ᐅ Moved Kallax shelving on hardwood floor – endless scratches, how to prevent them?

Hello everyone,

I recently moved an IKEA Kallax shelf across my hardwood floor, and since then I have noticed quite a few noticeable scratches in several spots. The flooring isn’t brand new, but I really didn’t expect so many scratches all at once. I suspect that moving it without any additional protection was the main cause.

Unfortunately, I didn’t look into the best ways to protect the Kallax when moving it or what kind of pads to use to keep the floor damage-free. Now I’m wondering: What options are there to avoid scratches on hardwood floors when moving a Kallax shelf? Are there any specific materials or techniques that have been proven to work? Is it better to always use casters or sliding pads, and what is practical for such a heavy and fairly large piece of furniture?

I would really appreciate it if you could share your experiences, tips, or even mistakes you’ve made. For me, it’s especially important to find simple and sustainable solutions that can be applied afterwards as well. Thanks in advance!

Gokla schrieb:
What options are there to prevent scratches on parquet flooring when moving a Kallax shelf?

That’s really frustrating when it happens. I had a similar experience when I wanted to move my shelf. What always helps me is to proceed very carefully and slowly.

One method that gives me confidence is using felt pads, which you can place under the feet or edges. This protects the floor and noticeably reduces friction. However, you need to attach them really well, otherwise they tend to slip.

And yes, casters are practical, but Kallax units often don’t come with them pre-installed. You have to add them yourself, which can work well or not so well depending on the floor surface.

I also think it’s important to thoroughly clean the floor beforehand so that no sand or small stones can really scratch the parquet when moving.

I hope this helps you a bit. 🙂

Gokla schrieb:
What options are there to prevent scratches on parquet flooring when moving a Kallax shelf?

To effectively prevent damage to furniture on parquet flooring during moving, it is important to first consider the physical factors involved: point and surface pressure as well as friction largely determine whether scratches occur.

Kallax shelves are quite heavy due to their construction, which means the forces exerted on the floor during moving are higher. The ideal protective measures consist of several steps:

1. Protect the floor: The best solution is felt pads made from high-quality foam rubber or thick felt under each leg or support point of the shelf. These distribute the weight and directly reduce friction.

2. Sliding materials: Scotchbrite pads, specialized plastic furniture glides, or non-abrasive Teflon underlays reduce resistance during movement. Important: The contact surface with the parquet must be free of dirt and sand particles, so the floor should be thoroughly cleaned beforehand.

3. Avoiding caster wheels: While wheels can be installed on a Kallax, there are often trade-offs. Rubber wheels are less likely to cause scratches, whereas cheaper hard plastic wheels often create high pressure on small contact areas, leading to scratches on the parquet.

4. Careful handling: Using moving aids or lifting carefully helps minimize the load. Also, ensure the path is clear to avoid catching on corners unexpectedly.

Retrofit options such as attaching felt pads or so-called furniture socks to the legs can be done easily later and provide long-term protection.

Finally, one question: How heavy is your Kallax, and do you plan to move it frequently, or was this a one-time move? This could influence the choice of materials.

Nathanaelk schrieb:
Just one more question: How heavy is your Kallax, and do you plan to move it frequently, or was this more of a one-time event?

A quick note – the Kallax shelves are actually very sturdy, but when moving them, it can feel like thousands of sand grains are scraping against your parquet flooring if you don’t take proper precautions. What I always do is use round felt pads (available in sets), stick them under the corners, and that’s it.

This prevents any long-term damage to the floor and almost feels like giving your shelf a royal treatment. 😉

If you don’t have them yet, a small can of waterproofing spray for the felt pads is worth its weight in gold – it makes them stick really well while still sliding smoothly.

This method has worked for me for years through two moves without a single scratch!