ᐅ Kallax too wide to move through the door – how to disassemble?

Hello everyone, I’m currently facing the following problem: my Kallax shelf from IKEA is too wide to fit through my apartment door. The door width is about 75 cm (30 inches), but the shelf is 77 cm (30.3 inches) wide. Now I’m wondering if anyone has experience dismantling the Kallax to make it easier to transport during a move. Are there ways to take the shelf apart without causing significant damage, and if so, how exactly? I’ve already removed the back panel, but that doesn’t seem to be enough. Are there screws or connections I can loosen? Unfortunately, I can’t find anything about this in the instructions, and IKEA only explains how to assemble it, not how to disassemble it. I would appreciate any tips, especially any tricks for dismantling. Thanks in advance!

Usfebar schrieb:
Are there ways to disassemble the shelf without causing major damage, and if so, how exactly?

The Kallax shelf can generally be partially disassembled, but the joints are primarily designed for assembly rather than frequent disassembly. Most parts are glued together, such as the side panels and shelves. Screws or dowels connect the back panel and the carcass, which can be removed, as you have already noticed.

The usual approach is:
- Remove the back panel (usually fixed with nails or small brads).
- Shelves can sometimes be easier to remove when levering out the back panel.
- Side panels are usually glued and not meant to be taken apart.

It is recommended to work carefully to avoid completely losing stability. If disassembly is absolutely necessary, you can remove the back panel, take out the shelves, and possibly tilt the furniture sideways to carry it through a door. However, complete disassembly without damage is hardly possible.

RETRAVIS schrieb:
Shelves can sometimes be removed more easily when prying off the back panel.

Exactly, and sometimes using the right technique during transport helps – try whether you can get the shelving unit through the door more easily by tilting it diagonally or at an angle. Sometimes there is a bit of extra space when you tilt or rotate the furniture.

From my moving experience: a little improvisation when carrying can work wonders 🙂 Also, it doesn’t hurt to get some friends to help.

And don’t worry, we’ll manage it! 😊

Honestly, I don’t quite understand the problem. Taking apart a Kallax shelf? It’s a piece of furniture known for its simplicity and sturdiness – which is exactly why dismantling it is generally not recommended.

Usfebar schrieb:
Are there ways to disassemble the shelf without causing major damage, and if so, how exactly?

In my opinion, it’s almost impossible to take the shelf apart without damaging it because the glue joints are really strong. Instead of wasting time and nerves on dismantling, I would suggest getting a slightly larger utility cart or trying to maneuver it crookedly through door frames and hallways.

I really wouldn’t recommend trying to cut it apart or force it apart violently. That will almost certainly lead to damage.

bareynaldo schrieb:
Instead of spending time and energy on dismantling, I’d rather get a slightly larger utility cart or try the angled route through door frames and hallways.

Haha, I can totally agree! Sometimes the journey is the destination, and with the Kallax that means a bit of agility! 😄

I removed the back panel, then rotated the shelf diagonally through the door – it actually worked out quite well. And hey, a little creativity goes a long way when moving furniture, right? ;-)

Nothing is set in stone; even when space is tight, you can always find a solution!

Hey, I totally understand your problem! When I moved last time, I just removed the back panel completely and took out the shelves. Then I tried to maneuver the unit through the door at a slight angle – in the end, it worked great!

If that doesn’t work with the bare frame of your unit, you could also try loosening one of the side panels, if possible. Some Kallax models are screwed together, but with some patience, they can be taken apart. Just be careful with the material, as it can be quite delicate.

Keep at it, you’ll manage! If you need any help, just get in touch again! 🙂