Hello everyone, I currently have several Kallax shelves from IKEA and would like to adjust them to a more ergonomic height. I’m wondering whether it’s better to simply stack multiple units on top of each other or if it would be more practical to add legs to individual Kallax elements so that the shelf is more stable overall and at a comfortable height.
It’s important to me that the shelf does not wobble, maintains its load-bearing capacity, and of course looks good. Does anyone have experience with raising Kallax shelves? What solutions have worked well for you? What are the advantages and disadvantages of stacking versus adding legs? Looking forward to your tips and insights!
It’s important to me that the shelf does not wobble, maintains its load-bearing capacity, and of course looks good. Does anyone have experience with raising Kallax shelves? What solutions have worked well for you? What are the advantages and disadvantages of stacking versus adding legs? Looking forward to your tips and insights!
That’s a brilliant question! 🙂 I once stacked Kallax units on top of each other myself – it works, but I was always afraid it might topple over eventually! Feet are really great for this; you can even get ones with a wood finish, which looks fantastic and adds a warm touch to the whole thing.
And hey, if you raise the shelf a bit yourself, it’s also much more ergonomic—simply perfect!!
And hey, if you raise the shelf a bit yourself, it’s also much more ergonomic—simply perfect!!
Hello Meoflo, I would like to provide a brief overview that might help you make your decision.
1. Stacking:
- Advantage: You can be very flexible with the height by stacking multiple Kallax units on top of each other.
- Disadvantage: Stability greatly depends on how well the individual units are connected (for example, using screws or special Kallax connectors). Without securing them, the risk of tipping over can be high.
2. Installing feet:
- Advantage: Stability is often better, especially if you choose sturdy feet or even metal feet that can support the weight well. The appearance is more appealing since the floor remains visible and the shelf doesn’t look “flat.”
- Disadvantage: Height flexibility is usually lower because of the feet, and you need to select them carefully so they don’t overload the shelves.
My tip: If you want to make the shelf significantly taller and ensure it stands securely, combine both advantages: stack two Kallax units and install robust feet underneath. Make sure to firmly connect the units, for example with IKEA’s own frame connectors or brackets.
If you only want to raise a single unit, tall feet are often sufficient.
I hope this helps you!
1. Stacking:
- Advantage: You can be very flexible with the height by stacking multiple Kallax units on top of each other.
- Disadvantage: Stability greatly depends on how well the individual units are connected (for example, using screws or special Kallax connectors). Without securing them, the risk of tipping over can be high.
2. Installing feet:
- Advantage: Stability is often better, especially if you choose sturdy feet or even metal feet that can support the weight well. The appearance is more appealing since the floor remains visible and the shelf doesn’t look “flat.”
- Disadvantage: Height flexibility is usually lower because of the feet, and you need to select them carefully so they don’t overload the shelves.
My tip: If you want to make the shelf significantly taller and ensure it stands securely, combine both advantages: stack two Kallax units and install robust feet underneath. Make sure to firmly connect the units, for example with IKEA’s own frame connectors or brackets.
If you only want to raise a single unit, tall feet are often sufficient.
I hope this helps you!
refinar schrieb:
If you really want to make the shelf higher and ensure it stands securely, combine both advantagesThat is good advice. From a structural standpoint, connecting multiple Kallax units using appropriate fastening methods is the minimum requirement to ensure safety. Simply stacking them without securing creates a significant risk of accidents.
While adding feet does increase height and improve ergonomics, they should be made from a durable material and installed properly to protect the Kallax from floor damage and deformation.
Regarding load capacity: Kallax is designed for a specific load per unit area. If the structure is compromised by improper stacking or feet that are too thin, this can negatively affect the material and thus reduce the lifespan.
In summary, the following recommendations can be made:
- Use suitable fasteners when stacking
- Choose feet made from sturdy materials
- Adjust the height by combining both methods
Meoflo schrieb:
Is it better to simply stack the Kallax units or is it more practical to equip individual Kallax elements with feet?Hey Meoflo,
I think both options have their appeal – stacking can feel like a fun little furniture-building project, especially if you want to keep things flexible. But personally, I love when the shelves stand on stylish feet. It gives a sort of floating effect 😉
Small feet create that wow factor because you can see the floor underneath, which often makes the room feel airier. However, it does take a bit of courage to drill and use the right screws, otherwise it might become unstable.
One more tip: check if you can find feet that come with rubber pads or that you can add rubber pads to, so nothing slips around. That way, the shelf stays steady even on slippery floors.
In the end, it really comes down to personal taste and how much effort you want to invest. Good luck customizing your Kallax! 🙂
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