ᐅ How can I combine open and closed elements for an IKEA BESTA storage unit?
Created on: 8 Nov 2017 08:34
L
LelandgiHello everyone,
I am currently planning an IKEA Besta storage unit for my living room. I am trying to figure out the best way to combine open and closed elements.
I am concerned with both the appearance and the functionality. Open shelves provide the opportunity to display decorative items or frequently used objects within easy reach, while closed compartments offer storage for less attractive or seldom-used things.
How have you managed to create a balanced design that doesn’t look cluttered but remains practical? Are there particular combinations of shelves, doors, drawers, or inserts that work especially well together?
I would appreciate specific design tips, recommendations for arrangement, or advice on common mistakes when mixing open and closed elements in BESTA units.
I am currently planning an IKEA Besta storage unit for my living room. I am trying to figure out the best way to combine open and closed elements.
I am concerned with both the appearance and the functionality. Open shelves provide the opportunity to display decorative items or frequently used objects within easy reach, while closed compartments offer storage for less attractive or seldom-used things.
How have you managed to create a balanced design that doesn’t look cluttered but remains practical? Are there particular combinations of shelves, doors, drawers, or inserts that work especially well together?
I would appreciate specific design tips, recommendations for arrangement, or advice on common mistakes when mixing open and closed elements in BESTA units.
Hello Lelandgi,
I find your question very well formulated and would like to respond with a structured approach.
1. Basically, the design at BESTA starts with considering the room size and purpose. Open compartments invite you to display attractive items, while closed ones serve to conceal. A common mistake is distributing open shelves randomly, which can quickly look cluttered.
2. My advice: group open compartments together as much as possible, for example in the center of the unit or in an area where they stand out particularly well. This creates a deliberate focal point.
3. To ensure functionality, position the closed elements so that you can store things easily without making the furniture piece look unbalanced.
4. Combinations of drawers at the bottom and doors or open shelves at the top are very popular. Drawers offer a good solution for smaller items that might look untidy.
5. When choosing colors, material finishes, and especially dimensions, make sure that open and closed areas harmonize. A balanced overall look is not a matter of chance, but of planning.
Summary: Clearly structured areas with open elements as accents and closed surfaces as a resting point optimally combine design and practicality.
If you have specific measurements or ideas, I can gladly provide more detailed design suggestions.
I find your question very well formulated and would like to respond with a structured approach.
1. Basically, the design at BESTA starts with considering the room size and purpose. Open compartments invite you to display attractive items, while closed ones serve to conceal. A common mistake is distributing open shelves randomly, which can quickly look cluttered.
2. My advice: group open compartments together as much as possible, for example in the center of the unit or in an area where they stand out particularly well. This creates a deliberate focal point.
3. To ensure functionality, position the closed elements so that you can store things easily without making the furniture piece look unbalanced.
4. Combinations of drawers at the bottom and doors or open shelves at the top are very popular. Drawers offer a good solution for smaller items that might look untidy.
5. When choosing colors, material finishes, and especially dimensions, make sure that open and closed areas harmonize. A balanced overall look is not a matter of chance, but of planning.
Summary: Clearly structured areas with open elements as accents and closed surfaces as a resting point optimally combine design and practicality.
If you have specific measurements or ideas, I can gladly provide more detailed design suggestions.
Hello Lelandgi,
you’ve already touched on a very important point: the balance between visibility and concealment is crucial.
I completely agree. Especially with BESTA, the many possible combinations can easily make the design appear cluttered.
I recommend first considering what you really want to display openly. For example, books, decorative accessories, or plants can bring open compartments to life.
Closed elements like doors or drawers are ideal for electronics (e.g., receivers, cables) or everyday items that you want to keep handy but out of sight.
In practice, the following has proven effective:
- Place open compartments in the middle or upper areas where they are easily accessible and visible
- Use closed doors or drawers for the lower part, depending on usage
- If you want to add DIY accents, you can design open compartments with illuminated surfaces or back panels – this creates additional depth
If you like, you can share your room size and the planned space, and I can suggest a layout as an example.
you’ve already touched on a very important point: the balance between visibility and concealment is crucial.
tolokau schrieb:
A common mistake is to place open compartments randomly, which can quickly look chaotic.
I completely agree. Especially with BESTA, the many possible combinations can easily make the design appear cluttered.
I recommend first considering what you really want to display openly. For example, books, decorative accessories, or plants can bring open compartments to life.
Closed elements like doors or drawers are ideal for electronics (e.g., receivers, cables) or everyday items that you want to keep handy but out of sight.
In practice, the following has proven effective:
- Place open compartments in the middle or upper areas where they are easily accessible and visible
- Use closed doors or drawers for the lower part, depending on usage
- If you want to add DIY accents, you can design open compartments with illuminated surfaces or back panels – this creates additional depth
If you like, you can share your room size and the planned space, and I can suggest a layout as an example.
Hey Lelandgi!
I’m really excited that you’re exploring BESTA – it’s such a versatile system!
I noticed with my combination: don’t be afraid to experiment a bit! Open and closed elements work really well together when you intentionally match them to your style. 🙂
My highlights:
- Open compartments with some colorful boxes inside – it adds color and texture
- Closed doors in a dark color have the advantage, for me, of keeping the room calm
- Variety through different heights and widths of the compartments makes the furniture feel lively
A tip: If you use open shelves, decorate them with items you truly like or use often, because otherwise it can quickly look messy. I’ve learned that less is more!
Have fun with your project, I’m sure it will look fantastic! 😄
I’m really excited that you’re exploring BESTA – it’s such a versatile system!
I noticed with my combination: don’t be afraid to experiment a bit! Open and closed elements work really well together when you intentionally match them to your style. 🙂
My highlights:
- Open compartments with some colorful boxes inside – it adds color and texture
- Closed doors in a dark color have the advantage, for me, of keeping the room calm
- Variety through different heights and widths of the compartments makes the furniture feel lively
A tip: If you use open shelves, decorate them with items you truly like or use often, because otherwise it can quickly look messy. I’ve learned that less is more!
Have fun with your project, I’m sure it will look fantastic! 😄
Lelandgi schrieb:
I care about both aesthetics and functionality. It’s interesting to have that classic goal. But honestly: do you really want to balance functionality and aesthetics equally, or should the piece ultimately be more about appearance than practical use?
From my experience with BESTA, the modular design often encourages getting caught up in design guidelines instead of radically simplifying.
Most people try to mix “open” and “closed” elements to fit as much as possible inside—but this usually hurts the overall look.
My provocative suggestion: choose either a very clean, closed design with a single exception for a large open element, or skip unnecessary drawers and doors to achieve a light, airy appearance.
A “proper” mix not only makes furnishing more complicated but often makes tidying up and everyday use more difficult. Sometimes less is more—especially here!
If you think differently, feel free to share your thoughts.
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