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

Regarding the tracks: At a hardware store or online, you can find so-called "single-point tracks" for sliding doors, which are often combined with an upper guide. It is important that the door height and weight are compatible. For DIY projects, I recommend complete sliding door kits that are lightweight and come with easy-to-follow assembly instructions. For the inside: yes, additional crossbars made of laminated wood or plywood will make the Kallax more stable, especially if the furniture is frequently moved or heavily loaded.

Hello baupar, first of all, I think your idea is sensible and practical! I would like to add: Make sure the sliding door tracks are perfectly level, otherwise the doors can get stuck easily. I also recommend using small stoppers to prevent the doors from sliding too far left or right and causing damage. If you have little experience with tools, it might be a good idea to call a carpenter – sometimes it’s worth it for a renovation like this, especially when it comes to precise trimming of the doors.

Two years ago, I installed a custom-built sliding door system on my Kallax – here are some technical details that might help you:

1. Track system: I used an aluminum track set with rollers at the top and bottom, which distributes the load very well. I mounted the track directly to the side panels of the shelving unit using screws. To ensure there was enough material to hold the screws, I glued and screwed additional wooden strips inside the shelves.

2. Doors: Plywood panels, 10 mm (0.4 inches) thick, covered with a white laminate film to enhance appearance and durability. The edges were trimmed with plastic edge banding, which protected the wood from moisture and fraying.

3. Stability: Internal reinforcements were necessary. I made custom wooden frames fixed to the cabinet with metal brackets to eliminate any movement.

4. Installation: Precision in aligning the tracks is crucial, as even slight misalignments can make sliding difficult. A spirit level and measuring tape are essential.

Feel free to ask questions. It’s best if you provide the exact dimensions of your shelving unit and the intended weight of your doors, as this will help with more specific advice.

FABIAN_DEO schrieb:
Two years ago, I equipped my Kallax with a custom-built sliding door system – here are some technical details that might help you:

That sounds exactly like the kind of input I was looking for, thanks! My Kallax is the 4x4 version, about 147x147 cm (58x58 inches), with the usual square compartments. The doors should be as lightweight as possible because I’m considering whether to make them 2- or 3-panel in order to be more flexible.

Do you have any experience whether sliding doors work better as solid panels or perhaps with recessed sections (e.g., a wooden frame with Plexiglas inserts)? Also: Are your doors so quiet in operation that you don’t have to worry about noise when there are small children in the house?

baupar schrieb:
Do you have experience whether sliding doors work better as solid panels or perhaps with recessed sections (e.g., wooden frame with plexiglass infill)?

Both options are possible, but solid panel doors are more stable and easier to manufacture. If you prefer recessed sections, a sturdy frame is essential (glued laminated timber strips at least 20 mm (0.8 inches) thick) to prevent warping or twisting due to temperature changes. Plexiglass infills are lighter but more expensive and require precisely milled grooves in the frame.

baupar schrieb:
Do the doors run so quietly with you that you don’t have to worry when small children are in the house?

I use plastic hangers with rubber buffers, which run very quietly—not completely silent, but quiet enough to be unobtrusive in the living room. Small children can sometimes move the doors quite roughly, so I would always recommend door stoppers and possibly dampers as well.

Sliding doors on Kallax units are fantastic space-saving boosters, you just need the right flow! 😉

One more thing: bumpers or stoppers are really important, otherwise the door can slam into the wall at full speed. Safety obsession aside – I’ve tried it and would never go without them again. Also, it’s best to use lightweight materials; when it comes to weight, definitely "less is more." That way, sliding the doors open and closed feels much smoother.

By the way, I used plexiglass as the panel filling, which looks great – it adds a cool touch to the neutral Kallax!