ᐅ KALLAX Shelves Sliding – How to Secure Them?

Hello everyone, I have a KALLAX shelving unit that stands directly on the floor, and I’ve noticed that the shelves inside the compartments often shift or slide out of place. This causes the shelves to no longer lie completely flat and stable, which is especially problematic in compartments with heavier loads. I’m looking for a way to securely prevent the shelves from slipping without resorting to aggressive methods like screws or glue, since I want to be able to move or remove the shelves occasionally. Does anyone have experience with a practical, preferably residue-free solution that doesn’t require special tools? What methods are recommended, and what should I keep in mind to ensure the shelves remain stable but still flexible? Thanks for your advice!

The most common reason for sliding KALLAX shelves is poor or missing fitting accuracy, as well as the smooth surface friction between the shelf and the cabinet frame. A simple, practical solution is to attach small rubber bumpers or anti-slip pads at the contact points between the shelf and the side panel. These increase friction and prevent sliding. Advantage: they are easy to remove and non-invasive. Alternatively, thin strips of foam rubber or self-adhesive felt pads can be used. It is important that the pads are thin enough not to tilt the shelf but still provide sufficient friction. Screws or permanent fasteners are only recommended if no flexible use is intended anymore.

Gregory schrieb:
Attach rubber bumpers or anti-slip pads at contact points.

I consider this the best solution – simple, inexpensive, and reversible. Maybe 3–4 small pads per shelf board will be enough.

In addition to the previous suggestions, it is also worthwhile to examine the exact cause of the slipping. KALLAX shelves often have small grooves or notches on the interior walls where the shelves rest. If these recesses are worn or slightly warped, this could cause instability. I recommend the following approach:

1. Check whether the shelves lie completely flat and that the grooves are not damaged.
2. If the recesses are slightly too large, a thin strip of foam rubber or a strip of paper can be glued under the edges to improve the fit.
3. For more grip on the underside of the shelves, self-adhesive anti-slip felt pads help increase friction and reduce slipping.

Make sure that all materials used do not leave permanent adhesive residues, especially if the furniture is rented or sold later. If you have exact measurements of the recesses, it would also be possible to build a small blocking system using thin plexiglass strips or wooden slats, which mechanically secures the shelves but in a gentle way. I would be interested in knowing how heavily the shelves are loaded to better assess the required stability.

lorena schrieb:
I’m curious about how much weight the shelves can bear, so I can better assess the necessary stability.

Good question, thanks for asking. I mainly store books and some decorative items on them, so it’s a moderate load, let’s say about 10–15 kg per shelf. The shelves tend to slide mainly when I slightly bump the unit or when I take items in and out. So, basically no extreme load, but enough that the sliding has a negative effect. Do you have an opinion on whether the suggested anti-slip pads are sufficient for this, or if more mechanical fastenings would be advisable?

Based on the stated load of approximately 10–15 kg per shelf (22–33 lbs), self-adhesive anti-slip pads are generally sufficient to reliably prevent slipping. Typically, such pads have a coefficient of static friction of at least 0.5 to 0.7, which is stable for forces in the low-kilogram range.

It is important that the pads are applied to a clean, grease-free surface. Before installation, the area should be cleaned with isopropanol and allowed to dry thoroughly to ensure optimal adhesion.

If mechanical securing is still desired, a combination that does not damage the shelf is recommended: for example, thin wooden strips fixed to the inside edges of the shelves with small adhesive dots or double-sided tape, which block the shelves without the need for permanent screws.