Turn Your IKEA KALLAX Into The Perfect Vinyl Record Storage With One Simple Addition

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At a glance, your Ikea Kallax may seem like the perfect affordable cabinet for storing and displaying vinyl records while keeping them close to your player. However, because the shelves are over 15 inches deep, you may find that they're just too big, causing your records to slide around and get pushed to the back. This can lead to damage — not to mention an aesthetic nightmare — when your records aren't even and flush at the front. Fortunately, with one quick upgrade, you can keep your records neat and safe on a minimal budget. This simple DIY revolves around creating a softer barrier at the back of your Kallax shelf that prevents your records from sliding too far back.

As TikTok user @thewindjaker pointed out, a stopper running across the shelf will help keep your records safe, tidy, and easy to reach when it comes time to play your favorite songs. And the best part? You can make this upgrade with just one product: Frost King self-adhesive rubber foam weatherseal, which you can buy on Amazon for just around $7. There are also DIY alternatives, so you can recreate this project with supplies you may already have on hand.

If you do opt to use the rubber foam tape, you'll first want to measure and cut it to create your bumper. Then, position it near the back of the shelf to secure your records. Each cell in the Kallax is 13 ¼ inches wide. For the best results, you want to measure and cut your tape as close to this size as possible. If there's any space on either end, some of your records may still slip backward through the gaps.

Once you've cut the strip, you want to find the best positioning for your collection. Fortunately, when using self-adhesive tape, you can experiment with how far back you place it before removing the adhesive backing. 12-inch records are the most common, but you may also have some 7- or 10-inch vinyls in your collection. But if your records are all the same size, you can use one record as a guideline to find the perfect positioning for your bumper. If you plan on displaying records of various sizes, you may need to cut your bumper into smaller pieces and stagger their positions based on how you plan on showing off your vinyls. If you're using this method, it may be best to pull your shelf away from the wall and temporarily place all your records in your desired formation. This way, you can mark where each tape bumper should be applied for a neat, tidy look.

As mentioned above, using foam tape is only one method for completing this Kallax upgrade, and it comes with its own pros and cons. For example, when you use a self-adhesive foam tape, you can cut down on the supplies needed for organizing your record display. You also have the freedom to customize your placement, allowing you to display larger and smaller records on the same shelf without sacrificing the visual appeal that comes with aligned cases. However, rubber foam tape is more permanent, and you could damage your Kallax if you ever try to remove it.

As a result, you may want to instead use a pool noodle to hack your Kallax for vinyl records. Using the right tools, you can cut pool noodles to fit your shelf to avoid making any permanent alterations to your Kallax. However, because this method can be bulkier than foam tape, as well as less customizable, you may struggle to display records of different sizes. Given their larger size and bright colors, pool noodles may not be as discreet as rubber foam tape, either.