ᐅ How can I make IKEA Besta doors childproof?

Hello everyone,

I am currently considering making our Ikea Besta cabinet doors childproof, as our toddler is becoming increasingly curious and tends to meddle with them. I am particularly interested in options for securely locking the doors without significantly affecting the functionality or appearance of the furniture. It is also important to me that the solution can be removed without leaving any residue, in case the cabinet needs to be used differently later on.

Has anyone had experience with suitable child safety locks for Ikea Besta doors or perhaps effective alternatives? Tips regarding installation and whether any tools are required would also be helpful. I would appreciate any specific advice, product recommendations, or DIY ideas.

Thank you in advance!

danzar schrieb:
I’m particularly interested in the options for securing doors safely without significantly affecting the functionality or appearance of the furniture.

I completely understand your concern. Especially when children start exploring everything, you want to be extra cautious. We had a similar issue with our Besta doors and eventually chose magnetic child locks. They are fairly discreet and hardly affect the design. However, I’ve noticed that a stronger holding force is needed if the doors are opened and closed frequently. Check how active your child is, since that can quickly turn the lock into a weak point.

For context: Ikea Besta cabinet doors often come with simple rotary or push handles that are easy for small hands to open. Most commonly available child safety locks work either through clamping mechanisms, screw mounting, or adhesive pads.

To preserve the appearance as much as possible, I recommend:
- Magnetic child safety locks installed on the inside and hidden from view
- Adhesive latch locks mounted on the outside but relatively unobtrusive

Tools are often not required, especially for adhesive products. Screw-mounted solutions are ultimately more secure but more invasive. Please make sure to check the load capacity and user reviews before purchasing, as these directly affect safety.

I have had good experiences with so-called "rod locks" that can be installed on the side. These effectively prevent doors from being opened, especially when they have simple lever or latch mechanisms. They are usually made of plastic, can be mounted with screws or adhesive pads, and can be installed without significant DIY skills.

Additionally, I recommend carefully checking the attachment points to ensure the lock does not fail or come loose under stress.

boelnu schrieb:
I can completely understand your concern.

That is understandable, but my question is whether these magnetic locks will really hold up if the child pulls hard or tries to open the doors repeatedly. In general, I see the problem with many adhesive-based locks is that they are not permanently reliable over time, especially in homes with active children.

I would also recommend paying attention to material aging and the adhesion surfaces of the Besta doors. The surfaces might be smooth enough to make sticking difficult, particularly if the doors are painted or coated.

I always find it a bit funny how little ones seem to have real adventures with something as simple as cabinet doors. But jokes aside: we’ve found that flexible sliding locks installed on the inside work well. They hold securely but are easy to open once you’re a bit older.

A friendly tip: depending on the design, they can even look kind of cool and aren’t the outdated "child safety" type of devices you usually want to hide.