ᐅ IKEA Besta DIY – how can I equip the furniture unit with power strips?

Hello everyone, I am currently planning to upgrade my IKEA Besta shelving unit DIY with power strips to supply electricity to the electronics inside in an organized and accessible way. My specific question is: What is the best way to integrate power strips into the Besta furniture without negatively affecting its appearance and stability? I am considering options such as permanently installed multi-outlet power strips or flexible solutions that can still be neatly concealed. Safety aspects, access possibilities behind the furniture back panel or inside, and cable management are also very important to me. Does anyone have concrete tips or experience with this? Which power strips are suitable, where is the best place to connect the power supply, and are there any tricks for cable routing? Thanks in advance for any feedback!

I completely understand how important a clean and safe solution is to you – I went through the same process myself. I equipped my Besta with a flat power strip in the lower shelf, which I fastened to the interior wall using cable ties. I routed the cable through a small opening in the back panel, which I made beforehand with a hole saw. It was important to me that I could still close the back panel without the cable falling out or being pulled too tightly. If you want to fully seal the back panel, a cable duct can help; it looks more professional and provides additional protection for the cable. Regarding the power supply, I simply used a nearby outlet and made sure to properly secure the cable so nothing wobbles or gets pinched.

I see the matter in a more nuanced way. Simply installing power strips inside furniture is not ideal if you want to ensure safety and compliance with standards in the long term. Especially when it comes to electrical installations, it is important to consider the following: - Are the power strips used approved for installation in locations with limited ventilation? - How is the load distributed across the sockets? - Is there a way to hardwire the power strip or at least arrange the cables neatly? - What protective measures against overheating or short circuits can be implemented? For me, it’s more than just hiding cables. Therefore, I would recommend either consulting an electrical company or at least using power strips with built-in safety mechanisms and the appropriate certifications.

I simply installed a cable duct inside my Besta unit. I placed a power strip with a self-adhesive back inside, routed the cable through the back panel, and that was it. Important: leave a gap or cut a hole in the back panel at that spot. This way, everything stays inside the furniture and looks neat. No complicated tricks.

An important consideration is heat buildup. If you want to install a power strip, make sure that the back panel is ventilated or at least allows minimal air circulation. Additionally, I recommend choosing a power strip with built-in surge protection and, if possible, with child safety features. For installation, it is advisable to create an access opening, such as a cutout in the back panel or a flap. This also makes it easier to replace the power strip if one should fail.

FELOTAU schrieb:

I equipped my Besta with a flat power strip in the lower compartment, which I secured to the inner wall using cable ties.

Thanks for the tip, cable ties are a quick solution – did you screw the power strip firmly in place or just fix it loosely? And did you make the cable opening yourself? I ask because I’m concerned that a large opening might compromise the stability of the back panel.

Jamalli schrieb:

Are the power strips used approved for installation in locations with limited ventilation?

That’s actually a point I hadn’t considered yet. Are there specific certifications or markings for that? Do you have any examples?

So far, I’m leaning towards a flat multi-socket extension, but I really need to hide it well without damaging the back panel.