WIcked Brick display solutions for Ikea Kallax
Posted by Huw,
We are big fans of Wicked Brick display solutions here at Brickset, having reviewed many different types over the years.
One that we haven't looked at until now are those that are designed to fit into Ikea Kallax storage units to create an attractive, versatile, and dust-free display environment.
Kallax units are relatively cheap and readily available thanks to Ikea's global presence and are a popular choice for displaying LEGO in. However, like any open shelving, by default they don't provide protection from dust, which is where Wicked Brick's product comes in.
Its Display Solution for IKEA KALLAX consists of Perspex panels that are designed to fit snugly into the square holes of the units, at the front and, optionally, at the back as well. They are available plain or with a printed border, and occasionally seasonal or themed ones are produced, such as for Halloween or Star Wars.
The ones I've been sent has a plain white border which matches the colour of my Kallax. It comprises six pieces of 5mm Perspex: front and back panels, and two side panels for each which keep them upright.
Additionally, a small tool is provided that fits into a slot at the bottom of the panels which is used to hook them out once they've been put in place: it would be pretty much impossible to do so without it.
It was not easy photographing white and clear things on a light grey background, and it was difficult to photograph them in place, in a confined space with reflections on them, as well!
If you have Kallax units and are constantly changing what you have on display, these may well be more useful to you than the company's myriad products tailored for specific sets.
The printed ones with back panels as shown above cost £34.99 each; unprinted ones are slightly cheaper.
As with all Wicked Brick products, they are extremely well-made and come well-packed to ensure they arrive undamaged and unscratched. They are not cheap, but good quality never is.
A range of inserts is also available, for displaying minifigs or small models on shelves. You can view the whole range of Kallax-compatible products here.
Thanks to Wicked Brick for providing the items for this review.
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39 comments on this article
FYI, Kallax system does have dust/glass protection inserts: https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/kallax-insert-with-glass-door-white-70340299/
Jeez, €24,95 for just a single clear one is a lot, especially considering IKEA sells glass doors (not plexiglass!) for €17.50 each.
@shaase said:
"FYI, Kallax system does have dust/glass protection inserts: https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/kallax-insert-with-glass-door-white-70340299/"
So for $24 Ikea makes their own insert or for $44 wicked bricks makes theirs! :)
@Tuzi said:
"Jeez, €24,95 for just a single clear one is a lot, especially considering IKEA sells glass doors (not plexiglass!) for €17.50 each."
Makes the whole thing kinda... pointless?
@Huw, a statement, please?
The IKEA insert also includes a glass shelf to split the box into two sections, and hinges so you don't have to worry about losing the special tool required to remove the Wicked Bricks insert.
@shaase said:
"FYI, Kallax system does have dust/glass protection inserts: https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/kallax-insert-with-glass-door-white-70340299/"
Reading this article, I was sure the comments would have people describing their own solutions, just like the minifig display stand the other day.
What I DIDN'T see coming was a proper OEM solution; I was expecting clingfilm.
Does this not cover the back either?
I think the Wicked Brick solution looks better than the IKEA one in my opinion.
Expensive and over-engineered for what it needs to be. Part of the appeal of IKEA units are the hidden fittings …and then buy a Wicked Bricks plastic screen with fittings visible - D’oh!
Yikes! At first I was thinking "Excellent! A cheaper plastic alternative to the IKEA glass door."
But I can't believe they're MORE EXPENSIVE?! The only thing I can come up with as an explanation is that the glass door is more awkward to fit.
If you get the front only, it's £1 cheaper. No thanks.
@theJANG said:
"Does this not cover the back either?"
Yes, you can buy just the front panel, or both front and back.
I would probably go with the Ikea OEM insert over these, but I can understand the appeal. The OEM inserts have huge hinges that are quite ugly, IMO. I think the Wicked Bricks option looks better, but the value isn't there for most people.
All that said, I probably won't ever use Kallax myself because they aren't flexible at all, and they're not big enough to many of the larger sets that I have. I would need to go with Besta for a lot of my display space, and Besta has a much nicer looking glass door -- although it is pretty pricey compared to either of these Kallax options.
Order now for Easter - Their lead times are generally farcical.
I’d rather just accept dust into my life.
Expensive and doesnt even look good.
Too small. Most sets that people will want to display are big 18+ collector sets.
Seem slike these panels fit much more tighly than the glass doors from Ikea, thus having less dust come in. And I have to admit, they just look a bit nicer, especially with that printed edge.
But that doesn't take away they're rather pricey, and having to use that tool (that you WILL lose!) seems cumbersome.
Meh, not the best display solution I've seen.
Also, JANGBRICKS IS ON THIS SITE!?!?!?!?
I bought one of the older solution to this and it was impossible to install. This looks much better.
Would agree with the above as also looking at Besta for a more versatile solution. Also doubt I will be ordering from Wicked Brick again after spending over £200 on a LE Barad Dur display. Had a scratched part (small engraved part). They sent me the wrong replacement, and now don't seem to want to respond to several emails I have sent.
