelves? What tips are there to keep the shelves stable and prevent sagging? I would really appreciate practical advice, including experiences with load limits or recommendations for accessories. Thanks in advance!
Hello everyone!
I also had to upgrade my Kallax because my porcelain was heavy. The solution?
1. I had plywood boards (18mm (0.7 inches)) cut to size – a perfect fit.
2. In the middle, I added a small wooden support profile that is barely visible.
3. And I can only say: pure stability!
This makes the shelves almost indestructible and looks great. PS: A little tip – you can round off the edges slightly with sandpaper to give it a more professional finish! 🙂
Good luck with your project!
I also had to upgrade my Kallax because my porcelain was heavy. The solution?
1. I had plywood boards (18mm (0.7 inches)) cut to size – a perfect fit.
2. In the middle, I added a small wooden support profile that is barely visible.
3. And I can only say: pure stability!
This makes the shelves almost indestructible and looks great. PS: A little tip – you can round off the edges slightly with sandpaper to give it a more professional finish! 🙂
Good luck with your project!
Thank you for the many diverse and very helpful responses so far!
One more question for those who have installed plywood panels:
How did you fasten them? Did you screw them into the Kallax side panels, or does the board simply rest on the standard shelf supports? Does anyone have a solution that avoids unsightly screw holes?
Would something like this also be possible underneath the panel on the inside, or did you have more of a lateral position in mind?
I’m still looking for the best combination of strength and appearance.
One more question for those who have installed plywood panels:
How did you fasten them? Did you screw them into the Kallax side panels, or does the board simply rest on the standard shelf supports? Does anyone have a solution that avoids unsightly screw holes?
JAPLO schrieb:
attach a longitudinal brace between the top and bottom panels
Would something like this also be possible underneath the panel on the inside, or did you have more of a lateral position in mind?
I’m still looking for the best combination of strength and appearance.
binu36 schrieb:
How did you secure these? Screws into the sides of the Kallax units or is the board just resting on the standard shelf supports?I personally just placed the boards on top of the original shelf supports – this keeps the original function intact and allows the shelf to be easily removed if needed. The load capacity increases significantly thanks to the thicker boards.
binu36 schrieb:
Would something like that also be possible underneath the board inside, or were you thinking more along the sides?I would always fix a longitudinal brace from underneath, attached in the middle of the board, either screwed or glued. This distributes the load best without being visually noticeable.
Depending on your DIY skills, you can also combine both: a sturdy board plus a thin wooden strip or metal profile from underneath.
The important thing is that the brace fits tightly and doesn’t wobble.
I think the questions from binu36 are very good – these are exactly the kinds of issues that always got in the way of my own building attempts.
I also laid my plywood floors only on the delivery supports to stay flexible.
That matches my experience as well. If you want to avoid screws, a strong wood glue or construction adhesive works well and holds for a long time.
Personally, I found a combination of both to be the most stable since the central brace carries the main load and the thick floor massively reduces sagging.
Regarding the appearance, a matte finish or a paint in a matching color usually helps so the board doesn’t stand out. I hope this helps you!
I also laid my plywood floors only on the delivery supports to stay flexible.
tralo45 schrieb:
I would always screw or glue a longitudinal brace from underneath, centered on the board.
That matches my experience as well. If you want to avoid screws, a strong wood glue or construction adhesive works well and holds for a long time.
Personally, I found a combination of both to be the most stable since the central brace carries the main load and the thick floor massively reduces sagging.
Regarding the appearance, a matte finish or a paint in a matching color usually helps so the board doesn’t stand out. I hope this helps you!
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