ᐅ Using Kallax units as sliding door storage afterwards – any experiences?
Created on: 3 Jan 2018 14:23
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baupar
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!
Regarding the assembly again: If you have no experience, first build a small model to test the guiding system. With sliding doors, precise alignment is crucial—I experienced this myself with another piece of furniture. Especially with older Kallax shelves, where the side panels may already be slightly warped, installing the rails can be challenging. One more tip: for larger doors, it’s better to plan for two rail tracks to distribute the load.
KIN42 schrieb:
You can add interior paneling to optimize storage space and increase stability.I’m interested in this a bit more: Could you briefly explain which types of interior paneling or reinforcements have proven effective? My concern is that the original side panel of the Kallax unit might not withstand the stresses from the sliding door and tracks.
Sure. I recommend installing simple cross braces made of 12-15 mm (0.5-0.6 inch) multipurpose plywood or laminated wood, and if needed, backing panels made of thin MDF board inside. These should be screwed to the shelf using angle brackets. This will additionally reinforce the front edges and provide better support for the mounting rails. It prevents the side walls from bending under the pressure of the inserted doors. This way, your Kallax can also withstand heavier loads.
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