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Kallax Shelving (vinyl storage)

pjpitt89pjpitt89 Posts: 1,851
in Other Music
I mentioned thus question in another thread but have a few follow ups. I know these units are fairly popular so hopefully someone can help. 

I have a number of black shelving units fir my LPs. These were all purchased maybe 5+ years ago through Amazon but are no longer available unfortunately, because I really like them. 

Kallax looks similar, and seems to be a good option to add on. BUT, two questions:

1. kallax has no backing. Mine have a thick cardboard type back. Has anyone added their own backing?
2. More importantly, kallax are listed as brown-black, mine are BLACK. Do they appear more brown, or more black?

any help would be awesome. Ill paste a few of my shelves below. Thanks!

9/1/00, 4/28/03, 7/5/03, 7/6/03, 7/12/03, 10/1/04, 9/28/05, 5/27/06, 5/28/06, 6/1/06, 6/27/08, 6/30/08, 8/7/08 (EV), 6/12/09 (EV), 10/27/09, 10/28/09,10/30/09, 10/31/09, 5/21/10, 6/15/11 (EV), 9/2/12, 7/19/13, 10/21/13, 10/22/13, 10/27/13, 4/28/16, 4/29/16, 8/7/16, 11/4/16 (TOTD), 8/18/18, 8/20/18, 9/24/21 (EV&Earthlings), 9/26/21, 9/11/2022, 9/14/2022, 9/7/2024, 9/9/2024, 9/12/2024
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Comments

  • mickeyratmickeyrat Posts: 38,651
    edited February 2022
    I can tell you the depth seems to be the same.

    If you like the set back you can match it well enough. if you prefer something closer to the edge a couple folks here have some options on that and will chime in in do course.

    color I have no idea. solid enough units and fairly easy to put together. everything in order per instructions, such as they are....
    Post edited by mickeyrat on
    _____________________________________SIGNATURE________________________________________________

    Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
    you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
    memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
    another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
  • Tim SimmonsTim Simmons Posts: 8,079
    The black brown is just that. Its the blackest shade of brown. 
  • Tim SimmonsTim Simmons Posts: 8,079
    I have a mixture of Kallax (two 2x4) and Expedit (two 5x5). I love them. I don't care if the don't have a back because they are up against walls. They are sturdy (I suggest anchoring them to a wall if you get the 4x4 or 5x5 - or if you have little kids - but also tightening the screws every few years) and easy to assemble.

    I see IG ads for backing all the time. Basically pieces of wood that adhere to the back of the unit. Seems like you could make them your self. 
  • Tim SimmonsTim Simmons Posts: 8,079
    Here’s the Black Brown color under the light. 
  • Spiritual_ChaosSpiritual_Chaos Posts: 30,532
    Check used? Black as a color has existed before.


    "Mostly I think that people react sensitively because they know you’ve got a point"
  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,060
    Question 1:  Yes, I added backing.  I bought black Masonite board and cut them to fit such that the edges of the board lined up in places that could be tacked to the back edge of the shelving.  This was a little tricky but doable with the unit laid down.  The black surface of the Masonite is facing into the cubes so that if any shelves are empty (none are at this point!), you see a smooth black surface, not the textured brown of the Masonite's back side. 
    But now here's where I blew it:  I used very small nails to tack on the backing.   A year or two later, I noticed the records in the middle cubes were more recessed than in the outer ones.  I emptied one center cube to see what was going on and could feel a gap between shelving and backing.  Putting records back in the cube was slowing pushing the backing off.  I had to unload the entire unit (close to 1,000 LPs) and then extricate the unit from it's fairly tight space in my den.  I then re-secured the backing with small screws.  You will definitely want to use little screws to secure the backing and not use tacks like I did the first time!  

    Question 2:  I honestly can't remember if mine are black or brown-black.  I think they are brown-black and look black but I can't swear to what the were called when I bought them.  If you can, I would go to an Ikea and see if they look like a color you would be good with.  One thing I will say- I looked for record shelving for a number of years and never found anything that come close to as good as Kallax for the money.  I think they are you best bet, even if you have to repaint them to your liking.  I am totally happy with them.
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • Tim SimmonsTim Simmons Posts: 8,079
    Like, I'm 100% IKEA has never offered black as a color in the US for Expedit and Kallax (well, at least in the past 15 years).

