Good morning everyone, I recently bought an Ikea Besta shelving unit and would like to use it as a storage solution for children’s toys. My question is, what are the best ways to make Besta systems child-friendly and functional so that they provide enough storage space while also being easily accessible and safe for kids? I have specific ideas regarding the organization of small items, puzzle games, or building blocks that tend to get lost quickly, as well as safety concerns to avoid sharp edges or dangerous doors that could hurt little ones. I would appreciate any ideas, experiences, or practical tips on how to adapt the Besta system optimally to meet the needs of child-friendly storage. Thank you very much in advance for your help!
Hello lenmin, I’m happy to help! I have personally experimented with the Ikea Besta for my toddler. As already mentioned, wall mounting is very important. I installed doors equipped with child-safe handles to prevent pinching. For small items, I use shallow plastic boxes that fit perfectly into the compartments. Larger toys go into open shelves or hanging baskets. Additionally, I left the bottom row empty so the child can reach things independently. Labels with pictures help with organizing. For edge protection, I attached foam strips myself. If you like, I can also give you some tips on what to watch out for when choosing the boxes.
Lisele schrieb:
It is also important to me that the storage space is safe and well-organized for my own children. Thank you, Lisele, that perfectly sums it up. I am especially concerned with how to optimize the shelves so that children can keep things tidy independently without me having to intervene constantly.
dopite schrieb:
If possible, avoid doors with knobs and instead use drawers with push-to-open mechanisms so that children can operate them themselves. That sounds interesting. Is there a specific recommendation for which drawer or box system is compatible with Besta?
SARBLA1 schrieb:
Labels with pictures help with sorting. I would like to implement that too but am unsure how to design it best so that children of different ages can use it. Does anyone have experience with this?
Regarding child-friendly drawers for Ikea Besta, there are indeed several compatible solutions:
- Ikea offers its own drawer inserts designed for Besta, which open easily and can be retrofitted with push-to-open mechanisms.
- You can also choose external manufacturers who follow the correct dimensions and provide soft-close or push-to-open features. It is important that the drawers are not too deep, to maintain visibility for children.
- Alternatively, modular plastic boxes from Ikea (e.g., Trofast) are often compatible and provide flexible organization, especially for small items.
- For labels, combining symbols and colors is recommended. Picture symbols are more meaningful for younger children, while older children can handle short text additions. Laminated cards or adhesive stickers work well.
- One tip is to introduce the organization playfully, so children quickly learn where everything belongs. This way, practical use is combined with a learning aspect.
- Ikea offers its own drawer inserts designed for Besta, which open easily and can be retrofitted with push-to-open mechanisms.
- You can also choose external manufacturers who follow the correct dimensions and provide soft-close or push-to-open features. It is important that the drawers are not too deep, to maintain visibility for children.
- Alternatively, modular plastic boxes from Ikea (e.g., Trofast) are often compatible and provide flexible organization, especially for small items.
- For labels, combining symbols and colors is recommended. Picture symbols are more meaningful for younger children, while older children can handle short text additions. Laminated cards or adhesive stickers work well.
- One tip is to introduce the organization playfully, so children quickly learn where everything belongs. This way, practical use is combined with a learning aspect.
lenmin schrieb:
Is there a specific recommendation for which drawer or box system is compatible with Besta?Higher-priced, custom-made drawer inserts could certainly be considered. However, the internal Besta extensions are also sufficiently functional. IKEA offers, among other options, the "Besta drawer unit" with a push-to-open feature. The simplest solution is sliding plastic inserts (e.g., Trofast boxes, as already mentioned), which can be placed into the compartments. Proactive edge protection is essential for safety and liability reasons.
I wanted to add that it’s definitely worth involving the child in setting up their space. This helps them stay motivated to keep things organized. I implemented a color-coding system at our place—each box had its own color, which was also visible on the shelf. This worked really well because the little ones learned it easily. And the point about drawers is true: doors with knobs were too complicated for us, so drawers or open compartments are better for toddlers.
As a supplement: Especially for small items such as LEGO bricks or puzzle pieces, I recommend boxes with separate small compartments. Additionally, I find it helpful to place the Besta shelving unit in a play area so that children know where the toys are stored and should be put back in an organized way. If you equip the unit with casters, be sure to use locks to prevent the shelving from moving.
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