ᐅ Who has painted Kallax furniture in a dark color themselves?

Hello everyone,

I wanted to ask if any of you have ever painted the Kallax shelving system from IKEA yourself in a dark color? I’m particularly interested in the effort involved, the types of paint used, and especially how you prepared the material before starting.

I’ve heard that sanding the Kallax well is important because otherwise the wood doesn’t take the paint properly. I’m also curious about how durable the surface is afterward and whether the paint tends to peel over time or if scratches become very noticeable.

So, if you have experience with painting Kallax in dark tones yourself, I would be very grateful for your detailed reports. Maybe with tips on which paints or finishes work best, or common mistakes to avoid. Thanks in advance!

Sadri schrieb:
I have heard that it is important to sand the Kallax well because the wood does not absorb paint properly otherwise.

This is indeed one of the most important points when painting the Kallax in a dark color. I have personally painted two Kallax shelves black and can say: preparation is key.

First, I recommend sanding the entire piece with 120-grit sandpaper to roughen the glossy surface. Then make sure to thoroughly dust off the surface so the paint adheres well later on. For priming, I used a matte wood primer that is specially designed for MDF-like surfaces.

For the paint itself, I suggest acrylic paints—they are easy to apply, dry quickly, and are durable. Two to three thin coats are better than one thick coat. Lightly sand between coats, preferably with 220-grit sandpaper.

If you want the paint to be more resistant, a final clear coat in matte or satin finish can provide extra protection, especially if the shelf will be used frequently.

One question: which dark shade are you considering? Black, anthracite, dark brown? Depending on the choice, the application might vary slightly.

One last tip: don’t forget the edges—paint tends to chip there first if they aren’t treated carefully.

Palenar schrieb:
If you want the paint to be durable, a final clear coat in matte or satin finish can provide extra protection.

I can confirm that. A few months ago, I painted a Kallax completely in dark gray. It was important for me to use environmentally friendly paints since it’s in the children's room.

My approach was: light sanding, then a white primer, because dark paint covers better over a white base. After that, several coats of a water-based acrylic lacquer. Finally, I applied the clear coat because I wanted the surface to be nicely durable.

Personally, I found it helpful to use a small foam roller to avoid too many small brush marks after drying. Overall, the shelf has been in use for almost a year now and the paint is holding up very well – hardly any scratches and no areas where it’s peeling.

If you haven’t decided on a color yet: dark gray or anthracite are very versatile and have a modern look. Black can sometimes feel too harsh, depending on the room design.

Best regards and good luck with your project! 🙂

Sadri schrieb:
I am especially interested in the effort involved, the colors used, and above all, how you prepared the material before getting started.

I have to be honest that I’m a bit cautious about painting the Kallax yourself in a dark color. The material is optimized for its affordable price, and altering it usually wears down the structure.

Sanding and priming might give the perfect look, but in the long run, an original factory-finished Kallax still looks more professional than a DIY paint job. Especially with dark colors, even minor flaws or uneven textures become immediately noticeable.

That said, if you do want to paint it yourself, I would definitely recommend allowing at least two weeks before use, as the paint really needs to fully dry and cure. Only then will the surface be resistant to scratches and wear.

For those who want to be absolutely sure, you could also consider vinyl wrapping – it looks very high-quality and is even more durable than regular paint.

Just a thought to consider whether the effort and time invested really justify the result. 😉