20 BRILLIANT WAYS TO HACK THE IKEA KALLAX BOOKCASE

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The IKEA KALLAX is one of the most versatile piece of cube storage furniture in the Swedish blue and yellow store. What we love is the strong clean lines and versatile cube storage that will never go out of style. And if it does, you can always hack it. 

One thing to note is the hollow structure of the KALLAX bookshelf, so you'll need to be careful when drilling or cutting the KALLAX. 

Another fun fact: Before the KALLAX was the EXPEDIT. It looked the same except for some size difference. The material is probably different too. Some swear the EXPEDIT is more sturdier and perhaps it is, mine is still standing strong. So if you find IKEA EXPEDIT hacks you like, they will most likely work for the KALLAX too.

ikea kallax unit

IKEA KALLAX PRODUCT DETAILS:

  • Size of cube: 13"x13" (33cm x 33cm)
  • Materials: Particleboard, Fiberboard, Acrylic paint, Honeycomb structure paper filling (100% recycled), Plastic edging
  • Accessories: Drawer inserts, shelf inserts, door inserts, inserts with compartments, insert for bottles, baskets, boxes

KALLAX SHELF UNIT SIZES

The KALLAX is available from a small single cube to 1x2, 1x4, 2x2, 2x4, 3x3, 4x3, 4x4 and a massive 5x5 unit. That's a whole lot of KALLAX config to fit any intent and purposes.

KALLAX LEG AND INSERTS

ikea kallax with legs

Other than the frames, we cannot miss the add-ons. IKEA sells an underframe to lift the KALLAX frame off the floor. It comes in two sizes: 2-cube or 4-cube wide.

Then of course, there's a plethora of inserts. Doors, shelves, drawers, boxes and baskets so you can slice and dice the cube storage exactly the way you want it.    

IKEA KALLAX HACKS

Besides the obvious as a storage unit and room divider, the KALLAX is popularly used for IKEA hacks and repurposing. 

The IKEA KALLAX can be turned into a beautiful TV stand, reading nook, platform bed and genius movable kitchen island.

Check out our tips on how to add legs to the KALLAX and close up the back of the KALLAX and bring your DIY project to the next level.

Scroll down for our list of clever IKEA KALLAX hacks and get your project off the ground and running. 

Latest

A discreet subwoofer cabinet in a KALLAX unit

A discreet subwoofer cabinet in a KALLAX unit

I used a black horizontal KALLAX shelving unit for hifi set-up with a subwoofer cabinet. I had to remove an…

Got 2 free Kallax units and here’s what happened

Got 2 free Kallax units and here’s what happened

I wanted a challenge to see if I could make the KALLAX units unique after we received them for free.…

A full-sized bed built from KALLAX shelves + a DIY headboard

A full-sized bed built from KALLAX shelves + a DIY headboard

I had been thinking about buying a harder mattress and bought one spontaneously one day. But I made a mistake…

KALLAX units upcycled into cheap and easy clothes space

KALLAX units upcycled into cheap and easy clothes space

In a very small room, with a high ceiling, I created clothes space by reusing old KALLAX units and an…

Rattan doors for the EXPEDIT / KALLAX cubbies

Rattan doors for the EXPEDIT / KALLAX cubbies

This is an old hack of mine. I had an EXPEDIT TV shelving unit and wanted some BRANÄS drawers for it.…

But Wifey Boss, I NEED a gaming table

But Wifey Boss, I NEED a gaming table

I love DnD, card games, and quick board games. However, with a 2-year-old, space is at a premium. Selling this…

KALLAX twin headboard for narrow space

KALLAX twin headboard for narrow space

We have 2 children sharing a room. My youngest had a twin captain’s bed without a headboard. Her pillows kept…

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Twin boys’ custom closet — an IKEA KALLAX hack

Katherine is an Architect turned SAHM and blogs at twinpickle.com about parenting and kid’s décor. She put together an IKEA KALLAX hack…

Saving a dinged-up As-is KALLAX with bamboo

Saving a dinged-up As-is KALLAX with bamboo

I bought a display model KALLAX from the IKEA As-is room. I didn’t notice until later that the plastic sleeve…

Hackers Help: KALLAX bedframe – need kingsize ideas

Hackers Help: KALLAX bedframe – need kingsize ideas

I found a lot of ideas for the KALLAX bedframe I would like to try. But for more storage, I…

KALLAX side table with storage is the perfect small nightstand

KALLAX side table with storage is the perfect small nightstand

For this simple yet effective hack we used a single 1×1 KALLAX unit and transformed it into a combination bedside…

Cash wrap counter to die for. It’s massive!

Cash wrap counter to die for. It’s massive!

We used IKEA components to build a massive cash wrap counter for our petstore. Materials: 3 x KALLAX 4×2 shelving…

Modern TV Stand from KALLAX + FROSTA

Modern TV Stand from KALLAX + FROSTA

I made a modern TV stand combining the KALLAX shelving unit with legs from the FROSTA stool. IKEA items used:…

2 storey wooden playhouse hack: IKEA KALLAX goes big!

2 storey wooden playhouse hack: IKEA KALLAX goes big!

I just finished the following project – adding a wooden playhouse on top of two IKEA KALLAX shelving units. The…

IKEA KALLAX Queen Storage Bed

IKEA KALLAX Queen Storage Bed

I built this prior to knowing this website existed, this probably would have saved some contemplation. For difficulty reference, I…

diy lattice wine rack insert

How to DIY Wine Rack Inserts for the KALLAX

Want the best way to store your wine bottles on the IKEA KALLAX unit? Look no further than the IKEA…

DJ Booth with integrated turntables and mixer

DJ Booth with integrated turntables and mixer

The DJ booth project started with my turntables and mixer, since one turntable was black and the other silver. I…

Black Home Bar with KALLAX

Black Home Bar with KALLAX

I decided to hack a home bar in black for a sleeker and more modern look. The original light wood…

KALLAX Platform bed

KALLAX Platform bed

I made this bed for my daughter after she had been begging me for bunk beds and I totally knew…

ikea kallax craft table hack

4 ways to hack an IKEA Craft Table with storage

It’s very easy to make a large craft table with the IKEA KALLAX as the starting point. You can further…

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