ᐅ What types of wooden shelves are available as replacements for the KALLAX?

Hello everyone,

I am facing the challenge of complementing or even completely replacing my IKEA KALLAX shelves with suitable wooden shelves. Since the original shelves sometimes do not offer the necessary stability or quality, I am looking for alternative, preferably high-quality wooden shelves that can be used as replacements for the KALLAX shelves. Accurate dimensions, good load-bearing capacity, and an appealing appearance are important to me. Does anyone have recommendations for wood types or products that have proven reliable, such as solid wood, plywood, or other panels? I am also generally interested in whether there are specific suppliers who produce wooden shelves custom-made for the KALLAX, as I am somewhat handy and might consider individual solutions. Looking forward to your experiences and tips!

I would recommend plywood sheets, 18mm (0.7 inches) thick, as they will definitely support the weight well. You can have the sheets cut to size yourself or order them online.

Solid wood is sturdy but expensive. If it’s just for replacement, you can also use MDF with veneer – affordable and well finished.

I replaced my KALLAX shelves with solid ash wood – it looks great and feels really high quality 😊. Obviously, it costs a bit more, but the stability is totally worth it. Tip: adjust the screw fittings to allow for wood movement.

I think it’s great that you’re looking for higher-quality alternatives. I felt the same way and was unsure if all the panels could support the load. Some suppliers offer cherry or beech in thicknesses of 15–20mm (0.6–0.8 inches). Maybe that would be interesting for you as well?

Ryder35 schrieb:
18mm (3/4 inch) plywood sheets, they will definitely hold the weight well.

Thanks for the tip! What about surface treatment? Are raw sheets sufficient, or should they be sealed?

FELOTAU schrieb:
Some suppliers offer cherry or beech in 15–20mm (5/8–3/4 inch) thicknesses.

That sounds interesting. Does anyone have experience with how these woods compare to plywood, especially regarding load-bearing capacity and everyday use?