ᐅ Who is using Kallax as a kitchen shelf? I find it impractical.

Hello everyone,

Some time ago, I bought an IKEA Kallax shelf to use it in my kitchen as additional storage and workspace. However, I am starting to doubt whether this is really a practical solution. Especially when working regularly in the kitchen, the shelf doesn’t seem very convenient to use: the compartments are fairly spacious, but the height is limited, making it hardly suitable for larger items. Besides, I find it difficult to clean and it quickly looks messy when storing things like spices, dishes, or kitchen appliances.

So my question to you is: who actually uses Kallax as a kitchen shelf? What are your experiences with it – especially regarding usability, cleaning, and stability? I just find it impractical for everyday use and wonder if I am approaching this the wrong way or if there are better furniture solutions for the kitchen. Thanks in advance for your feedback!

Kernreo schrieb:
You mentioned the shelf is difficult to clean

Could you please explain this in more detail? How exactly do you clean it, and what specific issues do you encounter? Vacuuming or wiping down is usually straightforward.

Also, is the shelf designed for kitchen use at all? The Kallax is primarily intended as a living room shelf, so in this case, it might be more a matter of choosing the right furniture rather than a problem with the product itself.

Are there any alternatives you are considering? I think it’s important to clearly define the requirements first before labeling products as “impractical.”

I use a Kallax as a kitchen shelf. I use it for bottles and small appliances. Cleaning is quick and easy. Stability is acceptable, but you shouldn’t place heavy loads on it. It’s better than open shelves when dealing with strong odors.

Kernreo schrieb:
The individual compartments are quite spacious, but the height is limited, making them hardly usable for larger items.

I can confirm that. The compartment height of just under 33 cm (13 inches) naturally limits usability for tall items like large vases or bigger pots. In my kitchen, the Kallax is mainly used as a shelf for cookbooks, smaller kitchen tools, and baskets.

If you need more storage space for larger items, a sideboard with bigger compartments or even wall cabinets might be more suitable. I’ve also noticed that Kallax units without doors tend to collect dust easily, so that’s something to consider.

From a factual perspective:

The Kallax shelf was originally designed as living room furniture, not primarily for use in damp areas like the kitchen. Although the lacquer finish is relatively durable, the open design leads to issues with dust and moisture accumulating in the compartments.

Regarding cleaning, the open design is also a disadvantage: liquids or crumbs can easily get inside, making regular cleaning more difficult.

The sturdy construction of the shelves does allow for the use of baskets or boxes to organize things, but this in turn reduces storage space and limits flexibility.

If you are looking for kitchen shelving, models with doors or closed drawers are often more practical. It is important to prioritize the intended use and choose the furniture accordingly.

Danabla schrieb:
The Kallax shelf was originally designed as living room furniture

That’s true, and you can definitely notice that when using it in the kitchen! I use the Kallax as a small herb garden substitute with pots inside and some nice baskets for storing supplies. Of course, the compartments aren’t very large, but that actually helps keep things tidy.

Cleaning? Just pull out the baskets and wipe underneath—it’s not a big deal. In my opinion, as long as you don’t use the shelf as a main work surface, it works fine. 🙂

But yes, for a real kitchen with lots of cooking and drinking, it’s more of a place for decoration and easy-to-organize items—nothing more.