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New Ikea storage unit great for LP's!

Desiring new racks for my LP’s, and hearing that the Ikea Kallax was popular with collectors, I went to the Ikea in my new city to check it out. I found the Kallax to have one enticing quality: very large capacity for very little money. Other than that, it didn’t fulfill my desires. At 15-3/4" deep, LP’s are too far from the front edge of the rack. Even worse, the rack is open on the backside, having no rear panel! It is meant to be a room divider, not an LP rack or bookcase. I’m guessing owners don’t mind, as the rack will usually be placed up against a wall, that wall then acting as a rear panel. But I want my LP’s to be inside an enclosed structure, not an open one, if for no other reason than to keep dust away from the LP cover opening. The lack of a rear panel is also at least partially responsible for another problem with the rack: it is not very structurally stiff and strong, being a little wobbly, able to move side-to-side. Ikea has other similar racks---the Bitrade, Valje, and Nornas, but they too fell short of my requirements.

So I kept looking. There are some fine LP racks out there, but I consider the prices ridiculous. Last night I went onto the Ikea website, again looking at their storage units. There was a brand new one named EKET pictured, and it looked like it might fit the bill, so today I went to Ikea to have a look. I do believe I have found my new LP racks! The EKET comes in several different sizes, from a single 13-3/4" cube to a 4-cubicle box. The 4-cubicle version measures 27-1/2" x 27-1/2" x 13-3/4" deep exterior, each cubicle having interior dimensions of 12-7/8" tall, 12-7/8" wide, and 13" deep, perfect for LP’s. Priced at only $50, the EKET 4-cube model provides over four linear feet of LP storage. And it has a back panel! It is also considerable more stiff than the Kallax, which gives me piece of mind. There are a couple of accessory options, including a set of four adjustable feet ($5!) and a 4" base platform, also height-adjustable ($15). Another is a set of screw-on clips which hold multiple units together if they are stacked one atop another. Three of the racks and a base platform end up being 86-1/2" (7’ 2-1/2") tall, perfect for me.

The Ikea EKET is best LP storage deal I have found, so if you have enough LP’s to make their storage an economic concern, check it out. It will leave you more dough for the LP’s themselves!

128x128bdp24
bdp24's avatar
bdp24 OP
9,803 posts
 

bdgregory---The Expidit was the model the Kallax is a replacement for. There was such an outcry when the Expidit was discontinued that Ikea reintroduced it as the Kallax, the name being the only difference between the two. The drawers look like they would be great for CD storage, but the hinges that mount doors to the rack would get in the way of LP’s on the side to which they are mounted. One could put cardboards flats (that come in mail order LP cartons) on that side to solve that problem.

pryso---I had forgotten those chipboard boxes! I used them way back in the 70’s and 80’s, bought at the same unfinished-style store. They were available in a 2-section 15" x 15" version, and the 4-section 30" long one you mention. I too painted mine, and I remember LP covers kind of sticking to the paint. I guess I used the wrong kind! Being chipboard, they were pretty heavy, even moreso when fully loaded. But cheap, and very strong. I looked for some in the 90’s, but never again found them.

By the way, the EKET is available in a bunch of colors---light gray, dark gray (a great charcoal), white, light blue, dark blue, light orange, and bright orange.

slaw's avatar
slaw
21,491 posts
 
I wonder how they compare to Tony's Woodshop record racks regarding price and quality?

I own Per Madsen and have the ability to make my own. I've contiplated the time/material costs vs. buying new.
glennewdick's avatar
glennewdick
1,669 posts
 
I've been using a kallax 5x5 (25 openings) for a few years now and have not had any issues with side to side movement possibly because of the larger size. I recently moved it behind my siting position so as to form a hallway and divide my room better. and now that the back is open I picked up some 1 1/2" x 3/8" wooded slats very close to the same finish as the shelving unit (you may have to stain darker to match if needed) cut to the same length as the back and using finishing nails attached them in the middle of each opening from one side to the other about 6'. this actual looks very good and solves the issues with the opening in the back. I believe there is a picture on my profile if not i'll add one.

bdp24's avatar
bdp24 OP
9,803 posts
 
Good idea Glenn. The Kallax 25 space unit is the best deal around at $199, providing almost 30 linear feet of LP storage (almost 6’ wide, and 5 rows high)! If I got the Kallax (I would be getting a number of the 4-space and 8-space units, my rooms layout not allowing the 25 space model), I was planning on screwing pressed fiberboard onto the rear of each, perhaps even a piece into each space, with 2" x 2" blocks behind each to shorten the depth. The Kallax 8-space unit sells for $65, the 4-space EKET for $50, the Kallax obviously a better deal per linear foot. But I really like the look of the EKET (it looks a little more "finished" than the Kallax, with a even thickness panels having rounded edges), and the charcoal color, not available in the Kallax. It’s all good!
bdgregory
1,712 posts
 
For storage systems which may be too deep, here's an inexpensive solution.  Many years ago, before Ikea, I bought some 30"x15"x15" boxes at an unfinished furniture store.  I selected the model with 4 vertical divisions.  I then found some scrap 1"x1" stock which I cut to the width of each division.  I then glued one in each compartment 12.5" back from the front.  That serves as a stopper when albums are inserted while providing a small set back from the front to protect the albums.
this is exactly what I did. 

thanks bdp24 - I'm ordering some drawer units.  I don't like using the lower cubes for LP's since in my old age it's too hard to stoop down that low. The drawers will make good use of those cubes.
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