ᐅ Assembling Ikea Besta: What common misunderstandings should be avoided?

Hello everyone,

I am planning to assemble an Ikea Besta system soon and want to avoid common misunderstandings that often occur in the instructions or during assembly. Specifically, I’m interested in knowing which typical mistakes or misinterpretations should be considered when putting together the Ikea Besta, so that, for example, holes aren’t drilled in the wrong place, parts aren’t mixed up, or drawers don’t get stuck later on.

I’m looking not just for superficial tips like “read the assembly manual carefully,” but for concrete advice based on personal experience about the main challenges—such as regarding pre-assembled parts, attaching the unit to the wall, or connecting the modules.

Who has practical experience and can point out the most common pitfalls to avoid when assembling the Ikea Besta?

A common mistake is often aligning the back panel incorrectly. This can result in unstable furniture and later issues when fitting the doors. Also, be sure to make the drill holes perfectly straight.

BARSAN schrieb:
A common major mistake is often misaligning the rear wall.

Thank you, that’s a good point! Which specific distance or orientation do you mean regarding the rear wall? Is the rear wall generally not secured using the pre-drilled holes, or is there a particular trick to adjust it correctly into position?

When assembling the Ikea Besta, the correct positioning of the back panel is critical, as it primarily ensures stability.
- The back panel is usually attached with small nails, and its alignment must be exact with the left and right edges.
- A common misconception is that the back panel should extend a few millimeters beyond the frame. This must not happen, as it causes tension and a warped frame.
- Before nailing, check that all modules are positioned at perfect right angles to each other.
- In short: place and fix the back panel correctly, and check all angles beforehand to avoid problems later with doors and drawers.

It is interesting that many consider the Ikea instructions to be completely error-free, even though with the Besta system, the fit of the modules is not always perfect.
- The guidelines for when to use which dowels and screws are often misunderstood.
- Some users believe they should screw in generously, but this can cause stress and material warping.
- A systematic approach with precise measurements is recommended here, even though it requires a lot of patience.
- This is a commonly underestimated mistake that can lead to creaking or misaligned doors.

What is also often done incorrectly: not taking wall mounting seriously. Ikea specifies it, but many avoid it. This can be dangerous, as the stability of tall units is compromised.