ᐅ Ikea Besta – is there a way to customize it with DIY handles?

Hello everyone,

I am considering customizing my Ikea Besta cabinets with homemade handles because I don’t like the standard ones and would prefer a more personalized look. My question is specifically: Is there a way to use the existing drill holes or attachment points on the Besta fronts to mount custom handles, possibly by adding extra holes or using different fasteners?

It is important to me that the solution is as reversible as possible, in case I want to return to the original look later, or so the new handles can be easily swapped out. Has anyone had experience modifying the Besta fronts, especially when it comes to attaching custom handles—such as turned wooden handles or metal ones not made by the manufacturer?

What advice can you offer regarding the drill holes, materials, and fastening methods? I really want to avoid damaging the material or making the front unstable.

Thanks a lot for your responses!

Hello Burtonge,

your question is very well formulated, and I can tell you that there are indeed common methods to equip Besta fronts with custom-made handles. Most Besta doors and drawer fronts come factory-drilled with standardized hole spacing.

- You can use these holes to attach your own handles. Often, it is enough to unscrew the original handle screws, attach your custom handle in the same position, and tighten it.
- If the measurements of your custom handles don’t match, you can carefully drill new holes. Make sure to use a drill bit with the appropriate diameter and drill slowly to avoid material damage, especially with particleboard.
- As an alternative to screwing, you can use strong double-sided adhesive tapes or mounting glue, but these are mainly suitable for very light fronts and occasional use.

Regarding reversibility: screws can usually be removed, and the holes can be filled—either with wood filler or matching cover caps that you insert into the holes.

Wooden handles can generally be fixed with normal wood screws, while for metal handles you should pay attention to the correct screw length to avoid pushing screws through the front.

If you need more information, I’m happy to provide details about tools and materials.

Takutau schrieb:
If the dimensions of the self-made handles don’t fit, you can mainly drill new holes carefully.

This is a crucial point: Besta fronts are usually made of coated particleboard or MDF, which can be a significant source of errors when drilling. Not only do the drill holes need to be very precise, but the drill bit used should be sharp and suitable for wood-based panels to prevent chipping at the edges.

- When drilling new holes, it is advisable to use a depth stop to avoid drilling through the front panel.
- It can also help to cover the front surface with painter’s tape to minimize chipping during drilling.
- Regarding screws: Ikea uses metric screws M4 or M5 here, which fit standard furniture handles.

For reversibility, screws with a metric thread are recommended, as they offer minimal material resistance when unscrewed. You should also be able to close the holes with matching decorative plugs if needed.

Closely related to this topic is the consideration of choosing handles with hidden screws (fastened from the inside), which improves the appearance.

Burtonge schrieb:
Is there a way to use the existing drill holes or mounting points on the Besta fronts to install custom handles, which might require additional drilling or different fasteners?

Yes. Use the existing holes. If your handle doesn’t fit, drill new ones. Be careful with the front panel, drill slowly and use the correct drill bit. The screws are M4, sometimes M5.

Burtonge schrieb:
I definitely want to avoid damaging the material or making the front unstable.

I completely understand that; I was also worried about ruining the front by drilling. I set the drill to a very low speed using an attachment and pre-drilled the holes – this way, the material didn’t get damaged.

I also made my own turned wooden handles from beech and attached them with short furniture screws, which I adjusted precisely to the thickness of the front. It was important to me that the screws were not too long, so they wouldn’t go all the way through.

If you want to be extra safe, you can also use adhesive handles, for example with strong mounting glue. They hold well but are not suitable for drawers with heavy use.

Good luck with your project – especially the combination of flat-pack furniture and custom handles often makes the piece much more unique.