ᐅ Using Kallax units as sliding door storage afterwards – any experiences?

Hello everyone, I’m currently considering modifying my IKEA Kallax shelving unit to use it as a sliding door storage space. More specifically, I’d like to add sliding doors to cover the open section and make the whole thing look tidier. Has anyone here done this before or have experience with it? I’m thinking that rails might need to be installed and possibly the internal compartments rearranged to ensure it’s stable enough. I’m especially interested in how practical such a modification is, which materials are suitable, and if there are any unexpected challenges. Thanks for your tips and experiences!

A retrofit conversion of a Kallax unit into a sliding door storage space is basically possible, but you should pay close attention to how the tracks are installed. The Kallax is not designed for doors, so I recommend using lightweight track systems, for example made of aluminum, which can be mounted on the side panel. The doors themselves can be made from thin MDF or lightweight wood panels, ideally with rollers at the bottom and a guide at the top. It is important that the doors are not too heavy, as this would affect stability. You can also add internal paneling to optimize the storage space and increase stability.

There are few sliding door systems from IKEA or hardware stores that can be easily attached to Kallax units. Simply buy tracks, install them at the top, and use lightweight doors. Don’t forget the rollers at the bottom.

The conversion requires careful planning, as Kallax is not originally designed for doors. It is advisable to choose a sliding door system that runs both at the top and bottom to evenly distribute the load. For the doors, a combination of thin plywood panels with edge banding is recommended to prevent warping and damage. Additionally, stability must be ensured through extra reinforcements inside the shelving unit, especially when it is fully loaded. Finally, make sure the sliding doors are precisely cut to fit the dimensions of the Kallax to avoid any sticking.

I converted my Kallax unit by adding sliding doors made from old cabinet doors – in the end, it didn’t just look great, but it also saves time tidying up since nothing is left open anymore. 🙂 My tip: Use doors that aren’t too heavy, so the tracks and rollers aren’t overloaded. Oh, and it’s also fun to easily close the shelf instead of always dealing with boards!

Thanks in advance for the initial responses. @KIN42, you mentioned aluminum rails with a top guide and rollers at the bottom – do you have any specific product recommendations or sources? And @vinli, what exactly would you suggest for internal support? Should additional braces be installed, or should a frame be built? My shelf is positioned directly against a wall, which might make mounting a bit easier. I don’t have experience with woodworking or door installation, so I would prefer to use ready-made systems if possible.