  • pjpitt89pjpitt89 Posts: 1,851
    edited February 2022
    Bunch of really good info here, thank you! I am sold except for the color, so maybe I'll try to swing by an Ikea and see what they really look like. I actually really love the ones I have, and I found them on Amazon still listed, but shown as unavailable. 
    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000O1APF0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

    Hopefully brown black is close to black so I can get the Kallax to add on.
    9/1/00, 4/28/03, 7/5/03, 7/6/03, 7/12/03, 10/1/04, 9/28/05, 5/27/06, 5/28/06, 6/1/06, 6/27/08, 6/30/08, 8/7/08 (EV), 6/12/09 (EV), 10/27/09, 10/28/09,10/30/09, 10/31/09, 5/21/10, 6/15/11 (EV), 9/2/12, 7/19/13, 10/21/13, 10/22/13, 10/27/13, 4/28/16, 4/29/16, 8/7/16, 11/4/16 (TOTD), 8/18/18, 8/20/18, 9/24/21 (EV&Earthlings), 9/26/21, 9/11/2022, 9/14/2022, 9/7/2024, 9/9/2024, 9/12/2024
  • GlowGirlGlowGirl Posts: 10,935
    pjpitt89 said:
    Bunch of really good info here, thank you! I am sold except for the color, so maybe I'll try to swing by an Ikea and see what they really look like. I actually really love the ones I have, and I found them on Amazon still listed, but shown as unavailable. 
    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000O1APF0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

    Hopefully brown black is close to black so I can get the Kallax to add on.
    Do these look similar to what you are looking for?



  • GlowGirlGlowGirl Posts: 10,935
    There are also some other black shelves on Wayfair.
  • pjpitt89pjpitt89 Posts: 1,851
    I saw some of those other options on Wayfair and Amazon, but they're different than the ones I used to buy from Amazon. The ones I purchased use wood screws and are very sturdy. The one they advertise now uses pegs and some kind of double sided tape. I looked into it, even contacted the company, but it's not the same and I was worried they'd fall apart with the weight unfortunately. 
    9/1/00, 4/28/03, 7/5/03, 7/6/03, 7/12/03, 10/1/04, 9/28/05, 5/27/06, 5/28/06, 6/1/06, 6/27/08, 6/30/08, 8/7/08 (EV), 6/12/09 (EV), 10/27/09, 10/28/09,10/30/09, 10/31/09, 5/21/10, 6/15/11 (EV), 9/2/12, 7/19/13, 10/21/13, 10/22/13, 10/27/13, 4/28/16, 4/29/16, 8/7/16, 11/4/16 (TOTD), 8/18/18, 8/20/18, 9/24/21 (EV&Earthlings), 9/26/21, 9/11/2022, 9/14/2022, 9/7/2024, 9/9/2024, 9/12/2024
  • mickeyratmickeyrat Posts: 38,651
    pjpitt89 said:
    I saw some of those other options on Wayfair and Amazon, but they're different than the ones I used to buy from Amazon. The ones I purchased use wood screws and are very sturdy. The one they advertise now uses pegs and some kind of double sided tape. I looked into it, even contacted the company, but it's not the same and I was worried they'd fall apart with the weight unfortunately. 

    Kallax uses dowel pins for the interior components ,, screws for the outside pieces.  are very light weight but are well suited to this application.

    if you cant get past the color variance betwern the kallax and your existing units. you'll be well served.

    the bonus is you have a year to return if you wish.....
    _____________________________________SIGNATURE________________________________________________

    Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
    you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
    memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
    another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
  • pjpitt89pjpitt89 Posts: 1,851
    A year to return?? Interesting. I’m going to try to get to an Ikea to look. I think I can get over a slight difference in color. My wife however…. My “music room” is right inside our side door so it’s high visibility, her opinion of color matching is a different story
    9/1/00, 4/28/03, 7/5/03, 7/6/03, 7/12/03, 10/1/04, 9/28/05, 5/27/06, 5/28/06, 6/1/06, 6/27/08, 6/30/08, 8/7/08 (EV), 6/12/09 (EV), 10/27/09, 10/28/09,10/30/09, 10/31/09, 5/21/10, 6/15/11 (EV), 9/2/12, 7/19/13, 10/21/13, 10/22/13, 10/27/13, 4/28/16, 4/29/16, 8/7/16, 11/4/16 (TOTD), 8/18/18, 8/20/18, 9/24/21 (EV&Earthlings), 9/26/21, 9/11/2022, 9/14/2022, 9/7/2024, 9/9/2024, 9/12/2024
  • Cropduster-80Cropduster-80 Posts: 2,034
    edited February 2022
    pjpitt89 said:
    A year to return?? Interesting. I’m going to try to get to an Ikea to look. I think I can get over a slight difference in color. My wife however…. My “music room” is right inside our side door so it’s high visibility, her opinion of color matching is a different story
    Just paint them both then you don’t have to paint match and it’s whatever color she wants.  Matching or not I know I couldn’t get away with black in our front room.  My music room just keeps getting moved further and further away as time goes on. 

    Let her pick the color then you’ll get a pass the next time there is a large delivery of vinyl on the front porch 

    Post edited by Cropduster-80 on
  • HesCalledDyerHesCalledDyer Posts: 16,446
    I use 2” wood blind slats for backstops. The cubes are 15” deep so the albums are still recessed about 1/2” in front. Just tack them in with flooring nails. 
    Star Lake 00 / Pittsburgh 03 / State College 03 / Bristow 03 / Cleveland 06 / Camden II 06 / DC 08 / Pittsburgh 13 / Baltimore 13 / Charlottesville 13 / Cincinnati 14 / St. Paul 14 / Hampton 16 / Wrigley I 16 / Wrigley II 16 / Baltimore 20 (xx) / Camden 22 / Baltimore 24
  • JeBurkhardtJeBurkhardt Posts: 4,862
    HesCalledDyer said:
    I use 2” wood blind slats for backstops. The cubes are 15” deep so the albums are still recessed about 1/2” in front. Just tack them in with flooring nails. 
    I cut some pool noodles and have used them as a backstop for mine, but I think eventually I might try to find something a little more permanent.
  • mickeyratmickeyrat Posts: 38,651
    JeBurkhardt said:
    HesCalledDyer said:
    I use 2” wood blind slats for backstops. The cubes are 15” deep so the albums are still recessed about 1/2” in front. Just tack them in with flooring nails. 
    I cut some pool noodles and have used them as a backstop for mine, but I think eventually I might try to find something a little more permanent.

    I go ahead to frustrated when pushing aa few in trying to select one to spin..  .
    _____________________________________SIGNATURE________________________________________________

    Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
    you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
    memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
    another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,060
    Cropduster-80 said:
    pjpitt89 said:
    A year to return?? Interesting. I’m going to try to get to an Ikea to look. I think I can get over a slight difference in color. My wife however…. My “music room” is right inside our side door so it’s high visibility, her opinion of color matching is a different story
    Just paint them both then you don’t have to paint match and it’s whatever color she wants.  Matching or not I know I couldn’t get away with black in our front room.  My music room just keeps getting moved further and further away as time goes on. 

    Let her pick the color then you’ll get a pass the next time there is a large delivery of vinyl on the front porch 


    And pray to God they don't end up pink or chartreuse.  :lol:
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • tempo_n_groovetempo_n_groove Posts: 40,370
    I actually attach mine to the wall.  Does anyone else do that?
  • JeBurkhardtJeBurkhardt Posts: 4,862
    tempo_n_groove said:
    I actually attach mine to the wall.  Does anyone else do that?
    I used 2 brackets to secure my 2 X 4 unit to the studs in the wall.
  • Tim SimmonsTim Simmons Posts: 8,079
    tempo_n_groove said:
    I actually attach mine to the wall.  Does anyone else do that?
    Anchored? Absolutely. And not just because I have kids. Anchoring dramatically reduces the chances of that famous broken Expedit picture from happening (well, for the 4x4 and the 5x5 - I think anything smaller is pretty safe, unless you have little kids, then anchor those too). 

