The IKEA Kallax is one of the most useful pieces of furniture ever made. It holds records, books, baskets, toys and craft supplies, it's sturdy, and it costs very little. It's also instantly recognizable, and a grid of 16 identical filled cubes looks exactly like a college dorm.
The fix is two parts. First, change how it looks with a couple of simple additions. Second, don't fill every cube. Style it with gaps.
Hack 1: add oak edge trim
Thin oak strips, about 1/4 inch thick and the width of the Kallax edge, glued to the front edges of the cubes change the look completely. The white box becomes a white box with a warm wood frame, which reads as custom.
Some companies sell precut Kallax trim kits. Or buy oak strips from a hardware store and cut them yourself.
Hack 2: put it on legs
Kallax sits directly on the floor, which makes it look heavy. Lifting it on low oak or brass legs, 4 to 6 inches tall, makes it look like furniture. Leg kits made for Kallax screw into the base.
Style with the 1-2-3 method
For a 4x4 Kallax, sort the 16 cubes into three kinds:
- Books in about half the cubes, stacked or upright.
- One object in a few cubes, a vase, a framed print, a small lamp.
- Empty in two or three cubes. Yes, empty.
Scatter the empty and object cubes across the grid, not in a line. It breaks the grid pattern and makes the unit look styled rather than stored.
Use baskets sparingly
Woven baskets hide mess and add texture. But a Kallax with a basket in every cube looks like a storage aisle. Two or three baskets, on the lower row, is enough.
Style the top
The top of a Kallax is a great display surface. A trailing plant at one end, a framed print leaning against the wall, maybe a lamp. It makes the unit feel like a sideboard or console.
Color and placement
White Kallax against a warm white wall disappears into the room, which is often what you want. For a bolder look, the black-brown or a painted Kallax in a soft color can look intentional. Placing it horizontally, 2x4, as a low console under a window or TV, often looks better than a tall 4x4 against a wall.
Records
Kallax cubes are almost exactly the right size for vinyl records, which is why so many people use them that way. Keep records in the lower cubes and put a record player on top. A record leaned face-out in one cube looks great.
Painting a Kallax
If white or black-brown don't suit your room, a Kallax can be painted, but it needs the right prep because of its smooth laminate surface:
- Clean with a degreaser.
- Scuff sand lightly with 220-grit sandpaper.
- Prime with a shellac-based or bonding primer that sticks to laminate.
- Paint with a furniture or cabinet enamel, two thin coats.
Soft greens, warm greige or a deep navy all look good and make the unit look far less like the one in every dorm. Paint the inside of the cubes a slightly different shade from the frame for an extra custom touch.
What it costs
- Kallax 4x4: around $150 to $180.
- Oak trim strips: $30 to $60, plus wood glue.
- Leg kit: $40 to $120.
- Baskets: $15 to $30 each.
About $250 to $400 for a Kallax that looks like a custom piece.
Mistakes to avoid
- Filling every cube. Leave some empty.
- Baskets everywhere. Two or three at most.
- Tiny objects. They get lost in the cubes. Choose pieces at least half the cube's height.
- Placing it flat on carpet. Add legs.
Kallax styling FAQ
How do you style an IKEA Kallax?
Mix books, single objects and a few empty cubes, scattered across the grid. Add baskets on the bottom row only.
How do I make a Kallax look expensive?
Add oak edge trim and legs, leave some cubes empty and style the top.
Can you put legs on a Kallax?
Yes. Several companies make leg kits that screw into the base.
What fits in a Kallax cube?
Books, vinyl records, baskets, small plants, framed prints and ceramics. Each cube is about 13 inches square.
