ᐅ Securing KALLAX Shelving Units to Prevent Tipping – How Do You Do It?

Hello everyone,

I recently bought a KALLAX shelving unit from IKEA, which I use as a room divider and storage in my living room. Since the shelving unit is quite tall and narrow, I’m concerned about its tipping stability, especially with small children or pets in the house. While I think the official method of securing it to the wall with anchors is basically a good idea, my wall situation is a bit tricky due to installed power strips and cable channels – I want to avoid drilling holes that would be difficult to repair.

My specific question is: How do you secure your KALLAX unit against tipping effectively without damaging the wall? Are there alternative methods that are stable and reliable? I’d also appreciate tips on product recommendations that are practical and suitable for rental apartments.

I would be glad if you could share your experiences or solutions.

Hello Sudosau,

How you secure your KALLAX against tipping obviously depends on your living situation. Since you don’t want to drill holes into the wall, another option is to fix the furniture using so-called furniture rails or anti-tip stops that are attached to the floor. These are usually self-adhesive and can prevent the shelf from tipping forward.

For example, there are rubber pads that go under the feet to prevent slipping, or special clamp brackets that can be wedged between the shelf and the wall without drilling. However, you need to carefully check how much stability these provide.

Another option is to weigh down the KALLAX with heavier items on top or in the lower compartments. This lowers the center of gravity.

Personally, I have had good experiences with a combination of minimal, precisely positioned wall anchors and additional rubber pads.

However, most solutions are not a full substitute for wall fixing if safety is the highest priority.

flota schrieb:
Rubber pads placed under the feet to prevent slipping

I can only confirm that. I attached small rubber feet under the shelf, which helps a lot.

flota schrieb:
Furniture rails or anti-tip clamps that can be attached without drilling

These also work well but are not ideal for every KALLAX model.

Regarding securing a KALLAX against tipping without wall mounting:

The tipping stability of a shelving unit like the KALLAX largely depends on its center of gravity. Without proper fastening, it is generally recommended to place heavy items in the lower compartments and avoid heavy loads on top to minimize the tipping moment.

Another option is anti-tip brackets or corner braces that can be mounted on the back of the unit without drilling, using strong adhesive. These adhesive anchors often provide sufficient holding strength under normal loads due to adhesion but are not fully recommended for heavy loads or homes with children.

There are also special floor mounts with rubber stoppers that prevent sliding and therefore tipping. However, these do not replace the need for wall anchoring.

My advice: If you want to avoid wall mounting in the medium term, combine these methods with weights placed at the bottom to maximize stability. For maximum safety, Ikea offers an anti-tip kit, but this requires drilling.

I secured the KALLAX in my rental apartment using so-called furniture anchors that wedge between the shelf and the ceiling. These require no drilling and are very stable. They work great as long as the ceiling doesn't have any unusual slope or similar issue.

Alternatively, placing a low cabinet in front can also add a lot of stability.