  • JeBurkhardtJeBurkhardt Posts: 4,862
    Tim Simmons said:
    tempo_n_groove said:
    I actually attach mine to the wall.  Does anyone else do that?
    Anchored? Absolutely. And not just because I have kids. Anchoring dramatically reduces the chances of that famous broken Expedit picture from happening (well, for the 4x4 and the 5x5 - I think anything smaller is pretty safe, unless you have little kids, then anchor those too). 

    Yeah, I have a fearless 2 year old grandson who is at the house a lot. Anything that can be secured in place in the house has been. We even have to take the knob covers off of the stove when he is coming over.
  • tempo_n_groovetempo_n_groove Posts: 40,370
    Tim Simmons said:
    tempo_n_groove said:
    I actually attach mine to the wall.  Does anyone else do that?
    Anchored? Absolutely. And not just because I have kids. Anchoring dramatically reduces the chances of that famous broken Expedit picture from happening (well, for the 4x4 and the 5x5 - I think anything smaller is pretty safe, unless you have little kids, then anchor those too). 

    That famous pic is because the person didn't rotate the shelves.  The Kallax shelving was not built in shear, meaning the weight wasn't supported vertically.  The weight of the records rested on the pins rather than the mid shelving.

    The long pieces were put in vertically rather than horizontally.
  • mfc2006mfc2006 Posts: 37,455
    Definitely anchored mine as well. I have the Expedit (before Kallax) in Shiny White. I can post a picture when I get home if you'd like. 

    I also used these & they work great. https://turntablerevival.com/collections/premiumbackspacer
    I LOVE MUSIC.
    www.cluthelee.com
    www.cluthe.com
  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,060
    tempo_n_groove said:
    I actually attach mine to the wall.  Does anyone else do that?

    The only problem with that is if you do that, they can't rock 'n' roll.  What fun is that?
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • JeBurkhardtJeBurkhardt Posts: 4,862
    mfc2006 said:
    Definitely anchored mine as well. I have the Expedit (before Kallax) in Shiny White. I can post a picture when I get home if you'd like. 

    I also used these & they work great. https://turntablerevival.com/collections/premiumbackspacer
    Thanks for the link. I checked them out and bought some. Time to replace the pool noodles. They kept my records from pushing too far back, but they were not good at keeping them lined up so that the spines could be easily read.
  • mfc2006mfc2006 Posts: 37,455
    ^^you bet!
    I LOVE MUSIC.
    www.cluthelee.com
    www.cluthe.com
  • ZodZod Posts: 10,591
    I never secured mine to the wall, but I did fold up some cardboard under the front so it has a slight lean into the wall.  It seems solid.  both my 4x4 and my 4x4 shelving.  cat's jump on it all the time and they don't wiggle at all.  Probably be catastrophic in an earthquake, but other than seems fine.
  • pjpitt89pjpitt89 Posts: 1,851
    Got one! Close enough to black that I thought it matched well 

    9/1/00, 4/28/03, 7/5/03, 7/6/03, 7/12/03, 10/1/04, 9/28/05, 5/27/06, 5/28/06, 6/1/06, 6/27/08, 6/30/08, 8/7/08 (EV), 6/12/09 (EV), 10/27/09, 10/28/09,10/30/09, 10/31/09, 5/21/10, 6/15/11 (EV), 9/2/12, 7/19/13, 10/21/13, 10/22/13, 10/27/13, 4/28/16, 4/29/16, 8/7/16, 11/4/16 (TOTD), 8/18/18, 8/20/18, 9/24/21 (EV&Earthlings), 9/26/21, 9/11/2022, 9/14/2022, 9/7/2024, 9/9/2024, 9/12/2024
  • pledgeagrievancepledgeagrievance Posts: 2,861
    pjpitt89 said:
    Got one! Close enough to black that I thought it matched well 

    Looks great. I’m assuming you don’t have kids?
    I want to do the same but I have a 4 and 2 year old. Those records would be frisbees
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