We’ve been there—futile furniture hunting.
Txetxu31 tells us, “We’d been looking for a medium-to-large coffee table with storage for a while,” he explains, “but we couldn’t find anything that met those requirements unless we ordered a custom-made piece. But that was too expensive.”
Lucky for us, inspiration struck. And the result is a KALLAX hack in the shape of a sprawling coffee table with more storage than you have remotes.
Here’s exactly how it’s done.
The Large KALLAX Coffee Table Hack: Step-by-Step
What You’ll Need
- 2× IKEA KALLAX 3-compartment shelving units (the 1×3 horizontal version)
- 2× laminated boards (matching the color/finish of the KALLAX units — one for the top, one for the base)
- Metal joining brackets (L-brackets or furniture connector bolts work well)
- 6× swivel castors/wheels (at least 2 with locking brakes to keep the table in place)
- KALLAX drawer inserts
- KALLAX-compatible storage boxes or baskets
- Construction adhesive (for securing the tabletop board)
- Screws (for securing the base board)
- Drill and screwdriver
- Clamps (helpful for holding pieces while adhesive sets)
Step 1: Assemble the KALLAX Units
Assemble the first KALLAX shelving units according to IKEA instructions. For the second one, leave the top piece off first, which will make the next step easier. Place them side-by-side in a row to form one wide, low unit.
Step 2: Join the Two Units Together
The two KALLAX units are joined at their shared central floor using L-brackets. Use L-brackets to bridge the two units and secure them together as one solid, unified piece.
Step 3: Add the Base Board
Cut or source a wooden board that spans the full underside of the joined units and matches their combined footprint. This base board is screwed directly into the underside of both KALLAX units, locking them together and providing a solid, level platform for mounting the wheels.
Step 4: Fit the Wheels
Before flipping the structure upright, this is the perfect moment to attach the castor wheels to the base board. Position one castor at each corner, using screws appropriate for the board thickness. Then, install two wheels in the middle to support the center and prevent sag.
Txetxu31 says, “We decided to put wheels on it instead of legs; two of them have brakes to lock them in place, which is essential.”
Install furniture legs if a rolling coffee table is not your vibe.
Pro tip: Choose castor wheels with a weight rating that comfortably exceeds the expected load. For a build this size, look for castors rated at 30–50kg each.
Step 5: Attach the Tabletop
Flip the assembled structure onto its wheels. Now it’s time for the top board, which will cover the gap between the two shelving units and turn them into one large coffee table.
Cut the top board to the same dimensions as the base (or very slightly larger if you want a small overhang for a more furniture-like feel).
Apply construction adhesive evenly across the top surface of both KALLAX units, then carefully position the top board and press it firmly into place.
“The top board, or tabletop, is attached with construction adhesive,” Txetxu31 explains to avoid visible screw heads on the surface.
Use clamps or heavy objects to hold the board flat while the adhesive cures fully, following the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Pro tip: For a truly seamless look, lightly sand the edges of the top board and apply iron-on edge banding in a matching finish. It adds a polished, intentional feel to the whole piece.
Step 6: Add the Inserts and Organise
Now for the fun part — filling those beautiful open compartments with storage solutions that actually work for your life.
Txetxu31 installed a KALLAX 2-drawer insert in the central compartment for items they want to access regularly but keep out of sight. The remaining compartments are filled with KALLAX-compatible boxes and decorative storage containers.
“We also included a drawer unit for a KALLAX shelving system in one of the compartments,” says Txetxu31. “We plan to use containers or boxes for KALLAX shelving in the other compartments.”
The Finished Result
We love how a few simple steps transformed the KALLAX shelving units into a large, low coffee table, a model we wish IKEA made.
Make It Your Own: Styling & Customisation Ideas
One of the best things about this hack is how easily it can be adapted to suit different tastes and living situations. Here are a few ways to put your own stamp on it:
- Go dark and moody: Choose the KALLAX in black-brown or dark grey, with matte black castors and woven seagrass baskets for a sophisticated, masculine look.
- Boho-luxe: Opt for a white KALLAX, stencil the shelving unit, and top the surface with a large tray, a trailing pothos plant, and a stack of coffee table books.
- Scandi-minimal: Keep the white-oak finish as Txetxu31 did, use matching white drawer inserts throughout, and leave the top surface clean and clutter-free.
- Family-friendly: Use the compartments for toy storage with colourful DRONA boxes, and add a cork mat or silicone surface protector to the top for durability.
- Surface upgrade: Apply a peel-and-stick veneer or contact paper to the top board to mimic marble, concrete, or dark wood for an affordable yet dramatic transformation.
- Workhorse mode: Turn it into a lift top coffee table for quick meals or laptop work in the living room.
Thanks to Txetxu31 for sharing this build and inspiring us all to look at our IKEA pieces a little differently.
Have you tried a KALLAX hack of your own? We’d love to see it.