ᐅ My Kallax unit tips over when loaded on one side – how can I prevent this?

Hello bu-chen,

I understand that drilling holes is sometimes not an option. For your Kallax shelf, I recommend:

1. Screw-on brackets: These are available in various sizes at hardware stores. They can be screwed on the inside sides of the shelf. Make sure to pre-drill small pilot holes to avoid splitting the wood.

2. Clamp mounts: There are special anti-tip devices that attach to the shelf with adhesive tape and stick to the wall with strong adhesive. This method requires no drilling but offers less holding strength.

3. Anti-slip mats: Placed under the shelf feet, they improve grip on the floor and thus reduce tipping movements.

4. Counterweight: Place heavy items low and centered on the shelf to lower the pivot point.

If you are handy, you can also attach thin diagonal battens at the back to give more structural stability. Be careful not to affect the visible outer appearance.

Good luck!

bu-chen schrieb:
Are there alternative methods that do not require drilling to prevent tipping?

There are solutions such as special anti-tip or securing kits that use strong, removable adhesive strips to attach the furniture to the wall. However, their load capacity is significantly lower compared to screw fastenings. Therefore, they are only suitable for slight imbalances, not for heavily loaded shelves.

LANICOLE schrieb:
Clamp mounts with adhesive strips stick, but the holding power is lower.

That is correct. Another important point: For rental apartments, please ensure that adhesive strip residues can be removed completely without damage later on.

As an alternative to wall fastening, I recommend shimming the feet of Kallax units and aiming for the lowest possible center of gravity in the shelving by placing heavy items centered on the lowest shelf. Additional stabilization with floor spikes or separate feet can help if the floor is not perfectly level.

draleo schrieb:
As an alternative to wall mounting, I recommend shimming the Kallax feet to ensure the shelf’s center of gravity stays as low as possible.

Could you please explain that in more detail? What exactly do you mean by shimming the feet? And what’s the best way to achieve the lowest center of gravity? Just put heavy items at the bottom and always in the middle?

It would be great if you could clarify that.

By "shimming the feet," it means inserting small wedges or pads under the feet to align the shelf precisely and compensate for any floor unevenness. This way, it stands more stable and doesn't wobble as easily.

Regarding the center of gravity: yes, heavy items should always be placed as low as possible and as close to the center of the side panel as possible. Unevenly loading one side of the shelf creates a torque that can cause it to tip over.

bu-chen schrieb:
It would be great if you could clarify that.

Sure. Regarding leveling:

- Check with a spirit level if the floor is even.
- If not, get small plastic shims or wooden blocks to place under the feet.
- This way, the shelf can be adjusted to be perfectly horizontal and won’t tip due to uneven flooring.

Regarding the center of gravity:

- Place the heaviest items such as binders, books, or boxes on the lower shelves.
- Distribute the weight as evenly as possible across the compartments to avoid shifting the load to one side.
- Avoid placing heavy objects only on one side, as this increases the risk of tipping.

Additionally, if wall mounting isn’t possible, I recommend securing the shelf with shelf clamps to adjacent walls or placing it on non-slip mats on slip-resistant surfaces.