ᐅ Ikea BESTA – How can I securely close the doors with magnetic catches?

Hello everyone,

I have a question regarding the Ikea Besta cabinets, specifically about the doors and secure closing options using magnetic catches. I own several BESTA units and want to ensure the doors stay reliably closed in daily use, without needing to constantly pull them shut. It is important to me that the magnets provide strong holding power, but without placing excessive strain on the door mechanism, so the function remains effective over time.

I have seen different types of magnets, such as neodymium magnets or the magnetic catches offered by Ikea, but I am unsure how to best implement this on BESTA doors. I am especially interested in which types of magnetic catches have proven effective, the best way to install them (inside/outside, anchor plates), and the recommended magnet strength to guarantee a long-lasting secure closure.

Can you share your experiences or research on this? Are there alternative methods if magnetic catches do not fit well technically or visually?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

Regarding your question about securely closing the BESTA doors with magnetic catches, Ikea itself offers classic push-to-open magnets for the BESTA series. These are intended more as gentle holders but do not always provide strong long-term hold.

If you need reliable closure, I recommend neodymium magnets with a strength of N42 or higher. Position the magnet on the inside of the door and the strike plate inside the cabinet to avoid visible parts.

Make sure the magnet discs are flat and attached with strong 3M double-sided tape or small screws.

Alternatively, you can also consider small mechanical catches if magnetic force alone is not sufficient.

Neodymium magnets are definitely the best option. Simply attach them inside the door and the cabinet frame. They provide strong adhesion with no mechanical parts.

SUBEN60 schrieb:
If you want reliable closure, I recommend neodymium magnets with a strength of N42 or higher. Place the magnet on the inside of the door and the anchor plate inside the frame to avoid visible parts.

That sounds reasonable, but it’s also important to consider that strong magnets, depending on their polarity and force, could have a negative impact on door hardware or hinges. Are there any practical experiences or recommendations on the optimal magnet strength to avoid affecting mechanical components?

Additionally, what about the long-term effects on the door’s finish? Could continuous contact with strong magnets cause damage?

sifope schrieb:
That sounds logical, but one should also consider that strong magnets might negatively affect door hardware or hinges depending on their polarity and force applied.

There is no confirmed evidence of negative effects on hardware as long as the magnets are not attached directly to metal hinges or moving metal parts.

For mounting, it is recommended to place magnets on the smooth surface, ideally on the frame opposite the hinges, so the door closes evenly.

Regarding the finish: if properly installed on the inner surface without friction, no damage is expected. If damage occurs, a thin protective tape under the magnet can help.

My tip: use strong, flat neodymium magnets and test the polarity and position beforehand to avoid excessive force.

One more practical tip: To find the optimal position for the magnets, first attach them loosely using mounting putty or small double-sided tape, then close the door and check the strength and fit. This way, you can ensure the door closes securely with the magnet and still opens easily.

For my BESTA doors, I also used neodymium magnets, but strongly decoupled with a thin felt or rubber pad to avoid scratches and reduce pressure.

It is also important that the magnets are placed as close as possible to the edge of the door to provide maximum hold when closing.

If you have trouble with alignment, elongated magnetic strips are also a good option—they allow for finer adjustments.