Adapting furniture to your space is essential for creating a comfortable and functional home. The IKEA KALLAX shelf is a versatile piece that you may want to consider, because it can be customized to fit any space or budget. With a few simple hacks, you can update your KALLAX shelf to serve a variety of useful and stylish functions.
Before Expedit, Now KALLAX
The IKEA KALLAX shelf is the successor to the IKEA Expedit shelf. The two models are very similar, so most of these hacks will work on both Expedit and KALLAX shelves.
KALLAX Measurements and Details
Here are some key measurements and details about the KALLAX shelf:
- Height: 77″
- Width: 39 1/4″
- Depth: 15 3/4″
- Cube size: 13″ x 13″
- Materials: Particleboard and fiberboard
20 KALLAX Ideas and Creative Hacks
Here are 20 IKEA KALLAX hacks for every room in your home:
1. Bookshelf With Seat
This is a classic KALLAX hack that is easy to do and looks great in any room. To create a bookshelf with a seat, simply place a 1×4-box or 2×4-box KALLAX horizontally, and add a cushion on top. You can also add baskets or drawers to the bottom boxes for book storage or place books vertically as you would on any other shelf.
2. Bench Seat With Storage
This hack is similar to the bookshelf with a seat, but it can be used as a bench in your entryway, living room, or bedroom. Again, to create a bench seat with storage, lay a 1×4-box or 2×4-box KALLAX horizontally, and add a cushion on top. You can also add baskets or drawers to the bottom shelf for storage, but this time, fill them with all the odds and ends you want to keep out of view.
3. KALLAX Mudroom Bench
This hack comes straight from Taskrabbit Taskers and is perfect for creating a mudroom bench to store coats, shoes, and other items. To create a mudroom bench, place a KALLAX shelf on its side and attach a bench seat to the top. You can again add baskets or drawers to the bottom shelf for storage.
4. Filing Cabinet
If you’re looking for KALLAX insert ideas, look no further. This hack is a great way to use your KALLAX shelf to create a filing cabinet in your office. To do it, simply insert file boxes and hanging file folders into the shelf cubes. You can also add labels to the cubes to help you keep your files organized.
5. KALLAX Sideboard
This hack is perfect for creating a stylish and functional sideboard. To create a sideboard, tilt one 2×4-box KALLAX horizontally, and add KALLAX doors to the front. You can also add a new glass or wooden top to the sideboard to give the piece a unique, finished look. To really make it stand out, attach feet to the base so it sits a few inches off the ground.
6. Playroom Storage Bench
As a twist on the hacks above, you can create a storage bench for your playroom, similar to the ones mentioned above—but this would be toy-related for your playroom or childcare business. The best part is that it will let you store all your kids’ toys and allow for easy clean-up at the end of the day! To create this storage bench, again lay a 1×4-box or 2×4-box KALLAX shelf on its side, and add a cushion on top. You can then add baskets or drawers to the bottom shelf for storage.
7. Office Lockers
This hack is perfect for creating lockers for your office. To create lockers, simply set up any size of KALLAX, and add lockable doors to the front. (Alternatively, you can put lockboxes in each KALLAX box—just make sure any lockboxes you add are secure and connected to the KALLAX, as this will help keep your belongings safe from a break-in or lockbox theft.)
8. KALLAX Pet Bed
Here’s another hack from our Taskers! With this one, you can create a perfect, comfortable, and stylish bed for your small pet. To create a pet bed, simply place a KALLAX shelf on its side, and add a pet bed cushion inside. You can also add a few toys or treats to the bed to keep your pet entertained.
9. KALLAX Coffee Table
Need a new, stylish, and functional coffee table? Try this hack! To create a coffee table, simply set two KALLAX shelves next to each other, and add a glass or wooden top. You can also add baskets or drawers to the bottom shelf for storage.
10. KALLAX Entryway Bench
This hack is perfect for creating a stylish and functional bench for your entryway. To create an entryway KALLAX bench, again lay a 1×4-box or 2×4-box KALLAX on its side in your entryway, and add a cushion on top. Similar to the mudroom bench hack, this can work great for families with lots of shoes, hats, mittens, and other items for outdoor use! And again, you can also add baskets or drawers to the bottom shelf for storage.
11. KALLAX TV Stand
You can also create a stylish and functional TV stand with a KALLAX. To do this, simply stack two KALLAX shelves on top of each other (or tilt a 1×4- or 2×4-box KALLAX on its side), and place your TV on top. You can also add baskets or drawers to the bottom cubbies for extra storage, or put your video game consoles, controllers, and other gaming and movie-related equipment there.
12. Plant Stand
Taskrabbit Taskers also recommend using a KALLAX to create a unique and stylish plant stand. To create a plant stand, simply place a KALLAX shelf on its side, and place your plants on the shelves or on top of it. If your plants will grow taller, just make sure they have enough space to do so. You can also make a taller plant stand by setting a KALLAX up vertically!
13. Vertical Herb Garden
Embrace green living by transforming your Kallax into a vertical herb garden! You can grow fresh, thriving herbs in your home, and they’ll be easily accessible for cooking. This hack combines aesthetics with sustainability, adding a touch of nature to your space.
14. KALLAX Craft Station
Here’s something crafty: a new craft station for your home. To create a craft station, simply place a KALLAX shelf in a corner of your home, and add a table nearby. You can then use the KALLAX shelf to store your craft supplies, which will never be more than an arm’s reach away.
15. KALLAX Bar Cart
Infuse a touch of glamor into your home with a Kallax-turned-chic bar cart. This hack redefines entertaining by providing a mobile and stylish solution for your bar essentials. If you want to host gatherings with this eye-catching and functional piece, simply add wheels to the base of your 2×2-box KALLAX, and fill it with all your favorite drinks and mixers.
16. KALLAX Wine Rack
Have you been putting off buying a wine rack? Now you don’t have to, because you can easily create a wine rack with a KALLAX! To do this, simply insert wine racks into the cubes of a KALLAX shelf. You can then store your wine in the racks. Any size of KALLAX will do!
17. KALLAX Bathroom Storage
Everyone needs more bathroom storage, right?. To build in more with a KALLAX, simply place the shelf in your bathroom, and add baskets or drawers to the shelf cubes. You can then use the shelf to store towels, toiletries, and other bathroom items.
18. KALLAX Pet Feeding Station
Want to build a new pet-feeding station for your home? Look no further than the KALLAX! To perform this hack, simply place a KALLAX shelf in a corner of your kitchen or dining room. You can then place your pet’s food, water bowls, and any other related supplies on the shelf.
19. KALLAX Home Office Storage
This hack is perfect for creating storage in your home office. To do this, place a KALLAX shelf in your home office, and add baskets or drawers to the shelf cubes. You can then use the shelf to store files, books, and other office supplies.
20. Floating Night Stand Duo
Elevate your bedroom decor with this KALLAX hack by creating a set of floating nightstands. By attaching 1×2-box KALLAX shelves to the wall on either side of your bed, you can add a touch of modernity and functionality to your sleeping space. The floating look will allow you to easily clean underneath your nightstand, which is an added bonus!
We hope these IKEA KALLAX hacks have given you some inspiration for how to use this versatile piece of furniture in your home. With a little creativity, you can turn your KALLAX shelf into anything you need it to be! Just don’t forget to check out the KALLAX accessories available at IKEA. And if you need your KALLAX assembled or moved, consider hiring a Tasker!
