Ikea Expedit as a room divider?

[KrisM]

Does anyone use an Expedit for dividing a room and therefore not anchoring it to the wall? We are thinking of getting a 5x5 and a 4x2 and using them as toy storage in the basement and it would become a "wall" to divide the kid area to the storage area. No wall behind them to anchor them to and concrete on the sides.

Is this safe or should we figure a way to keep it from tipping? The 5x5 is the one we're worried about. The 4x2 would be horizontal and only 2 high.

[JTsMom]

There's no way I'd use one without anchoring it to the wall. It's way too tempting to climb, and God forbid it tipped, it ways a ton.

[american_mama]

I think IKEA advertises it as a wall divider, so I think it would be ok, probably even the 5 high one. If not, you could downgrade to the 4x4, which I think would be definitely ok (assuming children do not climb it). I was just at IKEA two days ago, and have only skimmed the 2010 catalog, but I know they have a photo of Expedit in the first 10ish pages as a room divider; it's definitely the 4x4 or 5x4 and is in one of their "room scenes" (i.e. not just a photo of the item, but it in a whole scene.)

[KrisM]

Originally Posted by JTsMom

There's no way I'd use one without anchoring it to the wall. It's way too tempting to climb, and God forbid it tipped, it ways a ton.

That's my gut thought.

Originally Posted by american_mama

I think IKEA advertises it as a wall divider, so I think it would be ok, probably even the 5 high one. If not, you could downgrade to the 4x4, which I think would be definitely ok (assuming children do not climb it). I was just at IKEA two days ago, and have only skimmed the 2010 catalog, but I know they have a photo of Expedit in the first 10ish pages as a room divider; it's definitely the 4x4 or 5x4 and is in one of their "room scenes" (i.e. not just a photo of the item, but it in a whole scene.)

It is advertised as a room divider, but also says it needs to use the anti-topple devise.

[o_mom]

I would just anchor into the concrete wall and/or floor.

[dcmom2b3]

I have two 5x5 Expedits in an L formation as a combo tv unit/room divider btwn living and dining areas. Both units are anchored, the unit that extends into the room is only anchored on one (short) end, though. Not optimal.

I would be wary of using them in a basement play area unless very, very securely anchored. Their design just begs kids to climb.

[Jacksmommy2b]

A friend did this by using it as a bookshelf/devider and it looks amazing - but she doesn't have kids.

I would do it only if there was a way to anchor it somehow.

[kijip]

Maybe it is because I live on a fault line but I would not use it as a room divider.

[KpbS]

I have vivid memories of a friend climbing a bookcase and it falling on him and breaking his arm at a playdate when I was 5. Seems too tempting for kids climbing and running around.

[JTsMom]

I would think you'd be able to anchor it to the concrete somehow. I know the anchor they sell with the 5X5 for the wall divider purpose is a large metal one.

I have a 5X5 in my craft room (on carpet), and even loaded with a lot of weight, it wouldn't be tough to tip it at all. I've never seen Jason attempt to climb it, but in the 2 days between DH building it and anchoring it (we had to modify it b/c of the baseboard sticking out too far), I kept the door to that room locked b/c it made me so nervous. It is SO darn heavy too, it would really crush a child, even without stuff in it.

I looove my Expedits, so I'd really try to figure out a way to make it work.