The positive from this is that its a reminder that the kallax glass shelves are great at providing more space. Doubles the amount of space to display the vehicle creator series, except the longer ones like the ecto.
Although it does keep them dust free, the main gripe I have with these displays is that by elevating these toys into collector models it discourages handling of the sets from time to time. I still have yet to find a satisfactory solution since a majority of the sets I own are technic and often have some jutting extension like a bucket, crane arm etc that makes them unable to be housed in a cube display of reasonable size.
@shaase said:
"FYI, Kallax system does have dust/glass protection inserts: https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/kallax-insert-with-glass-door-white-70340299/"
Thanks! I've been looking for a glass front solution for Legos in my kallax for years and that is EXACTLY what I need. Something well designed and reasonably priced. Exactly what I would expect from ikea!
I mostly just leave my MOCs packed up for transport, due to the frequency with which I do public displays (12 down, four to go in 2024 alone).
@WizardOfOss said:
"But that doesn't take away they're rather pricey, and having to use that tool (that you WILL lose!) seems cumbersome."
Nah. Just slip it inside one of the cubes before you put the panel in place. Problem solved!
@Studnotontop said:
"I’d rather just accept dust into my life."
Same, I don't want my house to feel like a store or museum with sets behind glass.
We do have a lot of small sets on Kallax shelves but enclosing them would not feel great. I think the best way to describe it would be "un-hygge".
"Kallax" sounds like a Bionicle character, maybe a member of the Brotherhood of Makuta.
Great...cept' I just bought a 'Billy'...and I wish someone would, esp. Ikea themselves would bring back the CD rack insert. I know I saw someone on Etsy is selling a version, but ya' know 'the real McCoy'...:)
@PurpleDave said:
"Nah. Just slip it inside one of the cubes before you put the panel in place. Problem solved!"
So lock the tool meant to open the cube inside of the cube? Right. Perfect.
Kallax is bad for displaying Lego
Its way too deep and not enough spacious at the same time.
@lordofdragonss said:
"Kallax is bad for displaying Lego
Its way too deep and not enough spacious at the same time."
I agree. But awesome for board games though!
https://uniquedisplay.co.uk/products/clear-window-display-for-ikea-kallax?variant=47862884630849
Tried these from UniqueDisplays the other day, very similar, 2x panels for £19.99 delivered in about 3 days. Slight discount the more of them you order too. Will be buying more.
@TheOtherMike said:
""Kallax" sounds like a Bionicle character, maybe a member of the Brotherhood of Makuta."
Ah yes - Great Eurovision Song Contest winners.
Save Your Kisses for Me....
Just FYI, if you're thinking of getting BESTA, be aware that racking is a big issue so be prepared to deal with that. Built quite a few BESTA units in the last year and they all suffer from racking issues due to the thin backboard being insufficient to prevent movement of the top/bottom/sides.
Looks great in the catalogue and in store but needs additional 'engineering' when constructing.
As for these things, not my cup of tea and, in any event, WB have lost my custom for their ridiculous shipping charges and their even more ridiculous lead times. Thankfully, I've found a better supplier for my display cases.
@sjr60 said:
" @TheOtherMike said:
""Kallax" sounds like a Bionicle character, maybe a member of the Brotherhood of Makuta."
Ah yes - Great Eurovision Song Contest winners.
Save Your Kisses for Me...."
I couldn't give a Fig (aro)
For MISB storage and some display, we use IKEA Gorm. It’s very utilitarian. Around the prettier areas of the house, we use IKEA Billy for set display amidst books and games. We love IKEA. :o)
Having had issues with the doors (not glass) that I'd gotten for my Kallux unit a while back, I did go ahead and purchase two of these. Only frustrating thing was receiving just the sides initially - I had to wait a couple of extra weeks to receive the front and back panels. This may have been because these were the newer version of the original inserts WB made before they discontinued them. These were definitely easier to contend with then either individual cases or the nightmare of trying to put the doors on (yes, I did follow all Ikea instructions, but the side holes were not predrilled properly to match orientation at all). These inserts also look a lot better than having doors, and allow me to view my Star Wars (and select other sets) easily, without losing much space at all.
@yellowcastle said:
"For MISB storage and some display, we use IKEA Gorm. It’s very utilitarian. Around the prettier areas of the house, we use IKEA Billy for set display amidst books and games. We love IKEA. :o)"
I hear the former can glinch, if it's not the right size for your needs.
@PurpleDave said:
" @yellowcastle said:
"For MISB storage and some display, we use IKEA Gorm. It’s very utilitarian. Around the prettier areas of the house, we use IKEA Billy for set display amidst books and games. We love IKEA. :o)"
I hear the former can glinch, if it's not the right size for your needs."
I got that reference... unfortunately.
@Angry_Warlock said:
"Order now for Easter - Their lead times are generally farcical. "
Very true, shipping within 6 weeks is a joke. Made an order mid August and is still waiting for something to happen. Customer support answer quickly but the answers are only more jokes...