This IKEA Gem Replaced My 10-Year-Old KALLAX Shelf — and It Looks So High End

Aside from my husband, the longest relationship I’ve ever had is with my KALLAX shelf unit. The IKEA bestseller (and Organization Awards winner!) has been in my life since 2017 and has stuck with me through three apartment moves and multiple iterations. It’s been a bookcase, room divider, and, for the past few years, our media console. More than that, it houses my art supplies, puzzles, and art books; my husband’s video games; and our household liquor stash. 

I’d still recommend the KALLAX shelf to anyone looking for affordable multipurpose storage, but after nearly a decade of its loyal service I was ready to graduate to a more grown-up piece. Enter: IKEA’s STOCKHOLM 2025 sideboard. It’s the stylish, design-forward upgrade I was looking for, and it ended up transforming our living room layout. 

Part of the IKEA STOCKHOLM collection that debuted last spring — which focuses on premium pieces made using higher-quality materials — the STOCKHOLM 2025 sideboard is a sturdy statement piece at 63 inches wide, 16.5 inches deep, and 32 inches tall. It features two large cabinets, each with an adjustable shelf, and two wide drawers for ample storage. 

The sideboard is outfitted with push-to-open cabinet doors and finished in a light oak veneer for a sleek, Scandinavian-inspired look. Slat-style legs give it an elegant touch, and they can even be adjusted if you have uneven floors (a common occurrence in New York apartments like mine). While it’s technically intended for dining rooms, its plentiful storage and generous surface area make it the perfect media console.

Most IKEA pieces require assembly, so I wasn’t surprised when the STOCKHOLM 2025 sideboard arrived in three boxes. What did surprise me, however, was how heavy they all were. I was able to get the smaller of the three boxes up my stairs, but I ended up calling in reinforcements (aka my husband) to carry the two large boxes. This is actually a great sign: it signaled how hefty and sturdy the finished build would be.

For context: My husband is kind of a pro when it comes to building furniture (humble brag), and we rated the STOCKHOLM 2025 sideboard a solid 7 out of 10 on the difficulty scale. Mostly because there are a lot of pieces, many of which are large and difficult to manage solo — so I’d recommend building it with another person. Despite the scale, the cabinet doors were surprisingly easy to align — a rare win in the world of flat-pack furniture. All in all, it took us around 2 1/2 hours to put it together, and we used a drill to help expedite the process. Once complete, the sideboard was truly stunning. 

Despite being slightly larger than my KALLAX unit, the STOCKHOLM 2025 sideboard instantly made my living room look lighter and less crowded. I attribute it to the sideboard’s airy oak finish, and the cabinet doors that conceals the visual clutter that used to sit in plain view on my old KALLAX shelf. Board games, puzzles, art supplies, candles, and bar cart essentials all fit inside the sideboard’s roomy cabinets (with room to spare), while the two slim, wide drawers are perfectly sized for gaming and TV remotes, chargers, and other small items. I was a little nervous about the cabinet doors clashing with my coffee table, but that thankfully wasn’t an issue — even in my cramped apartment living room. 

In terms of aesthetics, the STOCKHOLM 2025 sideboard is the stuff of my Scandi-design-loving dreams. Its brushed oak veneer and sleek silhouette are incredibly sophisticated, and the piece makes my living room look so much cleaner and intentionally styled. While it’s pricier than the KALLAX at $599, it honestly looks quadruple the price — like something I’d see in a high-end furniture store. My husband and I still marvel at the impact it’s had on our living room — it feels so grown-up! 

We also appreciate its taller height. While most media consoles are quite low, the 32-inch-tall STOCKHOLM 2025 sideboard is a great fit for our standard-height sofa. And although our TV sits ever-so-slightly above eye level, I think it’s perfect. Besides, its 63-inch-wide surface fits our 60-inch TV and gaming console, and even has room for a lamp and small decor. Just note that because this is technically a sideboard first, you’ll have to drill holes to manage cables (I didn’t because I don’t keep any of our tech in the cabinets!). 

I’ll always have a soft spot for my IKEA KALLAX shelf, but the STOCKHOLM 2025 sideboard is the stylish pivot I was ready for. It somehow manages to be a hard-working storage hub and a Scandi statement piece in one. My living room has never looked better! 

Buy: IKEA STOCKHOLM 2025 sideboard, $599